Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) in Canada:

At Crest Attorneys, we have the legal expertise to represent and help people undergoing the process of the  Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA)

A PRRA is a risk assessment process done in Canada before a person facing deportation is removed. It gives the person a final opportunity to have their situation reviewed and to show whether removal to their country could expose them to persecution, torture, or a risk to life.

Unlike a refugee claim, which is handled and decided by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), a PRRA is jointly handled by the Canada Border Service Agency ( CBSA) and the Immigration, Refugee and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), but it is ultimately decided by the IRCC.

The CBSA initiates the process of applying for PRRA by notifying eligible individuals that they can apply after the CBSA has begun the process of removal from Canada. The CBSA provides the necessary application forms and instructions, and will handle the removal if the PRRA  application is refused.

After being notified of being eligible to apply for PRRA, the actual written application is submitted to the IRCC, where it is decided through specialized officers who assess the risk of returning a person to their home country. These officers review all written submissions and documentary evidence and may hold an oral hearing in complex cases where credibility is a key issue, though most decisions are paper-based.

You cannot simply decide to apply for PRRA on your own. In most cases, a CBSA officer must determine that you are eligible and provide you with a notification and instructions.

On March 26, 2026, Canada’s Bill C-12  received royal assent to become a new law in Canada with severe restrictions and limitations on refugee claims to render some claims ineligible for referral to the IRB.  The key provisions of the new law include:

1. The“one-year”  eligibility rule:

This applies to asylum claims made more than one year after first entering Canada, by persons who first entered Canada after June 24, 2020, regardless of whether they left the country and returned after their first entry

2. The“14 days” eligibility rule:

 This applies to asylum claims made by people who irregularly entered Canada from the United States and made a claim for asylum after 14 days of their entry. Such claims are now ineligible for referral to the IRB

Individuals whose asylum claims are found ineligible under these rules may still be eligible to apply for a PRRA if informed by the CBSA that they are eligible for it.

PRRA may be your last chance to stop removal from Canada. Do not wait—consult a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.

The PRRA process starts when CBSA gives you a notice of eligibility for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment. This notice tells you that you may apply and explains
your deadline.

The usual process looks like this:

1:CBSA issues a PRRA notice.

2:You complete the PRRA application form.

3: You submit written submissions and supporting evidence.

4:IRCC reviews the file, conducts a hearing if necessary, and makes a decision.

5:If the decision is unfavorable to you, you have the option to pursue a judicial review at the Federal Court, or you may be removed from Canada

In many cases, the application for PRRA must be completed and submitted within the timeline set in the notice.

Canada is implementing a temporary public policy to allow the issuance of a work permit to people affected by the new law whose refugee claim has been found ineligible for referral to the IRB.

This work permit may be issued before a person is notified that they may apply for a PRRA, and it is valid for the duration of the period that removal is stayed. It also prevents an existing work permit from being automatically cancelled when the removal order becomes enforceable under s.243.2 of the Regulations.

A strong PRRA application is not just about saying you are afraid to return to your country. You need evidence that clearly shows the risk you would face in your country.

 Useful evidence can include:

• Recent country condition reports.
• New threats or warrants.
• Medical records.
• Police reports.
• Proof of identity or membership in a targeted group.
• Statements explaining why protection is unavailable in your home

The most persuasive evidence is usually current, specific, and relevant to your personal situation. Evidence that is old, generic, or unrelated to your current risk is usually less helpful.

Deadlines matter a lot in PRRA cases. The notice from CBSA will tell you exactly when to submit the application and supporting documents.

After submission, IRCC reviews the application and decides whether you should be protected from removal. If your PRRA is approved, it may stop removal and give you protection based on the risks identified. Upon approval, you may also be eligible to apply for a work permit or permanent residence, depending on the circumstances of your immigration status before the PRRA

If the PRRA is refused, the removal proceeding will resume unless you apply for judicial review at the Federal Court or you explore other legal options

Many Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) applications are weakened by avoidable mistakes. The most common issues are missing deadlines, submitting weak evidence, repeating old refugee claim arguments without new information, or failing to explain why the risk still exists now.

It is also a mistake to assume that a PRRA is automatic. Eligibility is limited, and CBSA must first tell you that you may apply.

PRRA may be your last chance to stop removal from Canada. Do not wait—consult a lawyer immediately to protect your rights.