A Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) evaluates if you face torture or persecution upon deportation. If processed normally, IRCC takes 6 to 12 months to make a decision. However, if the CBSA has already scheduled your flight, the process is expedited, and IRCC will make a decision before your removal date.
Understanding the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)
Canada has strict international and domestic obligations to never deport someone to a country where they face torture, risk to life, or cruel and unusual punishment. If you are facing deportation from cities like Montreal, Edmonton, or Halifax, the Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is often the absolute final safeguard. It is a formal application evaluated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) right before a removal order is enforced.
You cannot simply apply for a PRRA whenever you want. 🚨 The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) must officially notify you that you are eligible to apply. This usually happens when they are preparing to execute your removal order. For many people, such as failed refugee claimants, the PRRA is a chance to present brand new evidence of danger that has arisen in their home country since their original refugee hearing was denied.
Failing to respond to a PRRA notification properly will result in your immediate deportation. The legal arguments required for a successful PRRA are incredibly complex, focusing heavily on human rights law and country condition documentation. It is highly advised to browse our directory and retain an experienced Canadian deportation defence lawyer immediately upon receiving your PRRA notification.
Step-by-Step Process: Filing a PRRA Application
The PRRA process is governed by incredibly strict, unforgiving deadlines. If you miss these deadlines, your application is deemed abandoned, and your deportation will proceed.
Step 1: Receiving the Official PRRA Notification
The process begins when a CBSA officer hands you a PRRA notification letter, usually during a scheduled interview or via mail. 📩 From the exact date you receive this form, a strict legal countdown begins. You are temporarily protected from deportation while the application is active.
Step 2: Submitting the Application Form (15 Days)
You have exactly 15 days to complete and submit the basic PRRA application form to IRCC. If you apply by mail, you are granted an additional 7 days for mailing time. Filing this form tells the government that you intend to fight your removal.
Step 3: Submitting Written Evidence (An Extra 15 Days)
After filing the initial form, you have another 15 days to submit your legal arguments and written evidence. 📂 This is where your lawyer will submit medical reports, news articles, police reports from your home country, and legal submissions proving that you face a personalized risk if deported.
Step 4: IRCC Officer Review
A specialized IRCC PRRA officer will review your file. In most cases, there is no in-person hearing; the decision is made entirely based on the paper evidence you provided. The officer strictly evaluates whether you meet the legal definition of a person in need of protection under Section 97 of the IRPA.
Step 5: The Final PRRA Decision
If the PRRA is approved, your removal order is cancelled, and you are generally granted Protected Person status, allowing you to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence. 👤 If refused, your temporary stay of removal is lifted, and the CBSA will immediately proceed with booking your flight out of Canada.
Normal PRRA vs. Expedited PRRA Timelines
The speed at which IRCC processes your PRRA depends entirely on how aggressive the CBSA is being with your removal schedule.
| Scenario | CBSA Action | IRCC Processing Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| Normal Processing | CBSA gives you the PRRA forms but has not yet booked a flight. | Typically takes 6 to 12 months to receive a final decision. |
| Expedited Processing | CBSA issues you a formal “Direction to Report” with a scheduled flight date. | IRCC will rush the file and issue a decision days or hours before the flight. |
| Subsequent PRRA | Applying for a second PRRA (No automatic stay of removal). | Highly variable, but CBSA can deport you before it is even decided. |
How Much Does it Cost in Canada?
The financial cost of a PRRA is mostly tied to the extensive legal work required to build a winning case. Here are the typical expenses.
- Government Filing Fee: The IRCC fee to file a standard PRRA is usually $0 CAD.
- Document Translation: Translating foreign police reports and affidavits into English or French generally costs $50 to $100 CAD per page.
- Country Condition Reports: Lawyers may hire foreign experts or human rights academics to write custom reports about your home country, costing $500 to $2,000+ CAD.
- Lawyer Fees: Retaining an immigration lawyer to draft the extensive legal submissions for a PRRA generally ranges from $3,000 to $7,000+ CAD.
How Long Does the Process Take?
Because the PRRA is an emergency measure, you must act fast. ⏱ Keep these critical timelines in mind for 2026.
- Application Deadline: Exactly 15 days from receiving the notification.
- Evidence Deadline: Exactly 30 days from receiving the notification (the first 15 days + 15 extra days for evidence).
- Decision Wait Time: Depending on IRCC backlogs, it takes anywhere from a few weeks to 12 months.
- The 12-Month Bar: If your refugee claim was rejected by the IRB, you are legally barred from applying for a PRRA for 12 months (or 36 months for certain safe countries).
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Can I apply for a work permit while waiting for my PRRA decision?
Yes. If you have submitted a complete PRRA application and you do not currently have a valid work permit, you can apply for an open work permit from IRCC to support yourself while you wait for the decision.
Do I get an in-person hearing for a PRRA?
In almost all cases, no. A PRRA is a paper-based assessment. An in-person hearing is only granted in extremely rare circumstances where the officer determines there is a critical issue of credibility that can only be resolved face-to-face.
What happens if my PRRA is rejected?
If rejected, the statutory stay of removal is immediately cancelled. The CBSA will move forward with your deportation. Your only remaining legal option is to file for Judicial Review at the Federal Court of Canada and simultaneously request an emergency Stay of Removal.
Can I include new evidence that wasn’t in my refugee claim?
Yes, and you must. A PRRA is not an appeal of your refugee claim. By law, the PRRA officer will generally only consider new evidence that arose after your refugee rejection, or evidence that was reasonably unavailable to you during your IRB hearing.
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