The three ways protection is actually granted: you were selected abroad as a refugee and arrive with your visa or a protection permit, the Board accepts your claim in Canada, or the Minister allows your application for protection. Once granted, you are a protected person, unless that decision is later undone.
(1)Refugee protection is conferred on a person when (a)the person has been determined to be a Convention refugee or a person in similar circumstances under a visa application and becomes a permanent resident under the visa or a temporary resident under a temporary resident permit for protection reasons; (b)the Board determines the person to be a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection; or (c)except in the case of a person described in subsection 112(3), the Minister allows an application for protection.