If you arrive in Canada at an official port of entry, you may start a refugee claim with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
A Port of Entry (POE) is:
- An international airport
- An official land border crossing
- A seaport
Tell the CBSA officer you meet that you want to make a refugee claim. They will start the process with you.
Understand the process of making a claim at a port of entry
Once you tell a CBSA officer that you want to make a refugee claim, they may ask you questions to decide if you are eligible to make a claim.
They will usually also complete the refugee claim forms with you, take your identity documents and/or passport, and take your fingerprints and photo (biometrics).
If the CBSA officer decides you are eligible to make a refugee claim they will give you:
- A Refugee Protection Claimant Document (RPCD)
- A letter that confirms your refugee claim has been referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB)
- Instructions about how and when to submit your Basis of Claim (BOC) form
- Instructions about how and when to complete your Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
If the CBSA officer does not determine your eligibility they will give you instructions about attending an eligibility interview at another date. If this happens, they will give you:
- An Acknowledgement of Claim document
- Instructions about how and when to complete your Immigration Medical Exam (IME)
- Instructions about how and when to complete your refugee claim forms – you may be told to complete these forms online through the IRCC portal
After you have returned for an eligibility interview, if you are found eligible you will receive your Refugee Protection Claimant Document, letter confirming your refugee claim has been referred to the IRB, and instructions on submitting your BOC form.
Detention
CBSA may detain you (hold you in custody) when you arrive at a Canadian port of entry. This may be because CBSA:
- is not sure who you are
- does not believe you will return later for more questions
- does not believe you can make a refugee claim and wants to remove you from the country
- believes you are dangerous
- knows you have a criminal record
If you are detained, contact a legal representative to find out if you can be released. You may qualify for a free or low-cost lawyer through legal aid. Find out more about detention here.