Canada Refugee Claim Self-Assessment Tool
Applying for asylum is one of the most complex legal processes in Canadian immigration. To help you understand your potential eligibility before you commit to legal fees, we have developed a free Refugee Claim Self-Assessment. This tool is designed to evaluate your situation against the core requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Table of contents
Understanding the Refugee Claim Criteria
When a person claims asylum in Canada, the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) does not just look at “fear.” They look for specific legal elements. Our Refugee Claim Self-Assessment screens for these critical factors:
1. Eligibility and Admissibility
Before a claim is heard, you must be eligible to make one. The system checks whether you are barred under the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) (for those arriving from the USA) or whether you have previously made a claim in a “Five Eyes” country (USA, UK, Australia, New Zealand).
2. The Definition of a Convention Refugee
To succeed, your fear must usually be linked to a specific “Nexus” or reason:
- Race or Nationality
- Religion
- Political Opinion
- Membership in a Particular Social Group (e.g., gender, LGBTQ+)
If your risk is purely personal (like a dispute over land or money) or due to generalized violence, it may not meet the threshold.
3. State Protection and Internal Flight
Canada expects you to seek help from your own government first. If your government can protect you, or if you can live safely in another part of your country (Internal Flight Alternative), your claim may fail. Our Refugee Claim Self-Assessment helps highlight these potential weaknesses in your narrative.
Take the Refugee Claim Self-Assessment
Please answer the questions below honestly. The form provides an immediate estimate of your claim’s strength based on the information you provide.
Disclaimer: This assessment is generated by an automated algorithm and does not constitute official legal advice.
Next Steps After Your Assessment
This tool provides a preliminary evaluation, not legal advice. If the Refugee Claim Self-Assessment indicates a strong or complex claim, we highly recommend booking a formal consultation. Refugee law has strict deadlines—especially for irregular entries—so acting quickly is essential.
If you are interested in visiting or immigrating to Canada, please complete our free assessment form.
There is no fee for this assessment. We will review your information and contact you if we identify a suitable immigration pathway or other meaningful option for you.
If you would prefer direct advice about your specific situation, you may book a consultation session. This is a paid service and includes formal immigration advice from a licensed Canadian immigration practitioner.
Al Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor, Queen’s University Faculty of Law
Instructor, Ashton College, Immigration Consulting Program
Author of 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada and Inadmissibility to Canada for Human Rights Violations
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