Updates
Please note that the situation is quickly evolving, and that while UNHCR will endeavour to update the below information regularly, asylum-seekers should also verify the information with Government authorities.
For those intending on claiming asylum in Canada
For those travelling to Canada by plane
The Canadian government has applied restrictions to air travel, effective March 18, 2020. Subject to limited exceptions, air carriers are required to deny boarding to any person who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, unless that person has resided in the U.S. for the past 14 days.
Links to information:
If you fall under one of the exceptions and arrive at a Canadian airport, procedures for making an asylum claim remain unchanged. Certain quarantine or isolation measures may apply following a medical screening. All persons entering Canada from another country, including the U.S., are currently asked to self-isolate themselves for 14 days. Find out the latest travel advice from Health Canada for travellers arriving in Canada.
For those coming to Canada through a land border
The Canadian government has applied border restrictions, effective March 21, 2020. Subject to limited exceptions, asylum-seekers who present themselves at a Canadian official land border post or who enter Canada irregularly in-between official land border posts will temporarily be sent back to the United States and be able to come back at the Canadian border once the measure is lifted. Exceptions apply to American citizens, parents with American minors, unaccompanied minors and habitual residents of the United States who are not citizens of any country (“stateless persons”). This is a temporary measure that will last until the pandemic ends. Watch the Canadian Prime Minister’s announcement on border restrictions and read section 4 of the Order.
For those who are already in Canada
You can make a claim at an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) inland office. Note however that IRCC will no longer be receiving refugee claims or interviewing asylum seekers in person from March 17 to April 13 inclusively. You are required to send instead your request by email to: [email protected]. Please provide a copy of the biographic page of your passport or a copy of another piece of identity (as the case may be). You will be contacted by email for next steps.
Once your request has been received, an Acknowledgement of Claim will be sent to you by email or mail. Once the office re-opens, you will be scheduled to return for fingerprinting and an interview.
For those who have a pending asylum application before the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB)
Temporary extensions of time granted for the Basis of Claim form
The IRB has extended the time for the deposit of the Basis of Claim (BOC) form. If your deadline to file the BOC form falls on or after February 15, it will be extended until 30 days after the date of the resumption notice which will be posted on the IRB’s website. Read the practice notice on the temporary extension of time limits for filing the Basis of Claim form on the IRB’s website.
Hearings postponed
For those who have a hearing scheduled before the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB, note that all hearings and appointments are postponed until further notice. You will receive a resumption notice 30 days before your new hearing date. Find out more about the IRB’s measures related to COVID-19 on the IRB’s website.
Submission of documents
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada front offices are closed. Effective immediately, in-person correspondence (hand-delivery) is no longer accepted. Read the instructions on sending correspondence on the IRB’s website.
For those filing an appeal before the Refugee Appeal Division of the Immigration Refugee Board (IRB)
Temporary extensions of time granted
The Immigration Refugee Board has allowed time extension for filing a notice of appeal and perfecting an appeal. If the deadline is on or after January 1, 2020, this date is extended until 30 days after the date of the resumption notice which will be posted on the IRB’s website. Read the practice notice on the temporary extension for time limits for filing a notice of appeal and perfecting an appeal on the IRB’s website.
Submission of documents
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada front offices are closed. Effective immediately, in-person correspondence (hand-delivery) is no longer accepted. Read the instructions on sending correspondence on the IRB’s website.
For those awaiting a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) hearing
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has suspended all PRRA hearings until further notice.
In regards to detained individuals
Precautionary measures have been taken to limit the risk of virus contamination:
- Detained individuals will attend their detention reviews by tele-conference or video-conference to avoid their transportation to the Immigration Refugee Board and limit the risk of virus contamination;
- Other hearing participants, for example counsel, hearings officers and bondspersons, may also take part in hearings by telephone or video-conferencing.
Find out more about the IRB’s measures related to COVID-19 on the IRB’s website.
For persons released from detention on reporting conditions
For people in Quebec released from detention with reporting conditions, the office where you had to report is closed from March 19 for an indefinite period.
As a temporary alternative measure, the persons concerned must now report by calling at 438-340-7985 or 438-340-8117.
Please note that if the phone line is busy, you must call back until you reach an officer. Please note that no voice message will be accepted and that the usual hours must be respected, that is to say from 8:00 am to 12:00 pm and from 1:00 pm to 4:00 pm.
Please note that all other release conditions still apply.
For those under a removal order
Suspension of the removals
The removals of people whose asylum claim has been refused by Canada will be paused for 3 weeks as of March 17, 2020.
For those who lost their income due to COVID-19
Asylum-seekers may benefit from the Canada Emergency Response Benefit. The federal government will provide a taxable benefit of $2,000 a month for up to 4 months to eligible workers who have lost their income due to COVID-19. Find out more about the eligibility criteria and the application process on the Government of Canada’s website.
Medical assistance
Access to COVID-19 clinics for free contagion testing is open to all people regardless of immigration status.
The Interim Federal Health Program coverage covers all diagnostic tests and treatments for the COVID-19, as well as any other medical situation (with rare exceptions).
For medical assistance about COVID-19, you can reach the following numbers:
- 1-877-644-4545 (Québec)
- 1-866-797-0000 (Ontario)
- 1-888-268-4319 (British Colombia)
- 1-204-788-8200 (Manitoba)
- 1-811 (Alberta)
- 1-811 (Saskatchewan)
Find out the latest information from the Government of Canada on COVID-19.
For more information on additional supports and up-to-date resources in your local community, please refer to your local Public Health Units or municipal information sites.
Latest update: April 8, 2020