IRCC refugee claim portal and work permit application

Disclaimer: You should follow the written instructions that CBSA or IRCC gave you when you entered Canada. This page includes general information.

When to submit the forms through the IRCC portal? 

IRCC portal: https://ircc.canada.ca/visit-visiter/en/get-account-ircc-portal

Note: It is recommended that everyone who recently claimed asylum in Canada completes their refugee claim in the IRCC portal.  

1. If upon arrival to Canada, you received an appointment date for your brown paper in late 2023, 2024 or 2025, you can submit the forms through the IRCC portal for the possibility of obtaining an earlier admissibility appointment date (brown paper appointment). Completing the IRCC portal will provide the government of Canada an updated address to send your work permit(s).
   
   
2. If you received the brown paper upon arrival in Canada, you must complete your asylum claim through the IRCC portal within 45 days of entering Canada. 

Please note that using the online application will allow you to ensure that your application is complete and free of mistakes, this will avoid delays. You can use a computer or a mobile device when using the portal.

If you are unable to complete your refugee claim through the IRCC portal, you can send the forms by email. You will require adobe Acrobat 10 (which does not work on tablets or mobile phones) to complete the forms. Submitting incomplete forms may cause additional delays in the processing of your asylum.

For information on how to submit a paper application, click here.

Why is it important to submit the forms through the IRCC portal? 

If you received your brown paper upon arrival in Canada

1. You must submit your forms through the IRCC portal to complete your asylum claim within 45 days of entering Canada
2. To apply for a work permit for you and your family (if applicable)

If you did not receive your brown paper upon arrival in Canada

1. You must submit your forms through the IRCC portal to obtain an earlier admissibility appointment (brown paper appointment) 
2. To apply for a work permit for you and your family (if applicable).

Note: CBSA has confirmed that they will soon transition to the IRCC Portal for port of entry claims, and will stop using the Canadian Refugee Protection Portal (CRPP). The transition is expected for March 10th, 2023. All the information on this article is updated as of March 10th, 2023.

Steps to follow to complete your refugee claim online through the IRCC portal 

Note: If you previously created an account you can sign in using your password, if you do not remember your password you can click “ forgot your password”

 

If you don’t have an account follow these steps:

Step 1: Create an IRCC portal account by visiting the following link

https://ircc.canada.ca/visit-visiter/en/get-account-ircc-portal

In order to create an IRCC portal account you must enter a valid email address and click “get invitation code” to receive an invitation code. 

Step 2: Copy the invitation code by clicking “Copy to clipboard” and click “continue to the IRCC sign-up page” button.

Step 3: You will be directed to a sign up page where you have to paste your invite code, enter your email address and create a password. 

Note: The password must include at least 8 characters and no more than 15, must an upper letter, a lower case letter, one number and one special character (@#-.$,&*)

Step 4: Read and accept the terms and conditions

Step 5: In the portal, click on “Make a refugee claim”

Step 6: Read and accept the instructions and click on “start application”.

Step 7: Start answering all the questions. If you answer a question wrong or if you do not follow the specified format, you will receive an error when clicking “next”.  Please note that if you need to step away from the application you can click on “next” to save your information. You will have 90 days from the start of your portal claim to finish the application. 

Important note: At the end of your online application, you will be asked to upload the Basis of claim (BOC) under supporting documents. If you do NOT have your brown paper, you do NOT have to submit the Basis of claim, you can upload your Acknowledgment of claim or Confirmation of referral. You need to upload one of the mentioned documents to complete your application. 

When you’re ready to submit your claim through the IRCC portal

Note 1: Sending the application through the IRCC will NOT negatively impact your refugee claim. In fact, it will allow you to accelerate the brown paper appointment and the work permit. 

Note 2: If you do not have your brown paper yet, you do not have to include the BOC/FDA form. Instead, you must attach your acknowledgement of claim. 

 

Step 1: Electronically sign your name in the textbox. Remember to read the consent and declaration before signing.

 

Step 2: Complete your claim by clicking on “Submit application”. Please note, once you click this, you cannot add or modify information. 

 

Step 3: You should get a message saying “Success! Your application has been submitted.” 

 

In 24 hours you will get a confirmation message in your portal account (not by email). You will also receive a PDF copy of your application. It is recommended that you download a copy of your records. 

 

Possible technical problems with the IRCC portal and recommendations

• It may take up to 5 days to see your application in your account after you submit it . If you don’t see it after 5 days, report a technical problem through their web form. This won’t delay your claim.
• Make sure to follow the format given for the dates, postal code, and other required information. If you don’t follow the given format, you will receive an error message and you won’t be able to save your information. 
• If you need help answering the question, you can use the IRCC guide IRCC guide 

Guide 0174 – Application Guide for Inland Refugee Claims Submitted through the IRCC Portal - Canada.ca

• The IRCC portal can be translated to the language of your preference. However, your answers must be in French or English. 
• In case of a glitch of the portal you can re-open it with another browser or wait a while. The portal sometimes bugs completely.

Recommendations 

• Tell the truth about everything, don't hide anything, for example, criminal arrests, detentions, etc. 
•  Restrict yourself to answer what is requested in the portal and consult a lawyer for further information about sensitive details about your  history of persecution in the country of origin, political involvement or involvement with sensitive organizations, criminal past.

For information on how to find a lawyer click here

• Ensure that the portal reflects reality. In case of doubts, attach a short signed letter, for example: ''I filled out this portal as best I could, on my cell phone, using google translate, because I don't speak French or English, I filled it out as accurately as possible, I don't have a lawyer yet''
• Take the time to remember dates, addresses, etc. especially about your country of origin to avoid contradictions in the future.
• For dependent children, it is possible to have a broad approach and include children not officially adopted, then discuss with the lawyer.
  

Steps to follow if sending the forms by e-mail

Note: If you are unable to complete your refugee claim through the IRCC portal, you can submit a request for a paper application to [e-mail] 

*Producing a paper application requires completing the forms using Adobe Acrobat 10 (which does not work on tablets or mobile phones) and reviewing them yourself. Submitting incomplete forms may cause additional delays in the processing of your asylum. It is recommended to use the online portal for a faster answer. 

Steps to follow:

1. The forms should be filled as PDF (you will need Adobe). If you're unable to fill them electronically.
2. For information where to find the forms in PDF format click here.
3. They must be completed in English or French
4. Email the forms to [e-mail]

For general advice on how to fill out the forms click here. If you need help understanding the questions of the forms, you can use this immigration guide on how to fill out the IMM 0008 and the IMM 5669 Complete IMM 0008 and IMM 5669 - Canada.ca.

Note: In the email include the following information

Subject: UCI and full name

Email: UCI, full name, email address, phone number and city.

Note: If you are moving out of Montreal, you may announce to immigration that you would like your process changed to another city. If you do not receive a confirmation from IRCC and you move to another province, you must come back to Montreal for your original appointment. 

You must attach in the email all the forms mentioned below

NOTE: In order to open the forms on a computer, you need to download Adobe Reader. 

• Imm 0008 - Generic application form for Canada 
• Imm 0008DEP - Additional dependents/ Declaration form
• Imm 5669 - Appendix A - Background / Declaration 
• Imm 0008 Schedule 12 - Additional information - Refugee claimants inside Canada

Where to find the forms in PDF format

You can find the forms in the following link: 

https://www.canada.ca/fr/immigration-refugies-citoyennete/services/demande/formulaires-demande-guides.html

Select find “A form or a checklist” and download the requested forms. Please note that once you select the form it will open on your browser and will give you an error message, you must download the form in your computer by clicking “save” and manually open it using Adobe reader.

General advice to fill out the forms 

• It is recommended to take your time to read and understand the forms. You may use the immigration guide to better understand the questions. 
• You may use extra paper if there is not enough space on the form (specify the name, the form number, and the question you’re answering).
• All the information given should be accurate, truthful and factual, if there are errors or omissions it can affect your credibility and have consequences for the asylum application. 
• Ensure all the forms are signed, complete and translated to English or French to avoid delays. 
• Please note that all the information submitted will remain on file throughout the asylum application and is subject to reviews by the commissioners. It is recommended to keep copies of all submitted forms. 
• It is an option to have assistance from a representative (lawyer or consultant) for this step, however legal assistance is not mandatory to complete the forms.

Note: If you submitted your application through the IRCC portal, you will not receive an email confirmation. However, you will be able to see the status of your application on the Portal. 

Note: If you submitted your forms by email, it is important to check your spam or junk folder in your email because messages from the CBSA can end up in these folders. The reply email from CBSA comes from [e-mail] If you do not receive an answer from CBSA with a new interview date, you must show up at the original appointment date.