Refugee BOC and Evidence: Building a Clear Record

The Basis of Claim (BOC) form is a central part of a refugee protection claim in Canada. It presents the claim to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) and includes information about the claimant’s identity, family, documents, travel history and the reasons refugee protection is being requested. The information in the BOC becomes part of the record the RPD considers when deciding the claim.

Supporting evidence can include identity and travel documents, records connected to important events in the claim, medical or other professional records where relevant, communications, photographs, witness evidence and information about conditions in the claimant’s country. The purpose is not simply to submit as many documents as possible, but to provide material that helps support the facts and issues the RPD must consider. The IRB distinguishes between personal evidence and country-condition evidence.

The written record, supporting documents and later testimony should be reviewed together. A member of the RPD may ask questions about information contained in the BOC and also about matters that were not included in it. Errors, omissions, changes or apparent inconsistencies can therefore require careful review before the hearing. The RPD also has specific procedures governing the submission of evidence, late disclosure and amendments or additional information.

If you already have a BOC and supporting documents and need an individualized review of the existing record, consider a Professional Immigration Case Assessment. If your hearing is approaching and you need to understand the next stage of preparation, review Refugee Hearing Preparation. If you are not sure where your matter fits, Start Here.