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Rights to Employment, Education and Health Services

While a claim for refugee protection is being considered, claimants have certain rights and may have access to Canadian services. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms protects all persons in Canada.

Employment
Refugee protection claimants are eligible, in certain circumstances, to apply for employment authorization. Only those who cannot subsist without public assistance are generally eligible for employment authorization. The claimant must also submit a personal information form to the Immigration and Refugee Board and take a medical examination.

Education
Refugee protection claimants are eligible to apply for student authorization so that they can attend school while waiting for a decision on their claims. Minor children of foreign nationals are automatically eligible to attend school.

Health Services
The Interim Federal Health Program, administered by Citizenship and Immigration Canada, ensures emergency and essential health services for needy refugee protection claimants and those protected persons in Canada who are not yet covered by provincial health care.

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