refugees in Canada
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the paperwork is fairly quick if you have all the documentation that proves or suggests the prosecution in your home country. Undestand that claiming asylum is a ONE way ticket; you may never return to your home country and may never see the people you grew up with, including enormous parts of your family.
Once you have ALL the documentation in order, the easiest way is to seek a visitors' visa and once at the port of entry and IN Canada you tell the border officer that you are seeking asylum. Bare in mind that once you are there the process is not very rosy, it may take weeks or months to define your status in Canada. I definitely recommend coming here WITH money, let's say $8K per person, if you have it of course. Bare in mind that you are NOT supposed to have sold your belongings BEFORE coming here, because that may show your intent to trick the system. Also, be sure that you leave (if you can) a power of attorney with enough powers in your home country to liquidate your belongings on your behalf and finaly, do worry about your immediate family. Be sure that they are taken care of once you are not there, and if you can, bring them along.
Once again, BE SURE that your reason to becoming a refugee are solid. The last thing you want is to is to be deported back... you may not be received with open arms back in your home country.
Good Luck.. I know this is very troublesome. I may even suggest you to seek professional immigration advice here in Canada. It may cost you about $200 per hour and/or about $1000 but it is better to know the law BEFORE making such an important decisionAnonymous 27 Mar 2006, 11:05 - Report