At Pax Law, we understand how complex the legal process for refugee claims can be. Our experienced team of lawyers are dedicated to providing personalized service and professional representation in all matters relating to refugee claims and protections.
Introduction: Refugee Immigration Services
We provide legal advice on all aspects of the claim including eligibility assessment, filing documents, interviews with officials and appeals processes. Our knowledgeable and experienced lawyers have a thorough understanding of international, federal and provincial regulations related to refugee claims. We are also able to advise clients on issues such as family reunification and humanitarian status.
If you are interested in applying for refugee status, contact Pax Law today or book a consultation.
Who is considered a refugee in Canada?
According to the Canadian Refugee Protection Program, a person who is forced to flee his or her home country and cannot return because of a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group is considered a refugee. Canada’s Refugee Protection Division determines whether an individual meets the definition of a refugee.
Can I claim refugee status?
If you are the target of persecution in your home country and have a well-founded fear of returning to it, then you may be eligible to claim refugee status in Canada. To determine eligibility you must meet the definition of a Convention Refugee as outlined by the UNHCR, or demonstrate that you are in need of protection due to risk posed by circumstances such as armed conflict or a massive violation of human rights.
Refugee eligibility
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is an independent tribunal that makes the final decisions on refugee matters, they will assess your eligibility based on the following.
Convention refugee eligibility:
Convention refugees are outside of their home country, and are unable to returned based on well-founded fear of persecution by:
- Race
- Religion
- Political opinion
- Nationality
- Being part of a targeted social group (women, sexual orientation, other)
Person in need of protection eligibility:
A person in need of protection is a person within Canada who cannot return to their home country safely. This may be due to:
- Danger of torture
- Risk to their life
- Risk of cruel and unusual treatment/punishment
Learn more about making an asylum claim in Canada on the IRB website.
Your refugee claim may not be eligible if you:
- have been recognized as a Convention refugee by another safe Country
- arrived through the Canada-United States border
- have made a claim in another country
- are not admissible to Canada due to criminal activity or human rights violations
- made a previous claim that was rejected or not found eligible
- abandoned or withdrew a previous claim
Applying for a refugee status
Applying for refugee status can be complicated. The application process involves filling out the necessary forms, providing supporting documents and attending an interview with the decision-maker.
Your refugee application must be submitted perfectly the first time. The stakes are high and if your application is rejected, the cost for appealing the decision can be very high and if not done, you will be forced to be removed from the country. Making a refugee application is very different from making an application for Temporary Resident Visa (the “TRV”) visas such as tourist visa, study-permit, or work-permit because if your TRV application is rejected, you can reapply with relatively no serious consequence.
It is important to understand your rights and obligations during this process in order to maximize your chances of success. Our experienced refugee lawyers can guide you through the application process and help ensure a successful outcome.
Humanitarian and compassionate applications
If you cannot meet the definition of a refugee and are not eligible for refugee protection, you may still be able to make a humanitarian and compassionate application. A successful application can grant an individual permanent residency in Canada due to circumstances beyond their control or family ties in Canada
Refugee appeals
If your refugee claim is rejected, you can appeal the decision. Our experienced team of lawyers are skilled in navigating the appeals process and will work to ensure a successful outcome for your case.
Contact Pax Law today to discuss any questions or concerns you may have about applying for refugee status.
Assuring your highest chances of a successful refugee claim
Some of the ways to increase your chances of a successful refugee claim include:
- Consulting with an experienced lawyer early in the process to ensure you are prepared for all stages of the application.
- Assessing your eligibility as soon as possible so that you can take steps to address any issues before filing your claim
- Preparing a detailed written statement explaining why and how you meet the criteria for refugee status
- Gathering and submitting all required supporting documents
- Working with a lawyer to ensure that your application is completely filled out, accurate and ready for submission.
At Pax Law, we understand the importance of this process and will work to ensure that you are prepared for all stages of your application.
Are you looking for a refugee lawyer in Canada? We’re here for you!
Pax Law is committed to providing the best legal advice and representation for refugee claimants in Canada. Our team of experienced immigration lawyers provide high-quality service and strive to obtain successful outcomes for our clients. We will work with you every step of the way so that you can achieve your goal of safely migrating to Canada.
If you are interested in applying for refugee status, contact Pax Law today or book a consultation.