What Is a Protected Person?

A Protected Person is someone who has been formally recognized by Canadian immigration authorities as needing protection because returning to their home country would expose them to persecution, torture, or a serious risk to life. This recognition is typically granted by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada following a successful refugee claim, or by IRCC through a positive Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA).

Once recognized, a Protected Person has the legal right to remain in Canada and may apply for permanent residence under Canada’s protected persons pathway.

At Ayodele Law, we help clients move from refugee protection to permanent resident status with clear legal strategy, careful documentation, and timely filings. Our role is to ensure that the transition from protection to permanence is handled properly — without unnecessary delays, refusals, or future sponsorship barriers.

Who Is Eligible to Apply as a Protected Person?

You may be eligible to apply for permanent residence as a Protected Person if you are currently in Canada and have received a positive decision recognizing you as either:

• A Convention Refugee, or

• A Person in Need of Protection

This determination is usually issued by the Refugee Protection Division after a refugee hearing, or by IRCC following a positive PRRA decision. If you are unsure whether your status qualifies, legal review is important before submitting a permanent residence application.

Certain restrictions may apply. You may be ineligible if you have permanent protection in another country, face serious criminal inadmissibility, or have been designated a Designated Foreign National (DFN).

What Happens After You Are Recognized as a Protected Person?

Once your claim is accepted, you gain the legal right to remain in Canada and begin the permanent residence process. Most Protected Persons may apply for permanent residence shortly after receiving their positive decision and may include eligible family members who are either in Canada or abroad.

While your permanent residence application is being processed, you may be eligible to work legally and access health care coverage. Applying as soon as you are eligible helps avoid unnecessary delays, supports family reunification, and reduces the risk of future complications.

If your refugee claim or PRRA was refused before protection was granted, different appeal or review options may have applied at that stage.

Why Legal Guidance Matters After You’re Granted Protection

Receiving Protected Person status is a major milestone — but it is not the end of the process. Permanent residence applications involve strict forms, identity documentation, family declarations, and background disclosures. Errors or omissions at this stage can result in returned applications, long processing delays, or permanent limitations on sponsoring family members in the future.

This is especially important for individuals who have complex travel histories, limited identity documents, overseas family members, or past immigration refusals.

We assist Protected Persons with:

• Preparing complete and accurate permanent residence applications

• Advising on family inclusion and overseas processing timelines

• Addressing inadmissibility or documentation concerns before filing

• Coordinating biometrics and medical requirements

• Responding to procedural fairness concerns if they arise

Our goal is to help you move from temporary protection to permanent status as efficiently and safely as possible — with your long-term immigration future protected.