If you are in Canada, you start your refugee claim using a website called the IRCC Portal. You will answer questions and send in your BOC Form and documents through the portal. IRCC uses the information to decide if you can make a refugee claim. They also use this same information at your hearing to decide if you can get protection.
Once you start on the portal, you have 90 days to give your answers and send everything in. It is a good idea to prepare your documents first, to make sure you have enough time. (If you do not finish in 90 days, you must start over.)
Documents
Before you use the portal, these are the important documents to have ready:
- a complete Basis of Claim (BOC) Form
- your passport or travel document
- Use of a Representative form (if you have a representative)
- Declaration – Authorization for representative to submit refugee claim through the IRCC Portal (if your representative is doing the claim for you)