Refugee program

Key Aspects of Canada’s Refugee Program:

1. Two Main Refugee Streams:

   • Resettled Refugees:

     • These are individuals who are outside their home country and are selected for resettlement to Canada by the Canadian government, often in collaboration with international organizations like the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

     • Resettled refugees typically come through one of three programs:

       • Government-Assisted Refugees (GARs): These refugees are selected by the government and receive financial support and essential services from the federal government for up to one year.

       • Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSRs): These refugees are sponsored by private groups, such as community organizations, faith-based groups, or groups of individuals. Sponsors are responsible for providing financial and emotional support to the refugees for up to one year.

       • Blended Visa Office-Referred Program (BVOR): This is a hybrid program where the government and private sponsors share the responsibility of supporting the refugees.

         
         

   • Inland Refugees (Asylum Seekers):

     • These are individuals who are already in Canada and claim refugee protection from within the country. They may have entered Canada legally or illegally, and they apply for asylum upon or after arrival.

     • Their cases are assessed by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), an independent tribunal that determines whether the claimant meets the criteria for refugee protection under Canadian and international law.
       

2. Eligibility and Screening:

   • Refugees must meet specific eligibility criteria to be considered for protection. This includes demonstrating a well-founded fear of persecution based on race, religion, nationality, political opinion, or membership in a particular social group.

   • Canada also screens applicants for security risks, criminal records, and other factors that might make them inadmissible to the country.
     

3. Resettlement and Integration:

   • Once refugees are accepted, they are provided with various supports to help them integrate into Canadian society. This includes language training, employment services, healthcare, housing assistance, and education.

   • Resettled refugees may receive support from government agencies, private sponsors, or a combination of both.
     

4. Permanent Residency:

   • Refugees who are accepted into Canada are granted permanent resident status, which allows them to live, work, and study in Canada. After fulfilling the necessary residency requirements, they may also apply for Canadian citizenship.
     

5. Canada’s Commitment to Refugees:

   • Canada has a long-standing commitment to refugee protection and resettlement. The country regularly admits tens of thousands of refugees each year and has been recognized internationally for its efforts in providing sanctuary to those in need.

   • The number of refugees Canada resettles annually is determined by government targets and international commitments, and the country has consistently increased its resettlement numbers in response to global refugee crises.