Advice About Visas & Immigration

I want to come to Canada as a refugee...

The Berlin office only processes applications from persons residing in Germany and the Netherlands. As these countries are signatories to the Geneva Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, applicants must first apply for asylum in these countries. Applicants who have not exhausted all avenues of the refugee determination system of the country in which they reside cannot be considered for Canada's resettlement programs.

This office is no longer able to process applications for consideration as government sponsored refugees. A confirmation of private sponsorship is needed to initiate an application. A group of five private individuals or a sponsoring church or organization must file the sponsorship with a Canada Immigration Centre (CIC) where it must be approved.

Only after receipt of a confirmation of approved sponsorship from a CIC, can this office mail out the necessary application forms.

We must point out that we are not in a position to help you obtain a sponsorship, nor can we help you extend your residence permit in Germany or The Netherlands.

For further information please refer to the website of Citizenship and Immigration Canada: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/index.html