The number of refugee claimants accepted by Canada has more than doubled since 2018. Some countries have an easier time claiming asylum than others.
The refugee claimants granted asylum in Canada increased to close to 37,000 in 2023 from just over 14,000 in 2018. The recognition rate rose to 82% in the first nine months of 2024 from 64% in 2018.
Many factors determine whether an asylum seeker can stay in Canada, including credibility, proof of identity, persecution claims, threat severity, and home country conditions.
Most asylum seekers allowed to stay in Canada came from Iran and Turkey, where over 95% of decisions were positive, regardless of persecution type. This data is from the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
Refugee claimants usually present cases at a hearing, but some cases undergo a paper review for faster processing. This process is for countries with high acceptance rates and strict eligibility criteria.
Deciding refugee cases through paper reviews can be risky due to potential abuse. The system may not thoroughly scrutinize claims, leaving room for false claims.
Asylum seekers from countries like Iran face less scrutiny compared to those from countries like Nigeria. The source of persecution, whether government or third parties, influences the level of scrutiny on claims.
Cases from countries like Nigeria require more evidence to prove lack of internal flight alternatives for safety, unlike cases from countries with government-persecution sources.
The acceptance of refugee claims in Canada has significantly increased, with disparities in scrutiny levels based on the source of persecution. The system aims to balance efficiency with thoroughness in processing asylum claims.