Basis of Claim (BOC) Form Guide
The Basis of Claim (BOC) form is one of the most critical documents in your refugee claim. It tells the Immigration and Refugee Board who you are, why you left your country, and why you cannot return. This guide will help you understand the form and complete it properly.
Last updated: October 2026
What Is the Basis of Claim Form?
The Basis of Claim (BOC) form is the official document used by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB to understand the basis of your refugee claim. (It replaced the former Personal Information Form in December 2012.) It contains your personal information, your travel history and, most importantly, your narrative explaining why you are seeking protection in Canada.
The BOC is the foundation of your entire refugee claim. The member who decides your case will read it carefully and will compare your written narrative with your oral testimony at the hearing. Inconsistencies between the two can harm your credibility.
How to Fill Out the BOC Form
Personal Information
Fill in your full legal name, date of birth, country of nationality, and other personal details exactly as they appear on your identity documents. Double-check all dates and spelling.
Travel and Immigration History
Provide a complete history of all countries you have lived in or travelled to. Include dates of entry and exit, immigration status in each country, and any identity documents used. Do not omit any countries or trips.
Previous Refugee Claims
Disclose any previous refugee claims made in Canada or any other country. Failure to disclose prior claims can seriously damage your credibility.
Section D: The Narrative
This is the most important part of the form. Your narrative should clearly explain who is persecuting you, why they are targeting you, what specific incidents have occurred, why your government cannot or will not protect you, and why you cannot safely relocate within your country.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Being Too Vague
Avoid general statements like 'I was threatened many times.' Instead, describe specific incidents with dates, locations, and details about what happened.
Inconsistencies with Other Evidence
Ensure your narrative matches your supporting documents, your port-of-entry interview notes, and any statements you have already made. Contradictions raise credibility concerns.
Omitting Important Details
Include all relevant incidents, even those that seem minor. Leaving out information and then raising it at the hearing can make the member question why it was not included earlier.
Including Irrelevant Information
Focus your narrative on the reasons for your claim. While context is important, excessive background information that does not relate to your persecution can distract from your core claim.
Submitting Without Review
Always review your form carefully, or have someone you trust review it before submission. Check for spelling errors, incorrect dates, and missing information.
Timeline Requirements
Meeting your deadlines is critical. Missing a deadline can result in your claim being declared abandoned.
Inland Claims: BOC with Your Claim
If you claim at an IRCC office inside Canada, you complete the BOC form online and submit it to IRCC as part of your claim, before the eligibility decision.
Port-of-Entry Claims: Within 45 Days
If you claimed at a port of entry, you must send your completed BOC form to the RPD within 45 calendar days after your claim is referred. If you need more time, ask the RPD for an extension at least 3 working days before the deadline.
Before Your Hearing: Gather Evidence
Collect and organize all supporting documents. Send them to the RPD (and to the Minister, if the Minister is a party) at least 10 days before your hearing date.
Your Hearing Date
Attend your hearing prepared with all documents and ready to present your testimony. Hearings are often scheduled many months after referral; the IRB reported an average of about 24 months from referral to decision at the end of 2025.
Evidence Requirements for Your BOC
Supporting evidence strengthens your refugee claim and corroborates the narrative in your BOC form. The following types of evidence should be gathered and submitted with your claim.
Identity Documents
- Passport (current or expired)
- National identity card
- Birth certificate
- Driver's licence from your country
- Military service documents
- Any other government-issued identification
Evidence of Persecution
- Police reports filed in your country
- Medical records documenting injuries
- Photographs of injuries or property damage
- Threatening letters, messages, or social media posts
- Court documents or arrest warrants
- News articles about incidents affecting you
Country Condition Documentation
- UNHCR reports on your country of origin
- Human Rights Watch and Amnesty International reports
- U.S. State Department Human Rights reports
- IRB National Documentation Package for your country
- Relevant news articles from credible media outlets
- Academic research or expert reports about conditions in your country
Supporting Statements
- Statutory declarations from witnesses
- Letters from community organizations
- Letters from religious leaders
- Psychological or psychiatric assessments
- Letters from settlement agencies or support workers
All documents not in English or French must be accompanied by a certified translation. Submit copies of your evidence to the RPD and the Minister's counsel at least 10 days before your hearing date.
Tips for Writing Your Narrative
- Write in the first person ('I was threatened...' not 'The claimant was threatened...')
- Organize your story chronologically from the earliest relevant event to the present
- Include specific dates whenever possible. If exact dates are unknown, provide approximate dates and explain why you cannot be more precise
- Name your persecutors if you can safely do so, and describe their relationship to you or to the government
- Describe the physical and emotional impact of each incident on you and your family
- Explain what steps you took to seek protection from authorities in your country and what happened when you did
- Explain why you chose to come to Canada and what route you took
- If there was a delay between leaving your country and making your claim, explain why
- Address the five elements of a Convention refugee claim: identity, persecution, nexus to a Convention ground, lack of state protection, and no internal flight alternative
- Have a trusted person or legal professional review your narrative before submission
Need Help With Your BOC Form?
The Basis of Claim form is the foundation of your refugee claim. If you need guidance completing it or want a professional review of your narrative, we are here to help you present your story clearly and consistently.
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