In-Canada Asylum Program
The asylum program works to provide refugee protection to people in Canada who:
- have a well-founded fear of persecution or
- are at risk of torture, or cruel or unusual punishment in their home countries
People are not eligible to make a claim if they have:
- been convicted of serious criminal offences or
- had previous refugee claims denied by Canada.
Pre-Removal Risk Assessment
The PRRA is an opportunity for people who are facing removal from Canada to seek protection by describing, in writing, the risks they believe they would face if removed. Persons whose PRRA applications are approved may stay in Canada.
LGBTQI+ Refugees
Canada has a proud history of providing protection to and helping resettle those most in need. That includes those in the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, and additional sexually and gender diverse (LGBTQI+) community.
As part of the in-Canada asylum program, people facing persecution in their home country because of their SOGIESC can seek refugee protection in Canada.
To support this inclusive system, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), which determines refugee status, has put guidelines in place to promote greater understanding of asylum cases involving SOGIESC, as well as barriers a person may face due to social nonconformity.
SOGIESC. An acronym for sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression and sex characteristics.
