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Symbol of a judge's gavel that represents refugee lawyers and refugee legal aid in Canada
 
 

Legal Aid BC

It is very important to have a lawyer when making a refugee claim in British Columbia. 

Legal Aid BC is a free legal service for eligible people in British Columbia, including refugee claimants. They can help with your refugee claim by:

  • Helping you fill out forms

  • Helping you prepare for a refugee hearing

  • Representing you at your hearing

Interpreters and translators are available in different languages for free. A Settlement Worker can help you call Legal Aid. If you don’t have a Settlement Worker, you can find one on the Get Help page.

Visit their website →

 
 

Contact Information:
Greater Vancouver: 📞 604-601-6076

Elsewhere in BC: 📞 1-888-601-6000

Locations:
Vancouver (400-510 Burrard Street)

Website:
https://legalaid.bc.ca/

Hours of Operation:
Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM

Wednesdays: 9:00 AM – 2:30 PM

 
 

Ready Tours

Ready Tours are virtual tours to help you understand the claim process and what happens before, during, and after your hearing session.

In a Ready Tour:

  • Learn how to become ready for your hearing and find out about virtual, in-person, and videoconference hearings

  • Hear from a staff person of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada – Refugee Protection Division (IRB-RPD)

  • Learn what happens on your hearing day

  • Learn who is in your refugee hearing

  • Learn important information about refugee law

  • Ask your questions about the process

Register now to attend a Ready Tour. Ready Tours are offered in the language of your choice. Or, contact your Settlement Worker for help registering.

 
 

My Refugee Claim

My Refugee Claim is a guide for refugee claimants in Canada.

My Refugee Claim helps you:

  • Get informed about Canada’s refugee protection process

  • Stay connected to people who can help in BC

  • Be prepared every step of the way

Visit the My Refugee Claim website to learn more.

 

Refugee Claim process in British Columbia

 
 
Line graphic of plane flying into Canada to symbolize how to apply for refugee status in Canada from a port of entry
 

PORT OF ENTRY
Process

 
 
Line graphic of map marker with maple leaf in symbolizing how to make a refugee claim within Canada
 

IN CANADA
Process

 

To make a claim when you arrive in British Columbia

 

To make a claim when you are already in British Columbia

↓
 
↓

Make a claim at the airport or at an office at a border crossing to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

 
Line graphic of gavel to symbolize refugee lawyers & legal aid services for refugees in Canada

Apply for Legal Aid

↓
 
↓

Apply for Legal Aid

Line image of gavel to symbolize refugee lawyers & legal aid services in British Columbia for Refugees and asylum seekers
 

Make a claim with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office in Vancouver

 
⤴
 

File a Basis of Claim (BOC) form within 15 calendar days and any other immigration forms (if not completed already)

⤵
 
 
↓
 
 

CBSA or IRCC
will decide if you are eligible to make a refugee claim

 
 
 
 

NOT ELIGIBLE

 
⤵
⤴
 
 

ELIGIBLE

 
 
 
 
Line image of hand giving thumbs up in a circle to symbolize what to do after your refugee claim is accepted in Canada
 
↓
 
↓

Contact Legal Aid BC for legal advice

Line image of gavel to symbolize refugee lawyers & legal aid services
Line image of court house on a calendar to symbolize receiving a date for a refugee hearing

Receive a date for your hearing. Changes to the BOC or evidence must be filed with the RPD 10 days before hearing.

 
 

Refugee Claim process in British Columbia

Will you be coming into Canada or are you already in Canada?

 
 

 

PORT OF ENTRY
Process

To make a claim when you arrive in British Columbia

↓

Make a claim at the airport or at an office at a border crossing to Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA)

↓

Apply for Legal Aid

↓

File a Basis of Claim (BOC) form within 15 calendar days and any other immigration forms (if not completed already)

↓

CBSA will decide if you are eligible to make a refugee claim

 

 

IN CANADA
Process

To make a claim when you are already in British Columbia

↓

Apply for Legal Aid

↓

Make a claim with the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office in Vancouver

↓

File a Basis of Claim (BOC) form within 15 calendar days and any other immigration forms (if not completed already)

↓

IRCC will decide if you are eligible to make a refugee claim

 

 

ELIGIBLE

↓

Receive a date for your hearing. Changes to the BOC or evidence must be filed with the RPD 10 days before hearing.

 

 

NOT ELIGIBLE

↓

Contact Legal Aid BC for legal advice

 
 
 
 

 If you would like to access legal services, please contact your Settlement Worker. If you do not have a Settlement Worker, please go to the Get Help page for more information.