Overview of the Refuge Process

• Citizenship and Immigration Canada ("CIC"): this federal government agency is responsible for screening and starting your refugee case. If CIC finds you eligible for starting your refugee claim they will forward your case to the Immigration and Refugee Board. If your refugee case is successful you may request permanent residence by filing appropriate documents with CIC.
  
  
• Immigration and Refugee Board - Refugee Protection Division ("RPD"): the RPD is a government-independent tribunal responsible for making decisions on who qualifies as refugees. Once your refugee case is initiated by the RPD, you will be dealing with this agency for the entire duration of your refugee claim process in Canada. At the end of your refugee case, after the RPD gives an order that you are (or are not) a refugee, your dealings with the RPD will end and further issues about your status in Canada are generally dealt with by CIC (above).
  
  
• Legal Services Society ("LSS") of British Columbia: LSS is a provincial organization that administers free legal services ("legal aid") in BC. Claimants who wish to obtain a legal aid lawyer to assist with your refugee claim in BC, will have to make a formal request with LSS for legal services.
  
  
• Canada Border Services Agency ("CBSA"): this federal government agency is responsible for protection of Canada's borders and enforcement of laws. CBSA is in charge of removing refugee claimants who loose their cases from Canada.

• Starting a Refugee Claim in Canada
  
  
• Completing the Refugee PIF
  
  
• Preparing the Refugee Case
  
  
• Procedure at the Refugee Hearing
  
  
• Post-Hearing Issues