To scylla and other experts : I need your help as new Refugee

[New-Immi]

Dear scylla & other experts,

Please I need your help on this , I'm just arrived last month to Canada and I'm in the stage of submit my refugee claim this month Jan 2014 .
As far as you know Please could you inform me the followings :

1 - how long expected waiting period for my hearing ?

2- Which best , hire a lawyer from Legal Aid Or hire private immigration consultant ?

3- I left my wife and two kids back home , are there any chances to bring them to Canada during my refugee process?

4- Currently I don’t have where to live and I have no good funds to cover the house and expenses , Shall I get assistant by the Government?

Your kind help and comments are highly appreciated .

Thanks alot
New refugee

 

[scylla]

I have no experience with the refugee program and can only repeat the information on the CIC web site.

1. Processing time is around 1 year according to CIC. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/times/perm-other.asp

2. I don't know.

3. You need to include your family in your application. However I don't believe it will be possible to bring them to Canada until you are accepted as a refugee. They can try applying for a tourist visa, however it's pretty much guaranteed the tourist visa would be refused due to your refugee claim.

4. I don't know. The only information I can find on the CIC web site with regards to financial support only applies to those who have claimed refugee status from outside of Canada.

 

[scylla]

For question 4 - see the link below. If you don't have money to support yourself then you may be able to obtain an open work permit so that you can earn money to cover your expenses. So this is what you should be looking into if you don't have funds.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=177&t=17

Who can apply for an open work permit?

You may be eligible to apply for an open work permit if you are in one of the following situations:

7. You have filed a claim for refugee protection in Canada and
- you are waiting for the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada to decide on your claim; and
- you cannot pay for your basic needs without working.

 

[New-Immi]

Thanks alot Scylla ,

Also please As far as you know , while I'm under refugee claim process and on waiting for my hearing , What kind of documents AM I eligible to receive :

1- Health care ?
2-SIN Document?
3-Refuge travel document .

Thanks for your kind answers

 

[scylla]

1. Partial coverage: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/releases/2012/2012-04-25.asp
2. If you apply and are approved for an open work permit then you will receive a temporary SIN
3. Yes - you can apply. Make sure you don't use it to travel home. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/helpcentre/answer.asp?q=610&t=11

 

[Gogia]

Just about Travel Document....i think travel document...will be only allowed and u can apply only if your refugee case accepted...after hearing.next week...u can apply it. ...but before refugee hearing and approval of ur case its not possible...thats i think...if i am wrong...plz some one correct me...thanks...

 

[scylla]

Just about Travel Document....i think travel document...will be only allowed and u can apply only if your refugee case accepted...after hearing.next week...u can apply it. ...but before refugee hearing and approval of ur case its not possible...thats i think...if i am wrong...plz some one correct me...thanks...
[/quote

Yes - I think that's correct.

 

[New-Immi]

Thanks all for your kind answers !

 

[Gogia]

thanks syclla...for confirmation..