A Convention refugee is a person who must be outside of their country of nationality or habitual residence and unable or unwilling to return to that country because of a well-founded fear of persecution for reasons of:
- political opinion
- membership in a particular social group. (CIC Website definition)
A claim for refugee status can be made at a port of entry or at a Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) office in Canada . CIC decides whether the claim is eligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The IRB determines the potential risk that could be encountered should the claimant be sent back to their country of citizenship.
Once a claim has been approved, refugees can immediately apply for Canadian Immigration. One of the many ways Canada helps and protects refugees is by providing refugees the right to work and stay in Canada permanently.
Refugees, who wish to leave Canada and travel to other countries after being determined a Convention Refugee, may apply for a "Protected Person Status Document." Once this document has been obtained, Refugee Travel Documents can be applied for from a Canadian Passport Office. These documents allow a refugee to travel without using their old passports.
NewWorld Immigration offers professional legal assistance for those who want to seek refugee status in Canada . Our assistance provides refugee claimants help:
- Obtaining refugee claimant papers;
- Filling in their "Personal Information Form" which is sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a final decision;
- Applying for a Social Insurance Number, social welfare, work or study permits while waiting for the refugee hearing;
- Preparing for the refugee hearing;
- Applying for refugee travel documentation.