While you wait
As soon as we confirm your asylum claim is eligible and complete, you might be eligible to work, study and access support services while you wait for your hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Keep your information up to date
To avoid delays, make sure to update your address or contact information.
On this page
- Replace your refugee protection identity document (RPID)
- Work while you wait
- Study while you wait
- Get temporary health care
- If you want to withdraw your claim
Replace your refugee protection identity document (RPID)
If you’re waiting for a decision on your claim and your RPID (formerly the RPCD) is expired, lost, stolen or damaged, you can apply to replace it.
Work while you wait
You need a valid work permit to legally work in Canada.
If you asked for a work permit when completing your claim online, we’ll mail it to you after you submit a complete application and pass your immigration medical examination.
As soon as you receive your work permit, apply for a social insurance number (SIN). Once you have your SIN, you can look for a job and register for the Job Bank.
If you didn’t ask for a work permit when completing your asylum claim
If you already completed your asylum claim but didn’t ask for a work permit, you can apply for one separately.
With your application, you need to include the following:
- a copy of your RPID
- proof that you passed your immigration medical examination
- proof that you need a job to pay for your basic needs (like food, clothing, and shelter)
- proof that the family members you’re requesting permits for are with you in Canada and also claiming asylum
You don’t need to pay any fees.
Extend your current work permit
If you already have a work permit, you must apply to extend it before it expires. You can still work while you wait for a decision on your extension.
To prove that you can still work, you can show your
- expired work permit
- proof of your application for an extension, including
- a copy of your application
- confirmation that it was sent and delivered before your work permit expired
If you let your work permit expire before you apply to extend it, you will have to submit a new application and stop working while you wait for a decision.
Study while you wait
Adult asylum claimants need a study permit for engaging in academic, professional, vocational or other education or training that is more than 6 months.
Minors (under 18 years of age) don’t need a study permit to go to kindergarten, elementary or secondary school. Their RPID (formerly the RPCD) can be used for school registration.
How to apply for a study permit
- Get a letter of acceptance from a designated learning institution.
- Apply for a study permit online.
- Pay the fees.
Extending your study permit
You must apply to extend your study permit before it expires.
You can still study while you wait for a decision on your extension.
To prove that you can still study, you can show your
- expired study permit
- proof of your application for an extension, including
- a copy of your application
- confirmation that it was sent and delivered before your study permit expired
If you let your study permit expire before you apply to extend it, you’ll have to submit a new application and stop studying while you wait for a decision.
Get temporary health care coverage
As an asylum claimant, you have access to temporary health care coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
This coverage
- pays for your immigration medical examination and any related tests
- lasts until you get provincial or territorial health insurance, until 90 days after you become a protected person, or until you leave Canada
IFHP coverage is cancelled automatically if you withdraw your claim or if the IRB declares your claim abandoned.
Withdrawing your eligible claim
If you withdraw your asylum claim
- your removal order will come into force
- any future asylum claims will be ineligible
How to withdraw your eligible claim
If you didn’t get a confirmation of referral letter
You can ask to withdraw your claim by using the web form.
We’ll send you a form to complete and return. Once you return the form and we confirm it’s complete, we’ll tell you when your claim has officially been withdrawn.
If you do have a confirmation of referral letter
If we’ve already sent your claim to the IRB, you need to complete the Notice of Withdrawal of a Claim for Refugee Protection (opens in a new tab) form and send it to the IRB.