Glossary

A de facto dependant is a person who does not meet the definition of family member but who is nonetheless considered by the Principal Applicant (PA) to be an integral member of the family unit. The Visa Officer must be satisfied that this person is dependent on the family unit in which membership is claimed and cannot apply as a family member. The dependency may be emotional or economic and will often be a combination of these factors. Such a person would normally, but not exclusively, reside with the PA as a member of the same household and must be the dependants of a PA who has been determined to be a member of one of the three refugee classes. The de facto dependant must also meet the definition of refugee in his own right even when a dependency relationship is established. (See IP3, Part 1 Section 6.11)

The Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations defines "dependant" in respect of a person as

Destining is the process whereby best efforts are made to send (destine) refugees to a location within Canada, where community resources and services will best support their resettlement and integration needs.

The three durable solutions for refugees and persons in "refugee-like" situations are:

1. Voluntary repatriation or resettlement in their country of nationality or habitual residence 
2. Local integration in their country of asylum 
3. Resettlement to a third country
4. Internal Flight Alternative