Asylum Claims

Key figures on asylum claims made in Canada

Individuals can make an asylum claim in Canada at a port of entry, at a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) inland office or an Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) inland office. CBSA or IRCC officials will then determine if an individual is eligible to make an asylum claim.

If the claim is determined to be eligible, it will be referred to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) for a hearing. In making its decisions, the IRB considers whether the claimant meets the United Nations (UN) definition of a Convention refugee, which has been adopted into Canadian law, or is a person in need of protection. Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, every person who wants to enter Canada must appear for an examination at a port of entry in order for government officials to determine whether that person has a right to enter Canada, or if the individual may become authorized to enter and remain in Canada.

The CBSA and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) play a key role in protecting Canada’s border. They deter and intercept illegal entry to Canada and keep Canadians safe. CBSA, the RCMP and their domestic and international partners work together to intercept individuals who enter Canada illegally. No enforcement actions are taken against people seeking asylum as per section 133 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The RCMP is responsible for border security in between ports of entry. The CBSA is responsible for border security at ports of entry and inland.

IRCC’s role in this process is to develop and implement policies, programs and services that facilitate the legitimate arrival of people and their integration into Canada in a way that maximizes their contribution to the country, while protecting the health, safety and security of Canadians.

Learn more about asylum claims made in Canada.

*All data provided below is preliminary and subject to change. Updates will be provided on a monthly basis.

Asylum Claims and Interceptions

Monthly Report - Calendar Year 2017

The number of “RCMP interceptions” refers to asylum seekers apprehended between the ports of entry and does not reflect other illegal border crossings. These numbers may be included in either CBSA or IRCC processing results as the asylum seekers are turned over by the RCMP to these agencies if a claim of refugee status is made.

These statistics include asylum claimants intercepted by the RCMP and brought to a CBSA designated port of entry or inland office, and do not include asylum claims made at Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada offices. Figures may vary slightly depending on the date when the claim was received.

Due to privacy considerations, the figures in this table have been subjected to rounding. Under this method, all figures in the table are rounded either up or down to multiples of *5* and all values between 0 and 5 are shown as “--”. As a result of this rounding, data may not add up to the totals indicated.

Due to privacy considerations, the figures in this table have been subjected to rounding. Under this method, all figures in the table are rounded either up or down to multiples of *5* and all values between 0 and 5 are shown as “--”. As a result of this rounding, data may not add up to the totals indicated.

Due to privacy considerations, the figures in this table have been subjected to rounding. Under this method, all figures in the table are rounded either up or down to multiples of *5* and all values between 0 and 5 are shown as “--”. As a result of this rounding, data may not add up to the totals indicated.

Historical Data

• Asylum Claimants Processed by Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Offices, January 2011 - March 2017