If you’re facing removal from Canada, a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) application might be your last chance to remain in Canada. This critical process evaluates whether you face significant risks if deported to your home country.
Our Canada deportation lawyer will help you manage this complex application process and build the strongest possible case for protection.
A Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is a legal process that evaluates if a person would face persecution, torture, risk to life, or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if removed from Canada to their home country. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reviews these applications, while the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) oversees the removal process.
The PRRA offers protection for individuals who may not qualify under other immigration pathways but who genuinely face serious harm if deported. It serves as a final safety net in Canada’s immigration system, ensuring compliance with international human rights obligations.
The PRRA process begins when you receive a Notification Regarding a PRRA from the CBSA. This notification is typically issued after other immigration applications have been exhausted and when removal proceedings are being initiated.
Once you receive this notification, you must prepare and submit your application within the specified timeframe – usually 15 days for refugee claimants or 30 days for others. The application requires comprehensive documentation demonstrating the risks you would face if returned to your home country.
⚠️ Missing the deadline to submit your PRRA can result in automatic rejection and imminent deportation. Extensions are rarely granted, so immediate action is essential when you receive a PRRA notification.
After submission, an officer reviews your case to determine if you qualify for protection. If approved, you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Additional reading: how to stop a removal order in Canada
You are eligible to apply for a PRRA only if you have received an official notification from CBSA and are facing removal from Canada. Not everyone who is subject to a removal order will be eligible for a PRRA assessment.
Significant restrictions apply, particularly for those who have previously made a refugee claim. If your refugee claim was rejected by the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) within the last 12 months, you are generally ineligible to apply unless you can demonstrate new risks that have arisen since your hearing.
Those who are inadmissible to Canada due to security concerns, serious criminality, organized crime involvement, or human rights violations face additional hurdles, though they may still submit an application.
A PRRA application focuses specifically on risks of persecution, torture, or cruel and unusual treatment that an applicant would face upon return to their country. The officer evaluates only the safety risks, not other humanitarian factors.
In contrast, an application based on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C) considers a broader range of factors, including:
💡 You can submit both a PRRA and an H&C application simultaneously. While a PRRA addresses immediate safety concerns, an H&C application allows you to present a more complete picture of your circumstances and why you should be allowed to remain in Canada.
PRRA applications typically take 3-6 months to process, though this timeframe can vary significantly based on case complexity and current processing volumes. The assessment involves detailed review of all submitted documentation and verification of claims.
| Simple Case | Complex Case |
|---|---|
| Few documents (2–3 months) | Extensive documentation (4–8+ months) |
| Clear country conditions | Complex or disputed country conditions |
| No criminal inadmissibility | Criminal history or inadmissibility issues |
| No interpreter needed | Interpreter required |
| No judicial review history | Prior judicial reviews or appeals |
| Straightforward evidence assessment | New or evolving evidence submitted |
The PRRA application requires thorough documentation to substantiate your claims of risk. The primary form is the IMM 5508E, but supporting evidence is equally important:
Every page of supporting documentation must be properly translated into English or French by a certified translator. Missing or improperly translated documents can lead to rejection.
💡 If your circumstances have changed significantly since your refugee claim was rejected, document these changes thoroughly with specific evidence related to your personal situation rather than general country conditions.
Our team guides clients through gathering and organizing these documents, ensuring your PRRA application presents a coherent and compelling case for protection.
Reach out online or call (416) 988-8853 today to receive personalized guidance on your PRRA application and safeguard your future in Canada.
PRRA acceptance rates historically range between 3-5% nationally, making it one of the most challenging immigration applications in the Canadian system. These low approval rates reflect the high threshold for demonstrating risk and the fact that many applicants have already had their refugee claims assessed and rejected.
The acceptance rate varies significantly based on country of origin. Applicants from countries with well-documented human rights abuses typically have higher success rates than those from countries considered “safe” by Canadian authorities.
While acceptance rates are low, a well-prepared application with strong supporting evidence and clear legal arguments can substantially improve your chances. Professional legal representation often makes the difference between approval and rejection.
Most PRRA applications are decided solely on paper submissions without an in-person interview. The officer reviews your written documents and makes a determination based on the evidence provided and country condition reports.
In rare cases where credibility is a central issue or when the officer requires clarification on specific points, you may be called for an oral hearing. These interviews are formal proceedings where you’ll be asked to elaborate on your claims and answer questions about your circumstances.
Because most decisions are made on paper alone, your written submission must be comprehensive and persuasive. A weak or incomplete written application will likely be rejected without any opportunity to explain your case in person.
📌 Having professional representation is particularly important for PRRA applications because you typically only get one chance. If your first PRRA application is rejected, your removal from Canada may proceed quickly, leaving little time for judicial review or other remedies.
Our specialized immigration lawyers bring critical expertise to PRRA applications, dramatically improving your chances of success in this high-stakes process.
We conduct thorough risk assessments based on current country conditions and your specific circumstances, identifying the strongest arguments for protection. Our team has extensive experience with the specific legal tests that PRRA officers apply when evaluating risk claims.
Beyond legal analysis, we help gather and organize compelling evidence that meets IRCC’s strict requirements. We prepare detailed written submissions that clearly articulate your risk factors in relation to Canadian and international law.
A refugee claimant from a previously stable country had their claim rejected because conditions were deemed safe at the time of their hearing. However, six months later, a coup destabilized the region, and members of their ethnic group began facing targeted violence. This constitutes new evidence that could support a PRRA application, despite the recent refugee claim rejection.
An individual who overstayed their temporary authorization discovered that their name had been placed on a government watchlist in their home country due to political posts they made on social media while in Canada. Having never previously applied for refugee status, they would need to demonstrate this new personal risk through a PRRA application before the CBSA could deport them.
A family whose refugee claim was rejected included a child who developed a serious medical condition while in Canada. If returned to their home country, the child would face cruel treatment through lack of available medical care, potentially constituting a risk to life. This new medical evidence could support a PRRA claim even if their refugee application was previously denied.
Facing removal from Canada is frightening, but you don’t have to manage this complex process alone. Our experienced immigration lawyers understand the urgency of your situation and will help you prepare a comprehensive PRRA application that gives you the best chance of success.
With strict deadlines and high stakes, having professional representation can make all the difference in your case. Whether you’ve recently received a PRRA notification or are wondering about your options, we’re here to help.
Contact us online or call at (416) 988-8853 to discuss your PRRA application and protect your right to remain in Canada.
Missing your PRRA submission deadline typically means forfeiting your right to this assessment before removal. The CBSA may proceed with deportation immediately. In exceptional circumstances, you might request a deadline extension or file an emergency stay of removal with the Federal Court of Canada, but these remedies are discretionary and rarely granted.
Yes, you can submit new evidence to your PRRA application until a decision is made, though it’s best to include all documentation with your initial submission. If significant new evidence emerges, submit it immediately with an explanation of its relevance and why it wasn’t included originally. The officer has discretion to consider or reject late evidence.
Your country conditions are more likely to support a PRRA approval if there’s documented evidence of persecution, torture, or cruel treatment targeting people with your specific characteristics (ethnicity, religion, political opinion, sexual orientation). General violence or poor conditions affecting everyone in your home country typically don’t meet the threshold for PRRA protection.
Yes, once your PRRA application is submitted, you generally receive an automatic temporary stay of removal until a decision is rendered. If your PRRA is rejected, this stay is lifted, though you may apply to the Federal Court for judicial review with a request for an additional stay while your case is reviewed by the court.
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