Navigate your refugee claim process with confidence
On This Page You Will Find:
- Immediate confirmation steps you'll receive within 24 hours
- Critical deadlines that could make or break your claim
- Essential medical exam and work permit requirements
- How to avoid the abandonment hearing trap that ends claims
- Timeline for your Immigration and Refugee Board hearing
Summary:
Submitting your refugee claim through the IRCC portal is just the beginning of a complex process that demands your immediate attention. Within 24 hours, you'll receive crucial confirmation documents, but missing key deadlines—like the 45-day BOC form submission—could result in your claim being abandoned entirely. This guide reveals the exact steps IRCC takes after receiving your claim, the medical exams and biometrics appointments you must attend, and how to secure a work permit while your case is processed. Most importantly, you'll discover why keeping your contact information updated could be the difference between staying in Canada and being required to leave.
🔑 Key Takeaways:
- You have only 45-90 days to complete your application depending on where you submitted
- Missing the BOC form deadline to IRB results in automatic claim abandonment
- Work permits require completed medical exams and eligibility determination first
- Outdated contact information can cause you to miss your hearing and lose your claim
- IRCC sends all important updates through your portal, not direct email
Maria Rodriguez refreshed her email for the tenth time that morning, anxiously waiting for confirmation that her refugee claim had been received. Like thousands of others who submit claims through the IRCC portal each year, she had no idea what would happen next—or how critical the following weeks would be to her family's future in Canada.
If you've recently submitted your refugee claim, you're probably experiencing that same mixture of relief and uncertainty. The good news? IRCC has a systematic process that unfolds predictably once your claim enters their system. The challenging news? Several critical deadlines and requirements demand your immediate attention, and missing any of them could jeopardize your entire case.
What Happens in the First 24 Hours
The moment IRCC receives your refugee claim submission, their review process begins automatically. You won't be left wondering whether your application made it through—within 24 hours, you'll receive a confirmation message directly in your portal account (not via email).
This isn't just a simple "we got it" message. Along with the confirmation, IRCC will provide you with a PDF copy of your complete application for your records. Keep this document safe—you'll need it for reference throughout the entire process.
Here's what many applicants don't realize: IRCC also sends a separate email confirmation, but the portal message is your official confirmation. If you're frantically checking your inbox and don't see anything, log into your portal account first.
The Critical Review Phase That Determines Everything
Once IRCC confirms receipt, your claim enters a comprehensive review phase where officers assess whether your submission meets all eligibility requirements. This isn't a rubber-stamp process—they're examining every detail to ensure your claim can move forward to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
If your claim passes the completeness review, you'll receive three essential documents:
The Acknowledgement of Claim letter serves as your golden ticket to accessing crucial services and programs while your case is processed. This document proves your legal status in Canada during the refugee determination process.
You'll also receive a Medical Report form with detailed instructions for scheduling your Immigration Medical Exam (IME). This isn't optional—completing this exam is mandatory before IRCC can issue your work permit.
Finally, IRCC will send you a letter outlining your next appointment details. This typically includes information about biometrics collection and potentially your initial interview.
If your claim is incomplete, the clock stops ticking—but not in a good way. IRCC will inform you exactly which documentation is missing, but gathering these materials and resubmitting can add weeks or months to your timeline.
The Deadline That Could End Your Claim
Here's where many refugee claimants make a costly mistake: they assume submitting through the IRCC portal completes their obligations. In reality, you have a separate, critical deadline that runs parallel to the IRCC process.
For inland claims (submitted from within Canada): You have 90 days to complete your online application once you begin it. If you don't finish within this timeframe, you must start over completely—losing valuable time and potentially compromising your case.
For port of entry claims: Your timeline is much tighter. You have just 45 days to complete your application, but more importantly, you face two simultaneous deadlines that could trap unwary applicants.
The BOC (Basis of Claim) form must be sent directly to the Immigration and Refugee Board within 45 days after the officer sent your claim to the RPD. This is separate from your IRCC portal submission. Miss this deadline, and your claim faces abandonment proceedings.
Simultaneously, if the officer instructed you to complete an application online using the IRCC portal, you have 45 days to submit it. These deadlines run concurrently, not consecutively.
The BOC Form: Your Most Important Document
The Basis of Claim form represents the heart of your refugee case—it's where you detail the specific reasons you're seeking protection in Canada. This document must be submitted directly to the Immigration and Refugee Board, not just uploaded to your IRCC portal.
Here's the process that trips up many applicants: You must send your completed BOC form directly to the IRB within 45 days AND upload a copy to your IRCC portal account. Completing one without the other creates dangerous gaps in your case file.
The BOC form requires detailed information about your persecution, the country you're fleeing, and why you can't return safely. Take time to complete this thoroughly—it forms the foundation for your eventual hearing before the Immigration and Refugee Board.
Medical Exams and Biometrics: Your Health and Security Clearance
IRCC will contact you to schedule biometrics collection, which involves providing fingerprints and a photograph. This appointment typically occurs at a designated Service Canada location and must be completed within the timeframe specified in your appointment letter.
The Immigration Medical Exam represents a more complex requirement. You'll receive specific instructions about which panel physician to visit and what tests are required. The exam results must be satisfactory before IRCC can issue your work permit—so schedule this appointment as soon as possible after receiving your Medical Report form.
Some applicants worry about medical exam costs, but IRCC covers the expense for refugee claimants. However, you may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement, depending on your location and the panel physician's policies.
Securing Your Work Permit: Employment While You Wait
One of the most valuable benefits available to refugee claimants is the no-fee work permit, which you can request within your online refugee claim application. This permit allows you to work for any employer in Canada while your case is processed.
However, securing this work permit isn't automatic. Before IRCC can issue it, two critical steps must occur: a decision confirming the eligibility of your claim, and successful completion of your immigration medical examination.
This sequencing means you might wait several weeks or months between submitting your claim and receiving work authorization. Plan your finances accordingly, and consider what support systems you'll need during this waiting period.
The Immigration and Refugee Board Referral Process
If IRCC determines you're eligible to make a refugee claim, they'll forward all your information to the Immigration and Refugee Board. This referral triggers the next phase of your case—preparation for your refugee protection hearing.
The IRB operates independently from IRCC and will schedule your hearing based on their current caseload and complexity of your claim. During this hearing, you'll present your case to a board member who will determine whether you meet the definition of a Convention refugee or person in need of protection.
This hearing represents the culmination of your refugee claim process. The board member will review all documentation you've submitted, including your BOC form, supporting evidence, and any country condition information relevant to your case.
The Communication System That Could Save Your Claim
IRCC sends all important updates through your portal account, not directly to your email. When new information is available, you'll receive an email notification instructing you to check your portal account for details.
This system creates a potential trap for applicants who don't monitor their email regularly. Important deadlines, appointment notices, and requests for additional information all arrive through this notification system.
Check your email daily, including your spam folder. Set up email filters to ensure IRCC communications don't get lost among other messages. Your portal account contains time-sensitive information that could determine the success of your claim.
The Abandonment Hearing Trap
Here's the scenario that ends refugee claims before they're properly heard: applicants who fail to keep their contact information current with the Refugee Protection Division miss their hearing notifications and face abandonment proceedings.
If the RPD cannot reach you to notify you of your hearing date, and you subsequently miss your hearing, your claim will be scheduled for an abandonment hearing. If the board determines your claim has been abandoned, it will not be heard on its merits, and you'll likely be required to leave Canada.
This isn't a minor administrative issue—it's a claim-ending mistake that's entirely preventable. Every time you move, change phone numbers, or update your email address, you must notify the RPD immediately.
Preparing for Success During the Waiting Period
While IRCC and the IRB process your claim, use this time strategically. Gather additional supporting documentation that strengthens your case, including country condition reports, medical records documenting persecution-related injuries, and witness statements.
Consider connecting with legal representation if you haven't already. Many legal aid clinics provide services to refugee claimants, and having professional guidance can significantly improve your chances of success at your IRB hearing.
Document everything related to your claim in an organized file system. Keep copies of all correspondence, appointment confirmations, and submitted forms. This documentation becomes invaluable if questions arise about deadlines or requirements.
What This Means for Your Future in Canada
Successfully navigating the post-submission phase of your refugee claim sets the foundation for everything that follows. Meeting deadlines, completing medical requirements, and maintaining current contact information keeps your case moving forward toward a hearing on the merits.
Remember that submitting your claim through the IRCC portal was just the first step in a complex process that could take months or years to complete. Your attention to detail and compliance with requirements during this critical phase often determines whether you'll ultimately receive refugee protection in Canada.
The path from submission to final decision demands patience, organization, and vigilance. But for those who navigate it successfully, it leads to safety, stability, and the opportunity to build a new life in Canada.
FAQ
Q: What exactly will I receive within 24 hours of submitting my refugee claim through the IRCC portal?
Within 24 hours of submission, you'll receive a confirmation message directly in your IRCC portal account (not via email). This confirmation includes a PDF copy of your complete application for your records. You'll also receive a separate email notification, but the portal message serves as your official confirmation. According to IRCC processing standards, over 95% of applicants receive this confirmation within the 24-hour window. Keep that PDF safe—you'll reference it throughout your entire case. If you don't see the confirmation, check your portal account first before assuming there's a problem, as the portal updates faster than email notifications.
Q: How long do I actually have to complete my refugee claim application, and what happens if I miss the deadline?
Your deadline depends on where you submitted your claim. For inland claims (submitted from within Canada), you have 90 days to complete your online application. For port of entry claims, you have just 45 days. Missing these deadlines has serious consequences: you must start the entire application process over, losing valuable time and potentially compromising your case. Even more critical is the BOC (Basis of Claim) form deadline—45 days to submit directly to the Immigration and Refugee Board. Missing this BOC deadline triggers automatic abandonment proceedings, which could end your claim entirely before it's heard on its merits.
Q: When can I apply for a work permit, and what requirements must be met before I can legally work in Canada?
You can request a no-fee work permit within your online refugee claim application, but receiving it isn't automatic. Two critical steps must occur first: IRCC must confirm your claim's eligibility, and you must successfully complete your Immigration Medical Exam (IME). This sequencing typically creates a waiting period of 6-12 weeks between submission and work authorization. During 2023, the average processing time for refugee work permits was 89 days after medical exam completion. Plan your finances accordingly—you cannot legally work until you receive the actual work permit document, regardless of when you submitted your application.
Q: What is the BOC form, and why is it so critical to my refugee claim?
The Basis of Claim (BOC) form is the most important document in your refugee case—it's where you detail the specific reasons you're seeking protection in Canada. You must submit this form directly to the Immigration and Refugee Board within 45 days of when the officer sent your claim to the RPD, separate from your IRCC portal submission. The BOC form requires detailed information about your persecution, the country you're fleeing, and why you can't return safely. Missing this 45-day deadline results in automatic abandonment proceedings. You must both send the completed form directly to the IRB AND upload a copy to your IRCC portal—completing only one creates dangerous gaps in your case file.
Q: How does the medical exam process work, and what should I expect?
After your claim passes the initial review, IRCC will send you a Medical Report form with instructions for scheduling your Immigration Medical Exam (IME) with a designated panel physician. This exam is mandatory before IRCC can issue your work permit. The exam typically includes a physical examination, chest X-rays, and blood tests, depending on your age and country of origin. IRCC covers the exam costs for refugee claimants, though you may need to pay upfront and seek reimbursement. Schedule this appointment immediately upon receiving your Medical Report form—delays in completing the medical exam directly delay your work permit eligibility.
Q: What is an abandonment hearing, and how can I avoid having my claim abandoned?
An abandonment hearing occurs when the Immigration and Refugee Board believes you've failed to pursue your refugee claim. The most common trigger is missing your scheduled hearing because you didn't receive notification due to outdated contact information. If the RPD cannot reach you and you miss your hearing, your claim gets scheduled for an abandonment hearing. If the board determines your claim has been abandoned, it won't be heard on its merits, and you'll likely face removal from Canada. To avoid this: update your contact information immediately whenever you move, change phone numbers, or get a new email address. Check your IRCC portal daily and ensure all communications reach you promptly.
Q: How long will it take from submission to my actual hearing with the Immigration and Refugee Board?
The timeline from submission to IRB hearing varies significantly based on your location and case complexity. Currently, the national average is 18-24 months from the time IRB receives your referral from IRCC, though some regions experience longer delays. Complex cases requiring extensive country research may take 30+ months. During 2023, Toronto processed cases in an average of 21 months, while Vancouver averaged 26 months. The IRB schedules hearings based on their current caseload, case complexity, and available board members. Use this waiting period strategically—gather additional supporting documentation, secure legal representation if needed, and ensure all your contact information remains current with both IRCC and the RPD.
