Afghan Refugees in Pakistan: Risks, Registration Issues, and What It Means for Canadian Options

Over a million Afghan refugees are in Pakistan under precarious conditions. This resource explains the registration situation, deportation risks, UNHCR's role, and what the current environment in Pakistan means for Afghans hoping to come to Canada.

This resource explains the situation for Afghan refugees in Pakistan as of 2026 — including the mass deportation operations that began in 2023, the documentation status of Afghans registered as Proof of Registration (PoR) cardholders vs. undocumented Afghans, UNHCR's ability to operate in Pakistan, and what this environment means for Canadian resettlement processes. It also addresses the practical question of whether Afghans in Pakistan can make an inland refugee claim in Canada.

Pakistan hosts one of the largest concentrations of Afghan refugees in the world. However, since 2023, Pakistan has conducted mass deportation operations targeting Afghans — including those with UNHCR registration cards. The operating environment for UNHCR in Pakistan has become increasingly restricted. These developments affect IRCC's ability to interview and process cases, and they affect Afghans' ability to remain safely in Pakistan while awaiting resettlement. Understanding the current situation clearly helps Afghans and their Canadian families make informed decisions.

• Pakistan formally hosts Afghan refugees under UNHCR PoR (Proof of Registration) cards — but since October 2023, Pakistan has conducted large-scale operations to deport Afghans, including some with PoR cards
• UNHCR has expressed serious concern about Pakistan's deportation operations and the risk of refoulement (forcible return to persecution) — UNHCR continues to advocate for the protection of Afghan refugees in Pakistan
• Afghans without any documentation in Pakistan face the greatest risk — they are particularly vulnerable to arrest, detention, and deportation
• IRCC continues to process cases from Pakistan but processing times may be affected by security clearance requirements, the operational environment, and the ability to conduct interviews
• Afghans in Pakistan cannot make a Canadian inland refugee claim from Pakistan — you must physically be in Canada to file an inland claim with the IRB