- In-Canada Refugee Claimants
In-Canada refugee claimants do not have valid temporary residence status, which is a requirement to apply for either the Atlantic Immigration Program and Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program.
Even though as a refugee claimant, an applicant may have a work or study permit while awaiting a decision on their claim, this does not give them temporary residence status. The requirement to have temporary residence status at the time of application makes in-Canada refugee claimants ineligible for economic Permanent Residence 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, the individual is eligible to work and study in Canada during the processing of their refugee claim.
Projected wait times for refugee claims can be found 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 applicant is expected to leave Canada.
As an In-Canada refugee claimant, the individual can leave Canada and apply to the Atlantic Immigration Program or the Newfoundland and Labrador Provincial Nominee Program, if the applicant meets program requirements. An IPDO will determine their eligibility for these programs