FamiVisa pre-assessment tool
Check your possibility of claiming asylum in Canada from the United States
Find out whether your situation could correspond to an exception or a non-application situation under the Safe Third Country Agreement.
IMPORTANT
The Canada–U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement generally limits access to Canada's asylum system for people arriving from the United States. Certain exceptions and non-application situations exist.
This tool does not officially determine your eligibility. It only provides a pre-assessment based on the information you provide.
Do not cross the border irregularly based on the result of this tool. The applicable rules can depend on precise facts and on how entry into Canada is made.
Rules version : STCA 2026.2 · Sources reviewed on 2026-08-17 · Regime in force since 2023-03-25
Reference legal matrix
Each rule used by the tool is tied to an official provision, a condition and expected evidence.
| ID | Situation | Provision | Condition | Evidence | Outcome | Reviewed |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| STCA-FAM-01 | Family member in Canada | RIPR 159.5 a)–d) | Recognized relationship + qualifying status of the member in Canada (cousins excluded) | Proof of relationship + proof of status | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-MIN-01 | Unaccompanied minor | RIPR 159.5 e) | Under 18, not accompanied by a parent or legal guardian, no spouse or partner, and no parent or legal guardian in Canada or the United States | Birth certificate, proof of age, family situation | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-DOC-01 | Canadian document holder | RIPR 159.5 f) | Valid Canadian document (visa, permit, travel document) other than a transit visa | Document and proof of validity | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-VISA-01 | Visa-exempt for Canada but U.S. visa required | RIPR 159.5 g) | Cumulative conditions to verify | Passport and applicable visa rules | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-REF-01 | Refused entry to the U.S. without a claim being examined | RIPR 159.5 h)(i) | Entry refused without the claim being adjudicated | U.S. decision or documents | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-PR-01 | Canadian permanent resident ordered removed from the U.S. | RIPR 159.5 h)(ii) | Canadian PR status + U.S. removal order | PR card + U.S. removal documents | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-MORA-01 | National of a country subject to a stay of removals | RIPR 159.6 a) | Nationality of a country subject to a Canadian stay of removals, subject to the exclusions (serious criminality, organized criminality, security, human rights violations) | Passport or proof of nationality | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-DEATH-01 | Death penalty | RIPR 159.6 | Charge or conviction that could carry the death penalty | Court documents | Potential exception | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-ENTRY-01 | Entry between ports of entry — 14-day rule | RIPR 159.4(1.1) | Claim made within 14 days of a land border entry between ports of entry | Entry and claim dates | The Agreement applies, subject to the exceptions | 2026-08-17 |
| STCA-AIR-01 | Transit through a Canadian airport under U.S. removal | RIPR 159.4(2) | Person being removed from the U.S. transiting through Canada | U.S. removal documents, itinerary | Distinct regime — separate analysis required | 2026-08-17 |
Frequently asked questions about the STCA
Disclaimer
This tool provides a PRE-ASSESSMENT, not an eligibility decision. It guarantees neither entry to Canada nor the eligibility of a refugee claim, and in no way encourages irregular border crossing. Consult a refugee lawyer or a regulated Canadian immigration consultant (RCIC).