The Refugee Claim Process
Are you a newly arrived refugee claimant? Read through the resources below for information about your refugee claim.
Who is Eligible for a Claim?
Visit the Steps to Justice website to see if you meet the criteria to start a refugee claim here in Canada.
The Refugee Claim Process
This flow chart will help you to visualize the refugee determination system and the different options available as you move through it.
Legal Aid
If you are financially eligible, you may be able to access Legal Aid Ontario and receive legal assistance.
You can apply for Legal Aid:
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Through a phone call (Monday – Friday 8am – 5pm): 1-800-668-8258 (toll-free).
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Online: Click Here
Finding Legal Representation
Choosing a legal representative is very important. Learn how your legal representative should work with you, what they should not do, and what your role is. Find out what to do if you think your representative is not doing a good job.
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MyRefugeeClaim.ca
This website provides clear, accessible information on the steps involved in making a refugee claim, understanding your rights, and what to expect during the refugee determination process.
Refugee Hearing Preparation
The multilingual Refugee Hearing Preparation (RHP) Guide is useful to educate, guide, and support refugee claimants – in their language – who are preparing for their refugee hearings.
Refugee Re-Course
(Mock Hearing)
This program is intended to prepare refugee claimants emotionally and intellectually by facilitating an experience to simulate the process of a hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
https://www.refugeerecourse.ca/
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To sign up for a practice hearing appointment, click here
Food Banks in Hamilton
Hamilton has many food bank programs available in different neighborhoods of the city. Browse the list of Hamilton food bank programs near you.
Attend a Virtual Ready Tour
Ready Tours teach and support refugee claimants as they prepare for their refugee hearings. If you are a refugee claimant, you can sign up for a free online Ready Tour from anywhere in Canada.
Ready Tours give you an opportunity to:
--Meet a staff person of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada – Refugee Protection Division
--Learn how to prepare for your virtual (online) refugee hearing
---Learn what happens on the day of your hearing
--Learn who might be at your refugee hearing
--Learn about refugee law
--Have a chance to ask questions
Register here:
Looking for Shelter?
This website lists the shelters and agencies that support refugee claimants across Ontario.