Basis of Claim (BOC) Guide
Your Basis of Claim (BOC) is one of the most important parts of your refugee claim. It tells the Immigration and Refugee Board who you are, why you left your country and why you cannot return. Since November 3, 2026, new claimants give this information in their refugee claim application in the IRCC portal; claims referred before that date used the BOC form. This guide explains both.
Last updated: November 2026
What Is the Basis of Claim?
Your Basis of Claim (BOC) information is your answers to the Refugee Protection Division's (RPD) questions in your refugee claim application: who you are, who you fear in your country and why, any serious harm or persecution you have suffered, and why you cannot return. As of November 3, 2026, you must submit it in the IRCC portal as part of your application, together with any documents that support it. Family members applying together can rely on another member's answers, but each claimant must declare that the information is true, complete and correct. If your claim was referred to the RPD before November 3, 2026, you used the separate BOC form (which replaced the Personal Information Form in December 2012): inland claimants gave it to the officer by the eligibility decision, and port-of-entry claimants sent it to the RPD.
Your BOC is the foundation of your entire refugee claim. The member who decides your case will read it carefully and compare it with your oral testimony at the hearing. Inconsistencies between the two can harm your credibility.
How to Complete Your BOC
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.
Your Reasons for Claiming Protection
This is the most important part, whether in your IRCC portal application or in the narrative of the old BOC form. Explain clearly 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. Answer in English or French; if an interpreter helped you, they must complete an interpreter's declaration.
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 answers carefully, or have someone you trust review them, before you submit. Check for spelling errors, incorrect dates and missing information. You must sign the declaration yourself; a representative cannot sign it for you.
Timeline Requirements
Meeting your deadlines is critical. Missing a deadline can result in your claim being declared abandoned.
New Claims: Complete Your Application Within 60 Days
Once your claim is found eligible, you receive a Notice of Application Due Date. You then have 60 days to submit your complete application, including your BOC information and required documents, in the IRCC portal. If you need more time, you can ask once in the portal, before the original due date, for an automatic 30-day extension (it applies to your whole family group). If you claim inside Canada, you must first submit part 1 of the online application within 90 days of starting it.
Claims Referred Before November 3, 2026: BOC Form
Claims referred to the RPD before November 3, 2026 used the BOC form. Inland claimants gave it to the officer by the eligibility decision. Port-of-entry claimants had to send it to the RPD within 45 calendar days after referral under the earlier RPD practice notice. If this applies to you and something is still outstanding, contact the RPD or your counsel without delay.
After Referral: Send Your Evidence
Send evidence to the RPD only after you receive your Confirmation of Referral. Personal documents are due 30 days after referral; the RPD automatically allows 60 days for claims referred from November 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027, and claims referred before November 3, 2026 keep the old limit of 10 days before the hearing. Send country condition evidence at least 10 days before the hearing, and send copies to the Minister if the Minister intervenes.
Notice to Appear and Your Hearing
The RPD sends you a Notice to Appear with your hearing date. Any changes or additions to your BOC must be sent without delay using the RPD's mandatory form, generally no later than 5 days after you receive the notice; for claims referred on or before November 2, 2026, changes are due 10 days before the hearing if you receive the notice on or before January 3, 2027 (see the RPD practice notice). Hearings are often held 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 your BOC. You can upload personal evidence with your application in the IRCC portal; after your claim is referred, send any further evidence directly to the RPD by the deadline that applies to you.
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
Documents not in English or French must come with a translation and a signed declaration from a human translator (machine translation alone is not enough). Do not upload country condition evidence in the IRCC portal: send it to the RPD at least 10 days before your hearing. If the Minister intervenes, send the Minister a copy of everything you send to the RPD.
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 Basis of Claim?
Your Basis of Claim is the foundation of your refugee claim. If you need guidance completing it in the IRCC portal or updating it before your hearing, or want a professional review of your narrative, we are here to help you present your story clearly and consistently.
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