Got your asylum acceptance? Apply for PR in Canada after asylum acceptance. Learn how to apply for PR in Canada as a Protected Person or a Convention refugee. Step by step IRCC guide for 2026.
Introduction
Receiving your asylum acceptance letter from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is a life-changing moment but it is only the beginning of your journey. Being recognized as a Protected Person means you are now eligible to apply for PR in Canada after asylum but permanent residence does not happen automatically.
If the IRB determined you to be a person in need of protection or a Convention refugee, or if you received a positive decision on your Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) from IRCC, you are a Protected Person and may apply for protected person permanent residence in Canada.
This guide walks you through every step of the IRCC Protected Person PR application process, based on the current official requirements from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for 2026.
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Who Is Eligible to Apply for Protected Person Permanent Residence in Canada?
You are eligible to apply for PR in Canada after asylum if the IRB or IRCC has determined that you are a Protected Person or a Protected Temporary Resident, and you are not:
- A Convention refugee in another country where you could go and live permanently without fear of persecution
- A citizen, national, or permanent resident of another country (other than the one you fled) where you could live safely
- Already a permanent resident of Canada
Eligible categories include:
- Convention Refugees recognized by the IRB
- Persons in Need of Protection under Section 97 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA)
- Persons who received a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) from IRCC
- Members of the Protected Temporary Residents Class (PTRC)
Important: Designated Foreign Nationals (DFNs)
You can apply for protected person permanent residence in Canada anytime after being notified by the IRB or IRCC unless you have been named as a Designated Foreign National (DFN). DFNs are not eligible to apply for permanent resident status for a period of at least five years, up to a maximum of six years. If this applies to you, you will have been notified in writing.
Important Note for Applicants Living in Québec
If you live in Québec (including Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, or anywhere else in the province), the IRCC Protected Person PR application process includes an additional provincial step.
You must submit an application for permanent selection to the Government of Québec to obtain a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) at the same time as your IRCC application for permanent residence.
You do not need to wait for your CSQ before submitting to IRCC. The CSQ is valid for 24 months. If your permanent residence application is still being processed when your CSQ expires, it remains valid until IRCC makes a decision.
Confirm Your Eligibility
Gather Your Documents
Complete the IRCC Forms
Pay Your Fees
Submit Your Application
Biometrics & Decision
Step 1: Gather Your Documents
The first step to apply for PR in Canada after asylum is collecting all required documents for yourself and any family members included in your application. A missing document can cause IRCC to return your entire application, restarting the clock.
According to IRCC’s official guide (IMM 5205), you must include:
Proof of Protected Person or Convention Refugee Status
- The letter from the IRB with your positive decision (Notice of Decision); OR
- The Verification of Status (VOS) document from your positive PRRA decision from IRCC; OR
- A Temporary Resident Permit, if you are a Protected Temporary Resident
Identity Documents:
All identity and relationship documents for the principal applicant and all family members inside or outside Canada. Documents must have been issued in your home country before you entered Canada. Examples include: passport, travel document, birth certificate, identity cards, baptismal record, and school certificate.
If you do not have identity documents, submit your application without them — IRCC will contact you. Always provide as much supporting documentation as possible.
Photos:
Include 2 passport-sized photos per person (principal applicant and all family members, inside or outside Canada). Place them in a small envelope, write each person’s name on the back, and attach the envelope to your application.
Payment Receipt:
Proof of payment of your application fees (see Step 3).
Document Translation:
Any document not in English or French must include a certified English or French translation and an affidavit from the translator (if not a certified professional). Translations may be completed by someone fluent in both languages, or by a Canadian certified translator who is a member in good standing of a provincial or territorial translators and interpreters organization.
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Step 2: Complete the Application Forms
To apply for Convention refugee permanent residence in Canada or as a Protected Person, you must complete:
- IMM 0008 — Generic Application Form for Canada
- IMM 0008 Schedule 14 — Protected Persons and Convention Refugees
- IMM 5669 — Schedule A: Background/Declaration
- IMM 5406 — Additional Family Information
- IMM 5476 — Use of a Representative (only if you have one)
Download all forms directly from the IRCC official forms page. Always use the latest version outdated forms are returned without processing.
Important: Do Not Apply for a New Passport
Do not get a new passport or renew your existing one even if it is expired. Applying for or renewing a passport from your country of origin risks losing your Protected Person status.
Step 3: Pay the Application Fees
Fees must be paid online only online payments are accepted in Canada. If any other forms of payment are received, IRCC will return your application.
The processing fee for the principal applicant is $635, even if the principal applicant is a minor child.
Key fee information for Protected Persons:
Protected Persons, including Convention refugees, are exempt from the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF). This saves $575 per adult compared to other immigration categories. Dependent children are also exempt.
How to Pay
Use the IRCC Online Payment tool. At the end, print the official IRCC receipt with barcode. Print two copies, save one digitally, and attach one printed copy to your application.
On April 30, 2026, fees will increase for all permanent residence applications. If you are preparing your application now, submit and pay before April 30, 2026 to lock in the current fees.
Step 4: Submit Your Application
You have two options to submit your IRCC Protected Person PR application:
Option A — Online (Recommended)
In the IRCC Permanent Residence Portal, select “Refugee” as the program and “In Canada Protected Person” as the category. Provide a title for your application.
Option B — By Mail or Courier
Mail your paper application to:
Protected Persons in Canada application Box 12153 STN A Sydney, NS B1P 0L1
OR:
Protected Persons in Canada application 3050 Wilson Avenue New Waterford, NS B1H 5V8
Always keep copies of all signed documents for your own records.
Including Family Members Outside Canada
As of December 4, 2019, Protected Persons applying for permanent residence may include dependent family members (spouses, partners, and dependent children) residing outside Canada by submitting their completed application forms together with your own application to the Case Processing Centre Mississauga. Submitting these earlier in the process can improve overall processing efficiency.
Your Obligation to Declare All Family Members
All family members must be listed on your application. If you do not list all your children (including adopted children), spouse, or common-law partner, you will permanently lose the ability to sponsor them later. Family members abroad with unknown whereabouts who are listed on your application have one year from the date you are granted permanent residence to apply at a visa office.
Step 5: Provide Biometrics
After submitting your Protected Person PR application in Canada, you will receive a Biometric Instructions Letter (BIL) from IRCC. This letter directs you to a list of designated Service Canada locations for biometric collection.
You must bring the BIL to your biometrics appointment — biometrics cannot be given without it. IRCC begins processing your application only after receiving your biometrics, so go as soon as possible after receiving the letter.
Step 6: Wait for a Decision
After your application is submitted and biometrics provided, IRCC conducts background checks, security screening, and a full review of your file.
Location |
Estimated Processing Time |
|---|---|
Current Processing Times (as of early 2026):
Processing times are updated weekly on the IRCC website. You can check your personalized estimated wait time using the IRCC processing time tool at canada.ca, entering the date you applied. Immigration News Canada
- Submit all required documents with your initial application
- Pay all fees promptly
- Provide biometrics as soon as you receive your BIL
- Keep your contact information up to date with IRCC at all times
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Step 7: Receive Your Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and PR Card
If your application is approved, IRCC will send you an approval letter. Your PR card will arrive by mail. It is critical to keep your address updated with IRCC so you don’t miss this correspondence.
In some cases, IRCC may schedule a final interview to confirm facts or request additional information. Your PR status may be granted at that interview.
What you can do to speed up processing:
- Most PR cards are valid for 5 years; some are valid for 1 year (expiry date printed on the card)
- Apply for renewal 6 months before expiry — renewal costs $50
- An expired PR card does not mean you have lost permanent resident status, but a valid card makes it much easier to re-enter Canada after travel abroad
Travelling While Your Application Is Pending
If you need to leave Canada while your Protected Person permanent residence application is being processed, apply for a Refugee Travel Document from IRCC.
- Convention refugees can use the IRB letter of decision as proof of status
- PRRA-positive applicants can use their Verification of Status (VOS) document
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I include my spouse and children in my application even if they are outside Canada?
Yes. Your family members include your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and any children who are their dependants. Family members abroad may be included and will have one year from the date you are granted permanent residence to apply at a visa office. Canada.ca
What counts as a dependent child for a Protected Person PR application?
A child qualifies as a dependant if, at the lock-in date (when IRCC or CBSA received your refugee claim), they were under 22 years old and did not have a spouse or common-law partner. Children 22 or older qualify only if they have been financially supported by their parents since before age 22 and are unable to support themselves due to a mental or physical condition.
Do Protected Persons have to pay the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF)?
No. Protected Persons, including Convention refugees, are exempt from the RPRF ($575 per adult). You are still required to pay the $635 processing fee.Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
What happens if I don't include a family member on my application?
If you fail to list all children (including adopted children), your spouse, or common-law partner, you will permanently lose the ability to sponsor them. This consequence is irreversible always declare all family members.
Is financial assistance available to bring my family to Canada?
Yes. Protected Persons may be eligible for the Immigration Loan Program, which covers transportation and medical examination costs for family members outside Canada. Loans are approved based on financial need and ability to repay.
What is the current processing time for a Protected Person PR application in Canada?
As of 2026, processing times for Protected Persons inside Canada outside Québec are approximately 17 months. Québec applicants face longer waits due to the additional CSQ provincial step. Always check the IRCC website for the most current estimate times are updated weekly.
I live in Montréal do I need to apply for a CSQ?
Yes. If you live anywhere in Québec including Montréal, Laval, Longueuil, Québec City, or elsewhere in the province you must apply for a Certificat de sélection du Québec (CSQ) at the same time as your IRCC application. You do not need to wait to receive your CSQ before submitting your federal application.
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Why Work With a Licensed Immigration Consultant?
The process to apply for PR in Canada after asylum involves multiple forms, strict document requirements, fees, deadlines, and an additional provincial step for Québec residents. A single error can result in your application being returned — causing weeks or months of delay.
A licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) can:
- Review your complete file before submission
- Ensure all forms are current and accurately completed
- Advise you on properly declaring and including family members
- Respond quickly if IRCC requests additional information or documents
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