last day (15 days later) » 

14:12
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Q: Boarding a flight without a visa intending to claim asylum

gekkogurruI don't have a Canadian visa. I believe I can get and qualify for refugee status... The problem is getting to Canada. Is it possible for me to board a flight to Canada and once I arrive at immigration claim that I want to apply for refugee status? Would an airline allow me to board a flight to ...

Moo
Moo
No, the airline won't allow you to board in those circumstances. We don't advise on illegal activities here. What's your nationality?
Tom
Tom
Most airlines require you to prove admissibility before they will board you. So the generic answer is No. Your only real other course of action is to exit the country you feel persecuted in and try apply for refugee status in another country.
It sounds like you don't qualify for refugee status but rather are better suited for skilled immigration.
@Moo I am not asking to do anything illegal, how is anything illegal by what I asked? ** INFACT im trying to take the correct legal route ** hence me asking the question, and wanting to go straight to an immigration agent when I get to Canada.
Moo
Moo
@gekkogurru if you don't intend to try and sneak in illegally, you need to rephrase that portion of your post, because that's how it reads to me...
14:12
@BurhanKhalid Thank you for your comment yes I am skilled and qualified not on the skilled shortage list though :( How can you say It sounds like I dont qualify for refugee status, without knowing my circumstances. with due respect? I check all the requirements on the CIC website....I just need to get to Canada to process my claim. Yes I am Caucasian, yes my mother tongue is English, yes my religion is Christian (atheist) but that should and does not count against me. Im in real danger of genocide when returning to my home country, because of my race and heritage
@Moo appologies I dont, I was just using it as a hypothetical question to what alternative I have if I cant board an airline? But will edit. I do however have solid legal evidence that I am in real danger of a genocide attack, do you know if an airline would accept that?
What I meant by my comment was that it may be quicker for you to apply for immigration rather than asylum. You could also (if you qualify) arrive in Canada as a visitor and then claim asylum. Just a small point though - Christian Atheist is a contradiction in terms =)
Moo
Moo
@gekkogurru no, the airline won't accept that - they get fined if they land an ineligible traveller, so if you don't have a visa and you aren't eligible for a visa on the border, the airline won't board you. Why Canada? Why can't you travel to a neighbouring country and claim asylum?
@BurhanKhalid yeah out of scope but still deciding to which part im leaning ;)
Airlines do not accept claims of impending harm, risk of genocide or others in lieu of visas. If you are in real risk of genocide, I suggest you contact your nearest refugee agency (such as the UNHCR).
@Moo because I always thought and have been told -- Canada is always there for those in need and is the most friendly country for refugees. Why not neighboring country....? It's hard being a Caucasian in Africa with European heritage. The fear is constant....starting to make sense?
@BurhanKhalid Thank you for ongoing help. I do know my race / ethnicity according to UNCHR is on the highest level of the genocide watch list so I believe I can get sponsored by them...I haven't really looked into this option. Thank you for advice, will research and give feedback.
Moo
Moo
14:12
@ZachLipton Have you read the edits?
@Moo My apologies. I was just doing that, and now I see precisely how that happened. Perfectly reasonable insinuation since it used to literally be in the question...
Moo
Moo
@ZachLipton no worries :)
@BurhanKhalid Christian Atheists do in fact exist, though they are very rare and I don't know of anywhere they are persecuted.
@gekkogurru There are plenty of countries in Africa where Christian Caucasians are not persecuted. I would recommend trying one of those.
In practice, this is one of the ways that countries limit the number of refugees they receive. They have obligations under international law to consider the claims of any refugees who arrive on their soil or at their border, so they make it difficult for people to arrive in the first place - e.g. by forbidding airlines to board anyone that doesn't already have a visa.
@Moo given that refugees cannot be penalized for illegal entry into the country of refuge, it is not appropriate to refrain from discussing that because of SE policy. The refugee convention specifically contemplates that refugees may enter countries illegally and protects their rights if they do so.
14:12
try south africa?
14:55
@DJClayworth not about religion it is about European heritage, language and race. I am considered to be "evil" part of the the "oppressors" who put the native folks in chains during colonialism. Im at stage 5 (the highest level) of world gencide watch list... so what should I do, just wait around to be murdered. 33% of my ethnicity and language group has been wiped out.
Moo
Moo
15:07
@phoog it's still illegal.
Moo
Moo
15:23
@phoog anyone helping a refugee break laws can still potentially be prosecuted, even if the refugee themselves cannot.
@gekkogurru "Stage 5" is not the highest level of genocide watch list. There are stages 6 and 7 that are higher. genocidewatch.org/images/Countries_at_Risk_Report_2012.pdf. I am not saying that you are not at risk in your home country, but the many people I know living in Africa tell me that there are plenty of countries where a Caucasian may live without fear of persecution. If you wish you can tell us which is your home country.
15:46
My mistake, there are also Genocide stages 8, 9 and 10, all more severe than stage 5.
 
2 hours later…
17:55
@Moo That may be true, but I don't see why it is relevant.

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