To qualify for refugee status in Canada you must be referred by the United Nations, a supporting group, or a referring organization. People who are under fear of persecution or are forced to flee their home country can apply for refugee status. To be eligible for refugee status you must fall under either of the following classes:

Convention Refugee Abroad Class:

If you fall under convention refugee abroad class, you must be: 

• Outside of your home country.
• Unable to return to your home country due to fear of persecution because of race, religion, political instability, nationality, or sexual orientation.

Convention refugees will be required to opt for the Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program which will sponsor them by the government of Canada, private sponsors, or by a blended visa office referral. 

Country of Asylum Class:

If you fall under the country of asylum class, you must be:

• Outside your home country.
• Under the effect of civil war or armed conflicts.
• Denied basic human rights in your home country.

If you fall under the Country of the Asylum Class, you will opt for the In-Canada Asylum Program. You may also be sponsored privately and can also choose this program if you have the funds to support yourself along with your family to arrive in Canada. However, you will still require a referral by the UNHCR, a private sponsor, or a referral organization.

There are two types of program in the Canadian refugee system:

1. Refugee and Humanitarian Resettlement Program:

Refugee and humanitarian resettlement programs are for refugees who have been living in refugee camps for a considerable amount of time and are discovered by the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) and private sponsors. They aim to resettle refugees in Canada along with the support of the Canadian government. These private sponsors are known as Sponsorship Agreement Holders (SAH) and sponsor refugees privately or with other people in the community. The United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) also has a Blended Visa Office-Referred Program (BVOR) which aims to match refugees to private sponsors. These programs make sure there are no predicaments regarding health, security, and criminality while sponsoring refugees to Canada. 

2. In-Canada Asylum Program:

In-Canada Asylum Program is for refugees in Canada who have a fear of persecution and the potential threat of torture in their home countries. To be eligible for this program you must have no criminal convictions and any prior denied refugee claims. You must show legitimate reasons that you are a refugee and will go under a strict scrutiny process.

Ineligibility for Refugee Program

You may not be eligible for refugee claims if:

• You have alternative options for stable living such as in other countries.
• You achieved citizenship of another country which will provide you protection.
• You choose to return to the country you initially fled.
• The reasons why you were forced to flee cease to exist.

Refugee Integration Services

All refugees are provided help to settle down in Canada by the Canadian Government. The government aims to resettle refugees for a new beginning in their life, with the help of many partners and collaborations. The “Resettlement Assistance Program” assists refugees with services and income to help them start a new life once they are in Canada. Often the income is provided for about one year or until the refugees can support themselves. They are also provided basic social assistance such as airport pickups, help to find a place to live, information regarding settling in Canada, and other services.

Private Sponsors

Private sponsors are responsible for providing financial and emotional support to refugees they sponsor until they can support themselves. Private sponsors will be responsible for helping refugees find homes, providing food and clothing. Most sponsorships will assist refugees for at least one year. If the refugee falls under the Blended visa office referred category, he/she will get Resettlement assistance program income for six months.