What is a Safe Third Country Agreement?

A Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) is a bilateral or multilateral arrangement between nations that establishes rules about refugee claims. The fundamental principle of these agreements is that asylum seekers must make their claim in the first "safe country" they arrive in, rather than choosing or traveling through countries to claim asylum elsewhere.

These agreements are based on the premise that if a country is deemed "safe" for refugees (offering fair asylum procedures and basic protections), asylum seekers who have already reached that country shouldn't proceed to another country to make their claim.

Canada's Current STCA Status

Canada currently has a Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States that has been in effect since 2004. Under this agreement:

• Asylum seekers who arrive at official land border crossings from the U.S. are generally turned back and required to make their claim in the United States.
• The agreement primarily applies to official border crossings and has historically had exceptions for certain groups (including unaccompanied minors and those with family members in Canada).

Recent Developments

As of March 2025, Canada has significantly expanded its STCA with the United States. In 2023, the agreement was extended to cover the entire land border between Canada and the U.S., closing what was previously known as the "Roxham Road loophole" (unofficial crossing points where asylum seekers could enter Canada and still make claims).

The expanded agreement means that asylum seekers who cross anywhere along the Canada-U.S. border, whether at official ports of entry or not, will generally be returned to the United States.

Canada has also been exploring potential safe third country agreements with other nations as part of its broader strategy to manage irregular migration, though no additional finalized agreements have been officially announced yet.

Disclaimer: Please note that the policies and the regulations are subject to change. The information provided in this article is intended for general guidance and may not reflect the most current legal developments at the time of your application. If you intend to seek personalized advice and guidance pertaining to your application, feel free to reach out to us at the below details:

Email: psucu@yahoo.com

Website: www.pericanimmigration.com

Phone: +1(604)-603-4462

PeriCan Immigration Services Inc.