Arriving at a Port of Entry

What to Expect When Arriving

When you arrive at a Canadian port of entry (airport, land border, or seaport), you will go through border clearance. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for checking all people entering Canada. This process is the first opportunity to make a refugee claim.

Your arrival will be processed in stages. First, you will present yourself and your documents to a CBSA officer. The officer will ask questions about your travel, your purpose in Canada, and where you plan to go. This is a standard procedure for everyone entering Canada.

If you are facing persecution or danger in your home country, this is the appropriate time to tell the CBSA officer that you wish to make a refugee claim. You can express this at any point during the questioning process.

Initial CBSA Officer Interaction

The CBSA officer's role is to verify your identity and assess whether you have the right to enter Canada. Officers are trained to work with people from many backgrounds and are aware that some travelers may be refugees or asylum seekers.

During your interaction with the officer, you may be:

• Asked about your nationality and why you are traveling to Canada
• Asked whether you have family or friends in Canada
• Asked about your employment or education
• Asked about any criminal history
• Asked about security concerns
• Asked to present your travel documents

You can answer these questions truthfully. If you cannot answer in English or French, you can request an interpreter. This is your right, and interpreters are available at ports of entry.

Making Your Refugee Claim

If you have a well-founded fear of persecution or danger in your home country or previous country of residence, you can make a claim for refugee protection at the port of entry. Once you express this to the CBSA officer, the screening process begins.

When you say you want to make a refugee claim, the officer will typically:

1. Verify that you are not coming from a safe third country (with some exceptions)
2. Conduct a security and criminality screening
3. Refer you to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for the formal refugee claim process
4. Provide you with information about next steps and where to go for your claim interview

After the CBSA screening, you will be referred to IRCC to file your formal refugee claim. You will be given information about when and where to appear for your IRCC interview.

Example Dialogue

Here is an example of a typical conversation at the port of entry. These dialogues show the language such as what you might hear and how people typically respond.

What Happens Next

After you make your refugee claim at the port of entry, several things happen:

Important Tips

• •Speak clearly and truthfully: Tell the CBSA officer the truth about your situation. If you do not understand a question, ask the officer to repeat it or explain it more clearly.
• •Request an interpreter: If you do not speak English or French, you can request an interpreter. Say, "I need an interpreter" or "Can someone speak [language]?"
• •Keep all documents: Save all documents you receive, including the referral letter to IRCC, appointment letters, and any information about reporting requirements.
• •Seek legal help: Consider consulting with a refugee lawyer or RCIC as soon as possible. Many offer free initial consultations and can help guide you through the process.
• •Know your rights: You have the right to know why you are being asked questions and the right to refuse to answer certain questions. However, it is typically best to be cooperative and truthful.

Your Rights at the Border

You have rights when arriving at a Canadian port of entry, even if you do not have proper travel documents. Under the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms, you are protected from:

• Unfair and arbitrary detention
• Unreasonable search and seizure
• Discrimination based on protected grounds

Rights include being informed of the reasons for any detention and accessing legal counsel. If detained, presentation before a review officer within 48 hours is required.

Detention review can be requested and attendance at the review with a lawyer or representative is permitted. The burden is on the authorities to justify continued detention.

Documentation to Keep

Save all documents you receive from the CBSA or IRCC, including:

• ✓Your referral letter from CBSA to IRCC
• ✓Your Proof of Citizenship Document (if issued)
• ✓Appointment letters or notices from IRCC
• ✓Reporting requirement information
• ✓Any detention-related documents or detention review information
• ✓Your original travel documents (passport, visa, etc.)

Make copies of all documents and keep them in a safe place. If possible, also give copies to a trusted family member or friend.