What do you need to know about refugee protection?
Canada will protect your life
Canada takes your well-being and life very seriously, so much so that they have created a refugee protection program.
This program is extended to persons fearing for their life in their own country. Individuals seeking protection in Canada may receive permanent resident status if they prove that their life is being jeopardized.
Only eligible persons may seek refugee protection
Refugee protection is strictly regulated; therefore you must meet a certain criteria to receive protection in Canada. Based on the international refugee law, the refugee protection program is rigidly controlled by Canadian legislation; as a result seeking protection is not an easy process.
To qualify for this program, a refugee claimant must not only prove a fear for his life, but also demonstrate that this fear originates from certain circumstances. This person must also prove that they have no protection in their home country and no opportunity to flee the risk.
The reasons and grounds for persecution
The cornerstone of a refugee claim is the ground for persecution. It must either be correlated to race, nationality, religion and social or political group. Persons convicted of a serious crime are strictly prohibited from making a refugee claim. Also, if you were previously denied a refugee claim by the government of Canada, you will no longer be eligible for the program.
Claims must be supported by credible documents
As with any other immigration case, a refugee claim must be supported by documentary evidence. It is very important that a claimant provide credible and verifiable documents to prove that he embodies the definition of a refugee and is eligible for protection. Failure to provide such evidence on any level will jeopardize not only the claim but also the chances for resubmittal.
You must be in Canada to seek protection
Though technically there are options to claim refugee protection from outside Canada, they are very limited and cannot be implemented without financial support from a Canadian. Otherwise an individual can claim protection only when he/she comes to Canada; therefore in most cases a temporary visa to Canada is to be obtained first.
All the necessary documentation and associated fees (including airfare) to do so will be your sole responsibility. However there are immigration lawyers and specialist at your disposal in the event you decide to pursue their help.
Other important requirements to meet
There are a number of other requirements that has to be met in order to qualify for protection in Canada. One of them being, unable to change the country of living in order to avoid the risk, as well as demonstrating that the risk is not generalized, i.e. a claimant is not facing the same risks as everyone else in the same place.
Once all the requirement areas are satisfactorily covered, your eligibility becomes solid and you can look forward to a new beginning in Canada.
When to contact us
If you believe that you are eligible to seek protection in Canada, please contact us. We will help to assess your situation.
If you are not a genuine refugee and going to file a claim just because you want to live in Canada, please consider other immigration pathways.