Refugee Protection & Status

You can claim protection at a port of entry or from within Canada. Your claim is referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, where you must show a well-founded fear of persecution or a risk to your life or safety. A clear, consistent Basis of Claim narrative and strong evidence are essential, and early mistakes are hard to undo.

The Basis of Claim is the written account of why you need Canada’s protection — the heart of a refugee claim. It must be consistent with your testimony and your evidence, because inconsistencies damage credibility at the hearing. Careful preparation of the BOC is one of the most important parts of a claim.

Many refused claims can be appealed to the Refugee Appeal Division, and others can be challenged by judicial review at the Federal Court. There may also be a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. Deadlines are short, so it is important to act immediately after a refusal.

Yes. Inna Kogan works in Ukrainian and Russian and assists people displaced by war and persecution, preparing claims, Basis of Claim narratives and hearings so that a claimant’s story is documented, consistent and properly heard.