I want to apply for asylum in transit

[kolly271]

I'm a 29-year-old gay man from Nigeria. I attempted suicide at 17 due to my sexuality and have been hiding my identity my entire life. I'm HIV positive, which I contracted through relationships I couldn't openly acknowledge.

My family doesn't know I'm gay. They're pressuring me to marry before my younger sister (25) as per our culture. Extended family, counselors, and community members are all involved in finding me a wife. The pressure is overwhelming.

In Nigeria, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. LGBTI+ people face severe persecution, violence, and discrimination. I cannot live openly or safely.

I'm considering applying for asylum in Canada while in transit. Has anyone successfully done this? What documentation or evidence is helpful for LGBTI+ asylum claims? Any advice would be appreciated.

 

[Naturgrl]

So you have an approved transit visa? If not that is your first step because it is just like getting a TRV. You need funds, ties to return, travel history etc. You are flying directly from Nigeria to Canada and then transiting to where?

 

[kolly271]

So you have an approved transit visa? If not that is your first step because it is just like getting a TRV. You need funds, ties to return, travel history etc. You are flying directly from Nigeria to Canada and then transiting to where?

I want to use Dominica as my destination, then transit through Canada. I have a business here in Nigeria with good turnover, but it's adding to my problem because I don't have an excuse not to marry.

 

[Naturgrl]

I want to use Dominica as my destination, then transit through Canada. I have a business here in Nigeria with good turnover, but it's adding to my problem because I don't have an excuse not to marry.

So how are you getting a direct flight to Canada from Nigeria? Don't think Canada even has flights to Dominica either. If flying through Europe first then claim asylum there.

 

[kolly271]

So how are you getting a direct flight to Canada from Nigeria? Don't think Canada even has flights to Dominica either. If flying through Europe first then claim asylum there.

I'm afraid because I don't think they accept asylum requests during transit. Please, if you know how I can do this, help me I'm tired of this life. In fact, I can't hold on anymore. I'm using this as my last resort hope.

 

[Naturgrl]

I'm afraid because I don't think they accept asylum requests during transit. Please, if you know how I can do this, help me I'm tired of this life. In fact, I can't hold on anymore. I'm using this as my last resort hope.

You can apply in transit. But getting a transit visa will be difficult because a) no need to transit through Canada as you transit through Europe first and b) need to show a lot of money, ties to return and strong travel history. You cannot fly directly to Canada so if you are transiting through Heathrow then claim asylum there. Look at European countries to claim asylum because that is where you need to go through first.

You are coming from a country with the highest rate of asylum seekers.

 

[Copingwithlife]

I'm afraid because I don't think they accept asylum requests during transit. Please, if you know how I can do this, help me I'm tired of this life. In fact, I can't hold on anymore. I'm using this as my last resort hope.

I’d be more focused on how you’d get a transit visa in the first place

Or apply for a transit visa as mentioned thru the EU

Or this link . Six countries in Africa that have legalized same sex relationships

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/co...h Africa became,to conduct same-sex marriages.

 

[canuck78]

I want to use Dominica as my destination, then transit through Canada. I have a business here in Nigeria with good turnover, but it's adding to my problem because I don't have an excuse not to marry.

This would be an extremely unusual travel route that would raise suspicion when it comes to the true goals of your travels. You can certainly try to get a transit visa but realistically you would be much better off trying to claim asylum in a transit country that makes sense on a route to Dominica. Typical travel routes would either go through the US or Europe. Would make no sense to fly through Canada.

 

[kolly271]

I’d be more focused on how you’d get a transit visa in the first place

Or apply for a transit visa as mentioned thru the EU

Or this link . Six countries in Africa that have legalized same sex relationships

https://www.globalcitizen.org/en/content/countries-legalized-same-sex-relationships-africa/#:~:text=In 2006, South Africa became,to conduct same-sex marriages.

My case may be worse, like South Africa xenophobia, and other countries without medical support for hiv, even some restrict people living with hiv, which means I can have peace there

 

[canuck78]

My case may be worse, like South Africa xenophobia, and other countries without medical support for hiv, even some restrict people living with hiv, which means I can have peace there

So you are living in South Africa now? Given your proposed travel plans Canada is unlikely to grant you a transit visa. Your application would be a huge red flag for potential asylum claim. If you buy a plane ticket make sure it is refundable. Remember a case when there were travellers from Argentina trying to go to Japan on vacation and got denied transit visas from Canada and their itinerary made sense and no huge red flags in their profiles.

 

[kolly271]

So you are living in South Africa now? Given your proposed travel plans Canada is unlikely to grant you a transit visa. Your application would be a huge red flag for potential asylum claim. If you buy a plane ticket make sure it is refundable. Remember a case when there were travellers from Argentina trying to go to Japan on vacation and got denied transit visas from Canada and their itinerary made sense and no huge red flags in their profiles.

I am living in Nigeria, not South Africa. The reason I chose Dominica is that it is a visa-free country for Nigeria. Another visa-free country for Nigeria is Haiti - maybe I should consider Haiti instead.


What I need is just transit to a safe country, but I am concerned about being arrested or not getting the chance to reach a place where I can claim asylum. This is why I need help. I have sent messages to some organizations like Rainbow Road, but I haven't received any response.

 

[scylla]

I'm a 29-year-old gay man from Nigeria. I attempted suicide at 17 due to my sexuality and have been hiding my identity my entire life. I'm HIV positive, which I contracted through relationships I couldn't openly acknowledge.

My family doesn't know I'm gay. They're pressuring me to marry before my younger sister (25) as per our culture. Extended family, counselors, and community members are all involved in finding me a wife. The pressure is overwhelming.

In Nigeria, homosexuality is illegal and punishable by up to 14 years in prison. LGBTI+ people face severe persecution, violence, and discrimination. I cannot live openly or safely.

I'm considering applying for asylum in Canada while in transit. Has anyone successfully done this? What documentation or evidence is helpful for LGBTI+ asylum claims? Any advice would be appreciated.

Yes, people have successfully claimed asylum during transit. As others have said, the first step is to successfully obtain the TRV / transit visa.

Note that you are from a country that has high refusal rates for TRVs. You will need strong evidence of ties to be approved and also be able to demonstrate sufficient savings.

 

[scylla]

I am living in Nigeria, not South Africa. The reason I chose Dominica is that it is a visa-free country for Nigeria. Another visa-free country for Nigeria is Haiti - maybe I should consider Haiti instead.


What I need is just transit to a safe country, but I am concerned about being arrested or not getting the chance to reach a place where I can claim asylum. This is why I need help. I have sent messages to some organizations like Rainbow Road, but I haven't received any response.

Do you have a strong travel history? This is one of the things that will be considered when IRCC evaluates your transit visa application.

What would be your stated purpose of travel for going to Haiti?