Canadian refugee system is not for those who seek a better life. It gives protection to refugees who have a well-founded fear of persecution. Learn more about the Canadian refugee system in this article.
Canada is an open and friendly country for refugees. However, a refugee application is not a free ticket to this country, and the Canadian refugee system is not designed to help people seeking a better life. It is created to protect those who can prove the fact of persecution or danger to life in their home country.
Filing a refugee claim is not a quicker way to bypass common immigration rules and procedures. The applicant should have legal reasons justifying the need for refugee status. Otherwise, it would not be granted.
Canada respects its international obligations to those who need help and protection. Nonetheless, the authorities must also ensure compliance with laws related to the protection of the safety and health of Canadians.
Once having applied for refugee status, you will face the strict procedure of defining the necessity of your protection. You will be removed from Canada if you have no legal rights and grounds to claim refugee status.
When refugees and asylum seekers come to Canada, the federal government runs tests and check-ups of the applicants’ personality, health and security. If the application is considered acceptable, the federal government is responsible for issuing a work permit and a temporary social insurance number. The Government of Canada also provides funding through the Interim Federal Health Program to finance medical services for asylum seekers while they await the decision on their application.
There is a number of criteria you should meet to be able to file a refugee claim. For instance, the absence or loss of the US Temporary Protected Status is not a sufficient cause to apply for refugee status in Canada — there are no temporary protected status programs in this country.
Learn more about the Canadian refugee system before you risk your life.
Are Asylum Seekers the Same as Immigrants?
No. An immigrant decides to to settle permanently in Canada. And an asylum seeker flees his country and asks for protection in Canada as he has fears of persecution or of danger to his life once he returns home.
Do All Asylum Seekers Stay in Canada?
Not all of them. It is up to the federal government and the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) to decide whether to allow asylum seekers to stay permanently in the country. The rate of acceptance depends on various factors.
Are Asylum Seekers Dangerous?
No. Those claiming asylum in Canada are immediately restrained and undergo security and medical checks prior to being issued a visa. If the tests show that an asylum seeker poses risk, he is prohibited to claim asylum. No asylum seeker enters Canadian society without undergoing security checks.
Are Asylum Seekers Holding Back Processing of Immigrants’ Applications?
No, asylum seekers’ applications are processed simultaneously with immigrants’ applications.
Asylum seekers’ applications are processed by the Immigration and Refugee Board. And immigrant applications and refugee resettlement applications are processed by the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Thus, refugee applications belong to a different system and do not hold back other applications.
Do Asylum Seekers Receive More Benefits Than Canadian Seniors and Veterans of War?
No, asylum seekers do not receive more government financial benefits than Canadian seniors or veterans of war. Asylum seekers work to provide for themselves and their families while their applications are being processed. In some cases, asylum seekers may apply for a temporary social benefit which is granted at the same rate as for anyone else.
Can Canada Send Asylum Seekers Back to Their Home Countries Without a Court Decision?
No. Asylum seekers’ claims are regulated by international treaties signed by the Canadian government. Thus, Canada has legal responsibility for asylum claims processing regardless of how the applicants come to the country.
Do Asylum Seekers Need Much Time to Get a Work Permit in Canada?
Work permits are normally issued within 3 weeks in order to allow asylum seekers to work and provide for themselves while they await the decision on their application.