Tanya Bloomfield says being transgendered makes her a target for hate in Europe. (CBC)

A transgendered Irish woman living in Nova Scotia has been deemed eligible to apply for refugee status, her lawyer says.

Tanya Bloomfield is originally from Ireland and has been in Canada since 2006. She said being transgendered will make her a target for hate if she is sent back to live in Europe.

Immigration officials on Thursday gave Bloomfield 28 days to file a 16-page, 35-question document to claim refugee status, said Lee Cohen, Bloomfield's lawyer.

Cohen and Bloomfield will then start preparing for a hearing that will take place sometime in the next 12 to 18 months.

They will attempt to prove that Bloomfield will be persecuted if she returns home, based on human rights records and the personal testimonies of other transgendered people.

Cohen admits the case will face some serious obstacles.

"We're cognizant of the possibility that the refugee board might say, 'Well, if you couldn't find safety in Northern Ireland, why couldn't you do so elsewhere in the European Union?'" Cohen said. "That would be a legal issue, and at this point, we haven't researched it, but we will probably argue that she shouldn't be obliged to live in another country."

Bloomfield became a local hero earlier this year when she raised money for the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgendered community by running the Scotiabank Blue Nose Marathon barefoot.

She owns and operates a computer business outside Chester, N.S., called Computer Angels.

Bloomfield said Thursday's news is encouraging.

"I think you can only but feel enthusiastic," she said. "I'm able to now remain in Canada whilst this process goes on. I'm able to continue working in my business as part of being found to be eligible. I'm able to get a work permit. I'm able to get some very basic health care as well."

She said her goal is to grow her business and create jobs for at least three Canadians.