Refugee & Asylum Claims In Canada
Strategic Legal Guidance for Asylum Cases Involving Complicated Immigration Histories, Prior Applications, Criminal Issues, or Removal Proceedings
Received a Refusal, an Ineligibility letter, a CBSA Notice or a Removal date?
Deadlines may already be running, and some cannot be extended. Message us now on WhatsApp +1 973 476 8499.
Protection in Canada - When Returning Home is Not Safe
Select The Situation Closest To Yours - Where You Are Today
Just Arrived Or Thinking Of Making A Claim
Before you claim, we check eligibility, timing and what your claim may do to your current status. Acting early protects your options.
Waiting For Response To My Claim
We prepare your Basis of Claim, your evidence and you, so that you are ready for the IRB hearing.
My claim was Refused by the IRB.
The appeal clock has started. We assess whether you can appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division and build the appeal..
My Cliam Was Found Ineligible
The appeal clock has started. We assess whether you can appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division and build the appeal.
I have been accepted as Protected Person
We prepare your permanent residence application and protect your family's future.
I am facing Removal
We prepare your PRRA and work with CBSA on enforcement matters. Where Federal Court action is needed, we bring in a lawyer from our network and stay with you through the handoff.
Change in Asylum Rules in 2026. Timing Now Matters More Than Ever.
Bill passed in March’2026 mentioned two new reasons a claim can be ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board:
- The one-year rule: a claim made more than one year after your first entry into Canada, where that entry was after June 24, 2020, applies to claims made on or after June 3, 2025. Leaving and re-entering does not reset the clock.
- The 14-day rule: if you crossed the Canada–U.S. land border between ports of entry, you must claim within 14 days.
There are exemptions for Unaccompanied Minors.
If a claim is found ineligible, it is not sent to the IRB and there is no IRB hearing. Protection is assessed instead through a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). A PRRA is a paper-based review by an officer. It has no appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division and no automatic stay of removal if the decision is challenged in Federal Court.
Other changes to know:
- Leaving Canada voluntarily before the IRB decides your claim can cause the claim to be treated as abandoned.
- Some existing permits can be cancelled when a removal order comes into force. A temporary public policy may allow some ineligible claimants to obtain or keep a work permit. Eligibility is case-specific.
- The new rules are being challenged in court, and guidance is still developing. We track it and confirm current rules at your review.
The safest step is the earliest one. If you have been in Canada for close to a year, or have received a fairness letter from IRCC, book an urgent review now.
Our Process
Determine
We establish the facts: your story, your documents, your timeline and every deadline. We apply the same process to every case, and you can check your case status on our website at any time.
Define
We build your claim or appeal: a clear, consistent Basis of Claim, organized evidence, country-condition research and hearing preparation. Every query gets a response within 24 hours, and our emergency hotline is open at all times.
Deliver
We file on time, represent you and see the case through to a decision and beyond, including permanent residence. Advance payments and retainer funds are held in trust and released to us only once billed. See our Refund Policy.
When A Matter Needs A Lawyer
Our practice covers strategy, applications, submissions and representation through PRRA, admissibility and detention review preparation, and CBSA enforcement matters. Where a matter requires a lawyer, such as a Federal Court stay motion or judicial review, we refer you to a trusted lawyer in our network and remain involved through the handoff
Who We Represent
Individuals, families and organizations facing complex immigration matters.
What We Do
Eligibility review and claim strategy; Basis of Claim (BOC)drafting and evidence packages; Representation before the Immigration and Refugee Board; Refugee Appeal Division appeals; PRRA applications; Admissibility and detention review preparation; CBSA enforcement matters; Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) applications, where timing allows. Permanent residence for protected persons, including family members
Where We Refer
Federal Court work, such as judicial review and stay of removal motions, is handled by a trusted lawyer in our network. We stay involved through the handoff so nothing is lost.
The deadlines that decide cases
| Step | Deadline | Counted from |
|---|---|---|
| Basis of Claim (BOC) | Inland claims: submitted with the claim. Port-of-entry claims: generally 45 days. Confirm the exact date on your referral documents. | Date your claim was referred to the IRB |
| Medical exam | As instructed by IRCC, generally 30 days | Date of instruction |
| RAD: file Notice of Appeal | 15 days | Day you receive the RPD's written reasons |
| RAD: perfect the appeal (Appellant's Record) | 45 days | Day you receive the RPD's written reasons |
| PRRA application | As stated on the CBSA notice, generally 15 days | Day you receive the notice |
| Federal Court (leave application) | 15 days | Day you are notified of the decision |
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you guarantee an outcome?
No one can. Outcomes depend on the facts and the officer or tribunal. We give you an honest assessment of risk and options before you commit.
Is it too late for my case?
Often not, but deadlines are strict. If you have a removal date, hearing date or response deadline, request an urgent review now.
What happens at the first step?
A consultation to diagnose your case and outline your options. See Process & Fees for costs.
Do I have to speak to a lawyer?
Only if your matter requires it, such as Federal Court. We coordinate the referral and stay involved.
Documents To Submit for Your Review
- Identity: passport, national ID, birth and marriage certificates for you and every family member.
- Entry and travel history: visas, permits, entry stamps, boarding passes, IRCC and CBSA paperwork.
- IRCC and IRB documents: Confirmation of Referral, Notice to Appear, letters, fairness letters and every decision you have received.
- Evidence of your claim: police reports, summonses, arrest warrants, medical or psychological reports, membership cards, photos, messages, news reports.
- Family information: full details of all family members, in Canada and abroad. All family members must be declared on your permanent residence application, or you may not be able to sponsor them later.
Time Sensitive? Do not wait.
Tell us where your stand. We will respond within 24 hours
Protection Granted - Accepted is the Beginning of New Life
Once you are recognized as a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection, you can apply for permanent residence, and you can include your spouse or partner and dependent children, whether they are in Canada or abroad. Family members abroad who are included can apply within one year after you become a permanent resident. Family members who are not declared may not be eligible for sponsorship later. We prepare the application so that nothing is missed.
Kay Cee Immigration Services is led by a licensed RCIC-IRB. Outcomes depend on individual facts and are not guaranteed. Federal Court matters are referred to licensed lawyers.
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Is there a government fee to make a refugee claim? No. There is no government fee to make a claim or to have it heard by the IRB. Other applications, such as work permits, have their own fees.
Can I work or study while my claim is pending? Eligible claimants can apply for a work permit and a study permit, and a medical exam is required. Eligibility depends on your situation.
Will I have health coverage? Claimants are generally covered by the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
I have been in Canada for more than a year. Can I still claim? You can still make a claim, but it may be found ineligible for an IRB hearing under the 2026 rules. You may still have protection options, including a PRRA and other routes. Book an urgent review so we can check your dates.
Can I visit my home country during my claim? No. Returning voluntarily to the country you fear before the IRB decides can lead to the claim being treated as abandoned, and it can seriously damage your credibility.
What if my claim is refused? If you can appeal, you must file a Notice of Appeal with the Refugee Appeal Division within 15 days of receiving the written reasons. Other options, such as a PRRA, an H&C application or Federal Court review, depend on your case and on timing. Contact us as soon as you get a decision.
Can my family be included in my claim? Your spouse or partner and dependent children can usually be included. Family members abroad are handled through your permanent residence application once you are protected.
Can you guarantee the outcome? No representative can, and we will never promise one. We promise a clear strategy, honest advice and careful, on-time work.
BLOCK 12 — FINAL CTA (Full-width banner, same as other complex pages)
H2: Every day matters. Let’s look at your case together.
Text: Tell us where you are. We will tell you what your options are, what the deadlines are and what to do first. There is no judgment here, only clear answers.
Button 1: Book an Urgent Case Review Button 2: Book an Initial Consultation Line under buttons: Questions first? WhatsApp +1 973 476 8499. We reply within 24 hours.
BLOCK 13 — FOOTER NOTE (Small text)
Kay Cee Immigration Services. Kamini Chandra, RCIC-IRB, licensed by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). This page provides general information and is not legal advice. Laws, fees and processing times change, and your deadlines depend on your own documents. Federal Court matters are referred to a lawyer. No outcome is guaranteed. Last reviewed: September 2026.