Canada offers multiple pathways for people who need protection, from making an asylum claim at the border to resettlement through government and private sponsorship programs.
On This Page You Will Find
- Eligibility to claim asylum inside Canada
- What happens when you claim at the border
- How the Immigration and Refugee Board decides cases
- Government-Assisted and Private Sponsorship programs
- Blended Visa Office-Referred pathway
- Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot 2025
Refugee Protection in Canada – Core Principles
Refugee protection, often called asylum, is Canada’s commitment to people who cannot return home because of a well-founded fear of persecution, torture, or risk to life, or who face cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
Claiming Asylum Inside Canada
To start an in-Canada refugee claim, you first confirm your eligibility. A claim is ineligible if you already hold protected status, face a removal order, previously made an unsuccessful claim, or enter from the United States in circumstances covered by the Safe Third Country Agreement. Eligible claims are sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). If the claim is ineligible, you are referred to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) for removal.
Claiming Asylum at the Border
At a port of entry, tell a CBSA officer you wish to make a refugee claim. You must present identity documents, give biometrics, and complete an interview. Claims that meet eligibility rules are referred to the IRB; those that do not are refused and removal follows. Entry from the United States may trigger Safe Third Country Agreement restrictions unless an exception or exemption applies.
Proving Refugee Status – The IRB Hearing
The IRB is an independent tribunal that decides whether you qualify as a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection. You must show persecution based on race, religion, political opinion, nationality, or membership in a particular social group, or demonstrate risk of torture, loss of life, or cruel and unusual treatment. If your claim is rejected, abandoned, or withdrawn, you must leave Canada and cannot claim again.
Resettlement from Outside Canada
People outside Canada cannot apply directly for resettlement; they must be referred by the United Nations Refugee Agency, a designated referral organisation, or a private sponsorship group. Two classes exist:
- Convention Refugee Abroad Class – for those with a well-founded fear of persecution.
- Country of Asylum Class – for those seriously affected by civil war, conflict, or ongoing human-rights denials.
Refugees must also pass medical, security, and criminal checks. Quebec selects its own candidates under separate rules.
Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR)
Under the GAR program, the UNHCR or another referral body identifies refugees for Canada. The federal government or Quebec funds settlement support for up to one year or until self-sufficiency, delivered through community service providers. A dedicated stream annually resettles up to 250 human-rights defenders and their families.
Private Sponsorship of Refugees (PSR)
Private Sponsorship lets Canadian groups support refugees for one year. Sponsors furnish housing, financial assistance, and emotional support. No processing fees apply, and sponsors cannot seek repayment. Quebec runs its own PSR process. Sponsorship Agreement Holders are organisations with federal agreements to manage cases, while Groups of Five and Community Sponsors are volunteer collectives.
Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program
The BVOR program matches Canadian sponsors with refugees already identified by referral organisations. Private sponsors provide six months of financial aid plus a full year of settlement help; the federal government supplies the other six months of financial support. The program strengthens communities by allowing Canadians to contribute directly to global resettlement efforts.
Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot (EMPP)
The EMPP links skilled refugees and displaced people with Canadian economic immigration streams.
- Federal EMPP: Job Offer and No Job Offer options.
- Regional EMPP: Applications through the Atlantic Immigration Program or a Provincial Nominee Program.
Fees are waived and processes streamlined, helping employers address labour shortages while fulfilling humanitarian goals. The EMPP is an economic pathway, not a resettlement program.
Demonstrate Genuine Need
Canada’s refugee system balances humanitarian commitments with orderly processes. Whether seeking asylum in Canada or resettlement from abroad, applicants must meet clear eligibility rules and demonstrate genuine need. Multiple sponsorship models and the innovative EMPP broaden opportunities for protection while enriching Canadian communities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who qualifies to claim asylum in Canada?
Anyone already in Canada or at a port of entry who fears persecution, torture, or severe harm back home may claim, provided they meet eligibility rules and are not barred by previous claims, criminality, or Safe Third Country Agreement limits.
What is the role of the Immigration and Refugee Board?
The IRB holds a hearing to decide if a claimant meets the definition of a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection. It weighs evidence and determines whether Canada should grant protection.
How does private sponsorship differ from government assistance?
Government-assisted refugees receive financial help funded by Canada or Quebec for up to one year. Privately sponsored refugees rely on volunteer groups that provide comparable support for the first year without charging the refugee.
Can refugees apply directly for resettlement from overseas?
No. Applicants must be referred by the UNHCR, a designated organisation, or a private sponsorship group. Self-applications are not accepted under Canada’s resettlement system.
What makes the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot unique?
The EMPP allows skilled refugees to immigrate through economic streams rather than traditional resettlement. It removes fees, speeds processing, and meets Canadian labour needs while offering refugees a permanent, sustainable future.
