Deadline alert (PRRA): IRCC says you must submit your PRRA application within 15 days if you got the PRRA kit in person, or 22 days if you got it by mail. IRCC must receive what your PRRA notice requires by the deadline(s). Many PRRA notices set 2 deadlines: (1) the PRRA form first, then (2) written submissions and supporting documents. Community legal resources explain the evidence deadline is often 15 days after you submit the form, and no later than 30 days after you received the kit, but always follow the exact dates on your Notification Regarding a PRRA.

(Always rely on the deadline(s) written on your notice.)

Answer in 30 seconds

A Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is a last‑stage protection process used before Canada removes someone. CBSA checks PRRA eligibility during the removal process. You can only apply if a CBSA officer tells you you’re eligible and gives you the PRRA forms. Deadlines are strict: you generally submit the IMM 5508 form within 15 days (in person) / 22 days (by mail), and your PRRA notice may set a later deadline for written submissions and evidence (often up to 30 days from when you received the kit). PRRA is not an appeal. If you had a prior refusal, new evidence matters and must be clearly identified and explained. Canada generally won’t remove you until you decline, miss the deadline, withdraw/abandon, or you’re refused. Deadlines are strict, get help early.

This page does NOT cover (so we don’t confuse your next step)

PRRA rules overlap with other pathways, but the details matter. For these topics, use the dedicated LMRT pages:

1. Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) rules and exceptions (U.S. land border issues)
2. “Asylum in Canada from the USA” step‑by‑step
3. “Danger opinion” / serious criminality strategy and litigation planning
4. Full evidence course (templates, checklists, affidavit strategy)

(If you’re not sure which page applies to you, jump to the scenario router below.)

PRRA in one minute

A Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is a process where IRCC assesses whether removing you from Canada would expose you to serious harm. PRRA is designed to prevent removal to a place where you would face risks such as:

1. risk of persecution
2. danger of torture
3. risk to life
4. risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment

PRRA usually happens late in the process, when removal is being enforced. It is different from a refugee claim and is not a general “appeal.” In many cases, what you can submit is limited by the “new evidence” rule.

Who can apply (and who can’t)

You can only apply if CBSA invites you

You do not choose PRRA timing on your own. When CBSA starts the removal process, an officer checks whether you are eligible for PRRA. You can only apply if a CBSA officer tells you you’re eligible and provides the PRRA application kit.

Common situations where you can’t apply

You generally can’t apply for PRRA if you:

1. had a refugee claim that was found ineligible because of the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA)
2. were found to be a Convention refugee in another country you can return to
3. are already a protected person in Canada
4. are subject to extradition

Waiting period (12 months) and exemptions

In many cases, there is a 12‑month waiting period after your most recent negative decision before you can apply for PRRA. The 12‑month wait can apply if:

1. the IRB refused your refugee claim
2. IRCC refused a previous PRRA
3. you withdrew or abandoned your refugee claim or PRRA, or
4. the Federal Court refused your attempt to have the decision reviewed

Exemptions exist (country‑condition windows)

You may be eligible to apply before 12 months if conditions in your country change suddenly and your country is listed as exempt for a specific date range.

1. Official list (changes over time): IRCC – PRRA exemptions to the 12‑month wait period
2. LMRT explainer: PRRA 12‑month bar exemptions (country‑condition changes) (internal link)

Important: Do not rely on old country lists. The exemption list and date ranges change.

Step‑by‑step: when CBSA gives you PRRA forms

When CBSA gives you the PRRA kit, treat it as a removal‑stage emergency.

1) Read your “Notification Regarding a PRRA”

Your notice is the document that sets the submission deadline and where to submit.

2) Confirm your submission deadline (15 days or 22 days)

You must complete the form and submit your application within:

1. 15 days if you got the PRRA form and guide in person
2. 22 days if you got the PRRA form and guide by mail

IRCC must receive your complete application before your deadline.

Also check if your notice sets a separate deadline for written submissions/evidence. Many PRRA Notifications do. A common timeline is: submit the IMM 5508 form by the Day 15/22 deadline, then submit written submissions/evidence within 15 days after that, no later than 30 days after you received the kit. Your Notification’s dates control.

3) Decide: apply, or formally decline

If you do not want to apply, you generally must complete the “statement of no intention” section in the PRRA form and follow the instructions on your PRRA notification. This matters because declining can allow CBSA to continue enforcing removal.

4) Prepare a “minimum viable” PRRA package

Your goal is to submit a complete, readable, well‑organized package before the deadline.

Minimum components usually include:

1. Completed PRRA form (IMM 5508) for each eligible adult family member applying
2. Your written statement explaining the risk if you are removed
3. Evidence documents (and translations if needed)
4. A clear index/table of contents and labels

5) What happens to removal while PRRA is pending?

If this is your first PRRA and you submit within the deadline, you generally benefit from a stay of your removal order while IRCC processes the PRRA.

If it is not your first PRRA, or you submit late, you may not benefit from an automatic stay.

Separately, IRCC states it won’t remove you until one of these happens:

1. you tell CBSA/IRCC you don’t want to apply
2. you miss the deadline
3. IRCC refuses your PRRA
4. you withdraw or abandon your PRRA

Because removal enforcement depends on your specific posture (first PRRA vs not first PRRA vs late filing), treat the “stay/removal” question as urgent and fact‑specific.

The “new evidence” rule (read this before you submit)

If you previously had a refugee claim or PRRA refused, you may be limited to new evidence that arose after the most recent refusal.

IRCC describes new evidence as evidence that:

1. became known after the refusal, or
2. you couldn’t access earlier, or
3. you could not reasonably have been expected to present earlier

How to present new evidence (micro‑checklist)

1. Label it as “New Evidence” in your index.
2. Explain why it is new (what date it arose / why it wasn’t available earlier).
3. Highlight the relevant part (don’t make the officer hunt for the key lines).
4. Connect it to risk: explain how it changes the risk assessment if you are removed.

LMRT guide: PRRA New Evidence Guide (what counts and how to present it) (internal link)

What happens after you apply

IRCC reviews your PRRA file and may decide it can be finalized on the paper record, or that a hearing is needed.

When a hearing can happen (high level)

IRCC may schedule a hearing, for example, if:

1. there is a key credibility issue that must be addressed, or
2. the only reason your claim couldn’t be referred to the IRB is because you made an asylum claim in a country with which Canada has an information‑sharing arrangement

PRRA hearings are generally held remotely.

Leaving Canada while waiting

If you leave Canada while waiting for a PRRA decision, IRCC can declare the PRRA abandoned, which results in rejection.

Can you work or get healthcare while you wait?

Work (first PRRA vs not first PRRA)

1. If this is your first PRRA application:
2. If you have a valid work permit, you can work until it expires or until a decision is made.
3. If you do not have a valid work permit, and you submit your PRRA on time, you may be able to apply for a work permit while waiting.
4. If you submit your PRRA late, you can’t work in Canada.
5. If this is not your first PRRA application:
6. You generally can’t work in Canada while waiting.

Healthcare (IFHP – high level)

You may be eligible for limited, temporary healthcare coverage through the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) in certain PRRA‑related situations, for example, if your refugee claim was found ineligible to be referred to the IRB and you were told you are eligible to apply for PRRA, or if you receive a positive PRRA decision and receive a stay of removal/protected person status.

If you miss the deadline, withdraw, or abandon

Because PRRA is tied to removal enforcement, these outcomes can move your file back toward removal quickly.

1. Miss the deadline: IRCC may treat you as not having applied. Removal can proceed.
2. Withdraw: the removal order can come back into force.
3. Abandon: your PRRA can be rejected and removal can proceed.

If you are close to a deadline (or missed it), go here:

1. Urgent PRRA / removal timeline page (internal link)

Which PRRA scenario fits you?

Use the scenario that matches your case so you don’t miss a rule that applies only to you:

1. PRRA after a refused refugee claim (internal link)
2. PRRA after a withdrawn/abandoned refugee claim (internal link)
3. PRRA when you never made a refugee claim (internal link)
4. U.S. asylum history / STCA‑related gate (internal link)
5. Serious criminality / security / danger (restricted PRRA issues) (internal link)
6. Urgent: imminent removal date (internal link)
7. Exceptions: sudden country change / 12‑month exemptions (internal link)
8. Families with children (planning and evidence) (internal link)

Do I need an immigration consultant RCIC‑IRB / immigration lawyer?

You can represent yourself in a PRRA, but PRRA is a removal‑stage process with:

1. strict deadlines,
2. rules about “new evidence,” and
3. eligibility bars (including STCA‑related ineligibility and other restrictions).

An experienced immigration consultant (RCIC‑IRB) or immigration lawyer can help you:

1. confirm what deadlines apply (and what “received by IRCC” means for your submission method),
2. organize and label evidence so it is easy to assess,
3. explain why evidence qualifies as “new,” and
4. avoid common mistakes that lead to missed deadlines or abandonment.

What a positive or negative decision can mean

If IRCC accepts your PRRA

In most cases, you become a protected person, and you can then apply for permanent residence.

In some cases even if IRCC finds you would be at risk, you may not receive protected person status (for example, certain serious criminality situations). You may still be allowed to stay in Canada until circumstances change and it is safe to return.

If IRCC refuses your PRRA

If the PRRA is refused, you must leave Canada. If you disagree, you can apply to the Federal Court for a review, but you generally must still leave unless the Court grants a stay of removal.

Note: IRCC indicates the CBSA will inform you in person of the PRRA decision.

Bring this to your consult (quick checklist)

1. Your PRRA Notification (photo/scan) and the deadline date(s) (form deadline + any evidence deadline)
2. How you received the kit (in person or by mail)
3. Any past decisions: refugee claim refusal / PRRA refusal / withdrawal/abandonment / Federal Court outcome
4. Any new events since the last decision (arrest warrant, threats, medical evidence, new targeting, new country reports)
5. Identity documents and family information (who is in Canada, ages, status)

Talk to LMRT Immigration

Loujin Khalil – Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC‑IRB, R522176)

LMRT Immigration
If you are facing removal, timing matters. We can help you:

1. do an urgent PRRA deadline review, and
2. build a PRRA evidence plan focused on what IRCC is allowed to consider.

FAQ

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