Refugee Visa

Foreign nationals frequently seek shelter in Canada if they are persecuted, in grave danger, or
unable to get security in their own country. Refugees are permitted to remain in Canada, are eligible
to seek permanent resident status, and eventually are eligible to apply for citizenship. Whether or
not the applicant will be granted refugee status will be decided by the Refugee Protection Division of
the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), an impartial body. In some circumstances, such as those
involving crime or security concerns, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada makes the
decision (IRCC).
1. Persons in Need of Protection
A human in Canada who, if returned to their country of residence or the nation where they
ordinarily reside, would personally suffer any of the following:
>> Physical/ mental/emotional torturing
>> A danger to their safety,
>> There is a chance of receiving harsh or unusual punishment if:
>> They cannot rely on their own country’s government to provide them with protection.
>> Even though others in or from that country do not often confront the danger, the individual
would do so in every region of the nation.
>> The danger is not a result of legal sanctions (unless those sanctions go against international
norms), and it is not brought on by poor health or medical treatment.
2. Convention Refugee
Convention Refugees are individuals who are residing outside of their place of origin due to a fear of
persecution and are unable to seek refuge there or re-enter it. They must have a legitimate fear of
being persecuted that is based on:
>> Ethnicity,
>> Religion,
>> Nationality,
>> Political views, or
>> Affiliation with a certain social group (that counts the groups that people cannot change,
such as gender, sexual orientation, past memberships, or groups they choose to join).
3. Country of Asylum Class
People who are not from Canada and are in refugee-like circumstances but do not meet the criteria
for Convention Refugees should apply under the Country of Asylum Class. An immigration officer will
classify a person as belonging to the country of asylum if they are found to have been, and are now
being, personally and significantly impacted by:
>> Civil war,
>> Hostilities, or
>> Grave human rights violations.