Canada Refugee Program
The Canadian refugee system is organized into two programs:
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The Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program, is for people who need protection and are located outside of Canada (often in resettlement, or refugee camps). The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), human rights groups and private community sponsors may appoint individuals for this program.
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The In-Canada Asylum Program is for those who have crossed the border and are claiming refugee status in Canada.
Who may claim protection as a refugee?
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A human rights activist persecuted by the state
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A union leader or student rights activist facing threats without government protection
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An LGBT (lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender) person facing violence and persecution
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A member of a religion persecuted by the government
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A member of an ethnic group facing persecution by the government
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An educator in a country that is being persecuted by the government
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A woman facing domestic violence endorsed by the government
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A person accused of opposing a government regime
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A child of an imprisoned political leader
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A witness of a massacre by government military forces
In Canada, refugee claimants enjoy certain rights and can have access to government services while their case for refugee protection is being considered by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects all people in Canada regardless of their race, religion, national or ethnic origin, color, sex, age, or physical or mental disability. Refugee status claimants may also apply for a work or study permit. The children of refugee status claimants are eligible to attend public schools.
Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program
Refugees who come to Canada have left their homes, and in many cases, they have had to live in refugee camps for many years. When they arrive in Canada, they have to start their lives over again.
The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR), along with private sponsors, identifies refugees for resettlement. A person cannot apply directly to Canada for resettlement. After they are identified, it takes time to process the cases.
Private sponsors across the country also help resettle refugees to Canada. Some do this on an ongoing basis. They have signed sponsorship agreements with the Government of Canada to help support refugees. These groups are known as Sponsorship Agreement Holders.
Sponsorship Agreement Holders can sponsor refugees themselves, or work with others in the community to do so.
Other sponsors, known as Groups of Five and Community Sponsors, are people or groups in the community who have come together to sponsor refugee(s). They do not generally sponsor refugees on an ongoing basis.
The Blended Visa Office-Referred (BVOR) Program matches refugees identified by the UNHCR with private sponsors in Canada.
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In-Canada Asylum Program
The asylum program works to provide refugee protection to people in Canada who:
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have a well-founded fear of persecution or
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are at risk of torture, or cruel or unusual punishment in their home countries
Not everyone is eligible to seek asylum. For example, people are not eligible to make a claim if they have:
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been convicted of serious criminal offenses or
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had previous refugee claims denied by Canada.
