How to Apply for Convention Refugees Abroad Class of Canadian refugees

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If you fulfill the conditions listed below, you could be considered for the Convention Refugees Abroad Class of Canadian refugees.

In order to qualify for Convention Refugees Abroad Class of Canadian refugees, you need to be outside of your home country, or the country where you normally live, and unwilling to return to that country due to a fear of being persecuted for either:

• race
• political opinion
• nationality
• religion
• membership in a particular social group, such as women or people with a particular sexual orientation

In addition, you must be:

• referred by the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), a different referral organization or a private sponsorship group
• either chosen as a government-assisted or privately sponsored refugee, or capable of supporting yourself and any dependants financially once you come to Canada
• able to pass a medical examination and security and criminal checks

You would not be able to apply if you:

• regain your citizenship in your home country voluntarily
• regain the protection of your home country voluntarily
• obtain citizenship in another country and gain their protection
• voluntarily return to live in the country you had left
• have another “durable solution”, like another offer of resettlement from another country
• no longer have reasons to fear persecution

How to apply

1.  Acquire an application package

All the necessary forms and a guide to the application are present in the package.  You can download it here.

2.  Read the instructions how to fill in the forms.

When completing the forms, either use a typewriter or print legibly in black or blue ink.  There are some forms that can be completed on the computer.

The following forms must be filled in:

• Application for Permanent Residence in Canada
• Schedule 1: Background/Declaration.  Even if they are not accompanying you to Canada, your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children who are 18 or older must complete this form
• Schedule 2: Refugees Outside of Canada.  Any family member that is 18 or older, and who will accompany you to Canada, must fill out this form
• Use of a Representative.  If you are interested in using the services of a representative when applying, you would fill in this form

Remember to carefully answer the questions, with detail and accuracy.

3.   Collect all the necessary documents

The application guide includes a checklist of documents that you are required to submit.  The guide also provides information about which visa offices require translations and/or certifications of your documents.  It is possible that at any point during the application process, a visa officer will request additional information that is not listed in the guide.

Refugee applications do not require a processing fee.

4.  Submit your finished application along with your documents

In some situations, it would be possible to mail your application to your local visa office.  Print your name and address on the top left corner of the envelope.

If your address or contact information changes, or if any information in your application changes, once you sent it, you must inform CIC.  This includes changes such as a marriage, divorce, birth or death in your family.

Once the visa office has received your application, they will send written confirmation, which will include your file number listed at the top.  You will need that number if you contact CIC for any reason.

Once you have applied, visit here for the next steps.

There is more than simply knowing how to apply for Convention Refugees Abroad Class of Canadian refugees – you might need help with the application itself.

The decision on whether you are eligible for refugee status may be based entirely on the information that you provide in the application.  As a result, you can not afford to make any mistakes by leaving out any details, or presenting false information.  An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer can assist you in completing the application properly.

Learn how to apply for Convention Refugees Abroad Class of Canadian refugees, and you’ll be one step closer to a comfortable life in Canada.