Canada Refugee Visa
How to immigrate to Canada as a refugee
Canada Refugee Visa – Infographic Description
Eligibility
Refugee status from inside Canada
Officers receiving your refugee claim will decide whether it is eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), an independent administrative tribunal that makes decisions on immigration and refugee matters. The IRB decides who is a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection.
Apply at port of entry or at a CIC office, officers will review your claim and may refer it to the Immigration Refugee Board.
Get the application package
Appear for a hearing
Refugee status from outside Canada
Privately Sponsored Refugee
Convention Refugees Abroad and members of the Country of Asylum whose resettlement in Canada is supported by groups of individuals or organizations in Canada.
Government Assisted Refugee
The Canadian government provides accepted refugees with essential services through funding to Service Provider Organizations (SPOs) and also provides financial support through the Resettlement Assistance Program (RAP). The financial assistance is provided for up to one year from the date of arrival in Canada, or until you are able to support yourself, whichever happens first.
Self-supporting Refugee
As self-supporting refugees, you and your family must have enough money for basic necessities (e.g., lodging, food, shelter, clothing, etc.) once you arrive in Canada.
Application Package
The documents required vary from country to country</p>\n<p>Submit your application
Mail your completed application in a stamped envelope to the visa office that serves the geographic area where you reside
Immigrant loans
A person accepted for immigration to Canada may be eligible for financial assistance through one or more of the following loan programs:
Transportation loan
to cover the expense of travel to Canada.
Admissibility loan
to cover the costs of medical expenses related to your medical exams.
Assistance loan
to help disadvantaged newcomers cover expenses such as housing rental, telephone deposits or work tools.
If you are given an immigrant loan, you will be required to pay the loan back in monthly payment once you arrive in Canada.
Source:
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
Additional information
Designated Countries of Origin (DCO)
Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel (excludes Gaza and the West Bank), Italy, Japan, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, United Kingdom, United States of America.
Hearings on claims from a DCO people are expected to be held within 30 – 45 days after referral of the claim to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) as opposed to the 60-day timeframe for other refugee claimants. Failed DCO claimants will not have access to the Refugee Appeal Division, and will not be able to apply for a work permit upon arrival in Canada.
Every eligible refugee claimant, including those from a designated country of origin, will continue to receive a hearing at the IRB.
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