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COVID-19 updates
We’ve temporarily changed some of our services.

Legal Aid Ontario is moving!
Starting April 2023, Legal Aid Ontario’s Provincial Office, Toronto Family Law Services Office, Criminal Senior Counsel Services Office, and Refugee Law Office will be located on the seventh floor of the Atrium on Bay.

Legal Aid Ontario
Atrium on Bay
20 Dundas St. West
Suite 730

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Français LAO Client Portal
Français LAO Client Portal
  • Services
    • Temporary service changes due to COVID-19
    • COVID-19 and the courts: Answers to frequently asked questions
    • Our services
    • Criminal legal issues
    • Domestic Violence
    • Family legal issues
    • Mental health legal issues
    • Refugee and immigration legal issues
    • Legal clinics
    • How to apply
    • Find a lawyer
      • Finding the right legal aid lawyer
    • What do you think about our services?
  • For legal professionals
    • COVID-19: Ongoing list of supports for lawyers
    • LASA 2020 process updates for lawyers
    • Changes to policies and certificate coverage
    • Roster resources
      • Audit & Compliance
      • Billing
      • Case management
      • Forms library
      • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020 policies
      • Legal Aid Online
      • LAO LAW
      • Minimum experience requirements
      • More resources
    • Do legal aid work
    • Mentoring
    • Test case funding
    • News for lawyers
    • B3 Newsletters
    • Contacts for lawyers
  • Corporate
    • About
      • By-laws
      • Our clients
      • Board of Directors
      • Executive Team
      • Board Advisory Committees
      • Sidney B. Linden Award
      • French Language Services
    • Legal Aid Services Act, 2020
      • LASA 2020 Rules and Policies
      • LASA 2020 glossary
    • Consultations
    • LAO Consultation Registry
    • Open Government
    • Reports
    • Publications
    • News
    • Social media
    • Careers
    • Contact Us
  • FAQ

Refugee law

Legal Aid Ontario offers assistance with refugee and immigration matters. Find out more

The following categories outline what you will need to make a refugee claim, important deadlines you will need to keep in mind, and helpful resources to get you started:

  • Timelines
    The timeline for your claim depends on where you started your claim and what country you are from.

  • Starting your claim
    Learn about how you can start a refugee claim and what will happen when you begin a claim.

  • Completing your BOC form
    The Basis of Claim (BOC) form explains who you are and why you need refugee protection in Canada.

  • Documents to support your refugee claim
    Learn about the documents you might need for your refugee claim, and helpful resources for collecting and submitting them on time.

  • Before your hearing
    Learn what to do if you need to change your contact information or BOC form, and how to ask for changes to your refugee hearing date.

  • Appealing refugee decisions
    If your refugee claim is rejected, you might be able to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD).

  • Judicial review
    If your claim is rejected and you cannot appeal, or your appeal to the RAD is rejected, you can apply for a judicial review for your decision to be overturned.

  • Admissibility hearings
    Admissibility hearings decide if you are allowed to come into or stay in Canada, if you are a permanent resident or foreign national, for example if you have criminal convictions.

  • Links and resources
    A list of links and resources for finding more information and help on refugee law.

This section has been created as a public service by Legal Aid Ontario. Every reasonable effort has been made to ensure that the information presented is current and accurate. However, users of this section should verify the information before making decisions or acting upon it. This section contains general legal information. It is not intended to be used as legal advice for a specific legal problem.

  • This form is feedback only.

Questions

Links and resources for refugee help

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