Section 3 – After the Decision
Convention Refugee status (CR)
The decision from the IRB was “Yes”, your claim has been accepted and you are seen as a person in need of protection.
You have to do the following things:
§ Apply for permanent resident status as CR within 180 days (6 months). information for Permanent Resident card As a Convention Refugee, you pay only the processing fees for permanent residence ($550 per adult and $150 per child). You are exempt from paying the Right of Permanent Residence fee.
§ Pay the fees for your immediate family members (spouse and dependent children) to be processed all at the same time. The only reason not to include them is if you do not know where they are. In this case, you have one year to make the application to include them.
§ Apply for your “Protected Person Status Document” You will need the Protected Person Status Documents if you are planning to request a Travel Document to travel abroad, and or if you are planning to further your post secondary education and need financial aid.
§ Continue to renew your work permit and SIN (social insurance number) card
§ If you are receiving social assistance (Welfare), inform your worker of your CR status.
Your changed status means you are eligible for more services:
- Apply for MSP (Medical Service Plan in BC). MSP application Your IFH will last only 3 months after your change of status to CR.
- If you have children, you can apply for the Child Tax Benefit. (If you are on Welfare you will have to pay back any Provincial Top up portion that you received after you were already qualified for the Child Tax Benefit.)
- If you have children who would like to continue post-secondary education, they can now apply for a student loan.
- Adults are eligible for the ELSA Program for English classes.
- In Vancouver: Section 3 – After the Decision CLBA Assessment Centre, #208 – 2525 Commercial Drive. Tel: 604 876 5756.
