Refugee questions- please read

[HWKH]

Hello, I'm currently an international student in the US. I'm from Kuwait and after graduating I'm going back to kuwait to work for a year to make money, then move to canada with a visitor visa then apply as a refugee there. My reason is that in Kuwait, it's illegal to be gay and they'd throw you in jail and you're socially unaccepted, and as a gay person I feel endangered. Also because I'm Atheist and everyone in Kuwait is Muslim and also, as an Atheist you're socially unaccepted.

Now, my questions are:
1-Do you think that's a reasonable excuse and should I expect an easy acceptance?

2-While I'm in Canada with my visitor visa waiting for my Refugee Application decision, can I get a job even though I'm still not a citizen? (I'll be carrying a Bachelor of Business Administration in Economics)

3-What's better, returning to my country after graduating and working for a year then go to Canada with a visitor visa then apply for refugee there.
OR applying for refugee while I'm in my last year in University then go back to my country, work for a year and by that time I'd get a response from them then move to Canada as a refugee if accepted?

4-Can you apply for refugee while you're in your country or is it necessary to be outside your country?

5-What documents do they require for me to apply for refugee?

Also how long would it take overall if I applied in Canada, and how long would it Take if I applied while I'm in the US?
That's all, thank you in advance. It really means a lot to me

 

[scylla]

If you chose to apply for refugee status - don't expect it to be an easy process. The burden of proof will be on you to demonstrate that you qualify. Based on the information you have provided, I don't think your acceptance will be easy.

You can't apply from the US for refugee status in Canada. If you're in the US, the only thing you can apply for is refugee status in the US.

You can apply from inside Canada.

If you want to apply from outside of Canada (e.g. from Kuwait), then you will first have to be recognized by UNHCR (or a similar organization) as a refugee and then chosen for resettlement in Canada.

I think Canada will question your claim for the following reasons. If you really need refugee protection, why didn't you apply for US refugee status while the US? Why did you willingly chose to return to Kuwait? This is not the behaviour of a true refugee. A true refugee would apply for refugee status in the first country they reach. (Note that if you come to Canada immediately after being in the US you will not be able to apply for refugee status in Canada due to the third country agreement which states that you must claim refugee status in the first country you reach.)

More information about the refugee process can be found here:

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/index.asp