Updated information received from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada for In- Canada Refugees Claimants

In-Canada refugee claimants do not have valid temporary residence status, which is a requirement to apply for either the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program and Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program.

Even though as a refugee claimant, you may have a work or study permit while awaiting a decision on your claim, this does not give you temporary residence status. The requirement to have temporary residence status at the time of application makes in-Canada refugee claimants ineligible for economic Permanent Residency pathways.

As a refugee claimant, you are eligible for an S61 open work permit or study permit, which would give you the option to work or study while awaiting a decision on your claim. Therefore, you are eligible to work and study in Canada during the processing of your refugee claim.

You can find projected wait times for refugee claims on the IRB website.

In-Canada refugee claimants whose claims are approved may apply for Permanent Residence as protected persons. If rejected, the removal order comes into effect and you are expected to leave Canada.

As an In-Canada refugee claimant, you can leave Canada and apply to the Atlantic Immigration Program or the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, if you meet program requirements. An Immigration Program Development Officer will determine your eligibility for these programs.