Start a claim from inside Canada
We’ve made changes to the Canadian asylum system Nov 3, 2026
If you already submitted a claim, we’ll process it as usual.
If you started a claim in the IRCC Portal before November 3 but didn’t submit it:
- you’ll need to answer new questions and review old ones
- your personal information has been saved
If you’re in Canada, you need to send us some information and documents in the IRCC Portal first. We’ll then invite you to an in-person interview where:
- you can officially make your asylum claim to an officer
- we check if your claim is eligible
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Prepare your documents
Get a scanner or camera ready to make copies of your documents.
You and each family member claiming asylum will need to upload a copy of a passport, travel document or other identification document.
If you’re getting help with your application from someone else
You can ask someone to help you with your application.
There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:
If you’re using a paid immigration representative
Paid representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).
If you want to use a paid representative, you must:
- download the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- complete and sign it
- get your representative to sign it
- upload it with your application
A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own account. They can also:
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about the forms
They can’t:
- open a portal account on your behalf
- electronically sign the application for you
- sign in to the portal using your username and password
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.
If you’re using an unpaid representative
Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be:
- family members
- friends
- anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee
If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must:
- submit the Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) form
- complete and sign it
- get your representative to sign it
- upload it with your application
An unpaid representative can:
- help you open a portal account
- fill out forms for you, but not sign them
- communicate with us for you
- help you prepare the documents you need to upload
- answer questions about forms
They can’t electronically sign the application for you.
After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.
If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative
You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t:
- advise you on which program to apply for
- complete or update your application as you
- act as you when dealing with us
They can help you:
- use our website to find information
- access a computer, scanner or printer
- navigate our portals and accounts in your presence
- view and open electronic forms
- download/upload documents
- get your documents translated
- make travel plans
a) Gather personal evidence
You can upload documents that prove you need protection from your home country. This is called personal evidence.
We won’t use it to decide if your claim eligible at this time, but we’ll ask for the documents later and some can take a longer to find or get.
If your claim is eligible, you can keep uploading personal evidence when you complete your claim.
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Create an IRCC Portal account
Use one account for you and any family members wanting to claim asylum at the same time.
You can’t change the email address associated with your account once you sign up, so make sure you have continued access to the email account.
If you can’t apply online and need accommodations
You can ask to submit your claim on paper if you can’t submit online for accessibility reasons.
Before you contact us about applying on paper
If you’re having difficulty applying online:
- ask a friend, family member, community member or representative for help
- contact a local non-governmental or community organization that can help asylum claimants
How to ask for a paper application
Send an email to IRCC.RefugeePortalExemption-ExemptionPortailRefugies.IRCC@cic.gc.ca explaining why you can’t submit an application online. This could be because you:
- have a disability that makes it difficult to use the online application
- have another valid reason for needing to apply on paper
We only reply to emails about requests to apply on paper from claimants who are already in Canada.
We review your email request
We review your request and respond within 2 business days.
If you’re eligible to apply on paper, we’ll send you an email with:
- a confirmation your request has been approved
- an instruction guide
- all the forms you need to complete to start a claim
- a request for your contact information
If you’re applying with family
Each person must meet the requirements to claim asylum.
You’ll be asked to name one person as the main applicant in the IRCC Portal.
If the main applicant’s asylum claim is ineligible, another family member must take over the application using the same email address and password.
Who counts as family
Family members can include your:
- spouse or common law partner
- dependent children
- dependent children of dependent children
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Start your claim in the IRCC Portal
Sign in to your IRCC Portal account and select Make a new refugee claim or continue a claim made to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
We’ll ask you to:
- enter information about yourself and any family members claiming asylum with you
- answer questions about your backgrounds
- upload required documents, depending on your answers
Answer all questions truthfully—it’s a serious offence to provide false or misleading information on your application.
If you need help, use the application guide.
If your application is complete, we’ll send you instructions and a date for your eligibility interview.
If we need more information or documents, we’ll message you in the IRCC Portal to let you know:
- what you need to send us
- the deadline for sending it
If you don’t send us the missing information on time, we’ll close your file. Because we haven’t made a decision on the eligibility of your claim, you can reapply in the future.
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Go to an eligibility interview
The eligibility interview is where:
- you officially make your asylum claim to an officer
- they decide if your claim is eligible
Don’t miss your interview. If you miss it, we’ll close your file. Because we haven’t made a decision on the eligibility of your claim, you can reapply in the future.
What to bring to your interview
Everyone on your application must bring:
- original passports and travel documents
- any other identification documents you may have
What happens at your interview
An immigration officer will ask you questions about who you are and the information you sent us. The officer will also:
- seize the original travel documents and give you certified copies
- fingerprint everyone age 14 and older
- photograph every family member
After your interview
At the end of the interview, the immigration officer will tell you whether your claim is eligible.
If your claim is eligible
If your claim is eligible, the immigration officer will give you:
- a conditional removal order
- This won’t be enforced unless your claim is withdrawn, abandoned or rejected by the Immigration Refugee Board.
- a Notice of Application Due Date document and instructions on how to complete your claim online in 60 days
- a Refugee Protection Identity Document that confirms your identity and asylum claim, and lets you access temporary health care coverage
- instructions for your immigration medical exam
- a package with important information on the asylum process and your temporary health care coverage
If your claim is ineligible
Find out what happens if we decide your claim is ineligible.