Pre-removal risk assessment · Canada
Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) lawyers in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver
A pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) asks Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) not to remove you to a country where you would face persecution, torture or a risk to your life. It is often your last chance to have that risk considered, and the deadlines are very short.
- PRRA applications and written submissions
- Refugee claims found ineligible under Bill C-12
- Federal Court review and stays of removal
Book a PRRA consultation
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PRRA notice from CBSA? Apply within 15 days of being notified (22 days if the notice was mailed) to keep the automatic stay of removal. A late application does not stop removal.
Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, became law on March 26, 2026. For claims made on or after June 3, 2025, two new rules stop some claims from being heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board.
- The one-year rule: claims made more than one year after first entering Canada (for entries after June 24, 2020) are not sent to the Board, even if you left and came back
- The 14-day rule: people who crossed from the United States between official border crossings and claimed after 14 days are not sent to the Board
- IRCC may first send a procedural fairness letter with a short window to respond. Correct dates or an exemption can change the outcome
- If your claim is found ineligible, there is no Board hearing. Your risk is decided through a PRRA instead, usually once removal steps begin
If you receive a procedural fairness letter about your claim, contact us right away.
A PRRA is usually decided on paper by an IRCC officer, so your written submissions and evidence carry the whole case.
- Apply within 15 days of being notified, then file written submissions within 15 more days. No decision can be made before those 30 days end
- If your refugee claim was refused, you can generally rely only on evidence that is new or was not reasonably available before
- An oral hearing is held only in some cases, usually where your credibility is a central issue
If your PRRA is refused, the deadline to go to the Federal Court is 15 days.
- Check eligibility and deadlinesWe confirm when you were notified, your deadlines, and whether the 12-month bar or Bill C-12 affects you.
- File on timeWe file your PRRA application within the 15 days so the stay of removal is protected.
- Submissions and evidenceWe prepare detailed written submissions with country evidence and documents about your personal risk.
- Decision and next stepsIf refused, we act quickly on Federal Court review and a stay of removal.
PRRA questions
A PRRA is an application to IRCC asking not to be removed from Canada because you would face persecution, torture, a risk to your life or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. An IRCC officer decides it, usually on paper.
You cannot apply on your own. CBSA gives you a notice when you are eligible, usually when your removal is being arranged. The notice starts the deadline, so keep it and contact a lawyer right away.
Generally yes, if you apply within 15 days of being notified: your removal is stayed until a decision is made. A late application, a second PRRA or an application at the border does not stop removal.
Under Bill C-12, some claims made on or after June 3, 2025 are no longer heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board. Your risk can still be assessed through a PRRA, and in some cases a humanitarian and compassionate application can also be filed.
You can apply to the Federal Court for leave and judicial review within 15 days. Applying does not automatically stop removal, so a motion for a stay of removal is often needed at the same time.
Official sources: IRCC: PRRA timelines and eligibilityIRCC: Bill C-12 asylum measures
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Pre-removal risk assessment help in Abbotsford, Surrey and Vancouver
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Facing removal from Canada?
Book an urgent consultation and we will explain your options and deadlines.