A pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) is a review conducted by IRCC to assess whether a person subject to removal from Canada would face risks if returned to their country of origin — specifically, persecution under the Refugee Convention, torture, risk to life, or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment. It is the last formal protection mechanism available before removal, and it is only accessible to persons who have been notified by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) that they are eligible to apply.

The PRRA is governed by sections 112 to 116 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). A positive PRRA determination results in protected person status, which opens a pathway to permanent residence. A negative determination means the person must leave Canada, with judicial review at the Federal Court as the remaining option.

• IRPA, ss 112–116 — the statutory framework for the PRRA: eligibility, scope of risk assessment, evidence rules, hearings, and outcomes
• IRPA, ss 96–97 — the definitions of Convention refugee and person in need of protection (the standards applied in the PRRA)
• IRCC: Pre-removal risk assessment — canada.ca/prra
• IRCC: PRRA eligibility — canada.ca/prra-eligibility
• IRCC: Guide 5523 — Applying for a PRRA — canada.ca/guide-5523

Who can apply

A PRRA is not available on demand. A person subject to removal can only apply for a PRRA if a CBSA officer notifies them that they are eligible. When CBSA initiates the removal process, an officer will assess whether the person is eligible for a PRRA and will provide the application form and instruction guide if eligible.

Certain persons are not eligible for a PRRA regardless of their circumstances — these include persons who are inadmissible on grounds of security, organized criminality, or human or international rights violations (IRPA s 112(3)). Persons protected under a safe third country agreement may also be ineligible.

The 12-month bar

In most cases, a person cannot apply for a PRRA until 12 months have elapsed after their last negative protection decision (whether from the RPD, the RAD, or a previous PRRA). This bar exists to prevent persons from using repeated PRRA applications to delay removal. The 12-month period runs from the last negative final decision — not from the original arrival in Canada.

Exceptions to the 12-month bar

The 12-month bar can be lifted in limited circumstances:

• Sudden and significant change in country conditions: If conditions in the applicant's country of origin deteriorate significantly after the last negative decision, IRCC may waive the 12-month bar. This is assessed on a case-by-case basis or through a declared country exemption.
• Country-specific exemptions: IRCC can declare that nationals of a specific country are exempt from the 12-month bar due to changed conditions. For example, Iranian nationals who received a negative final decision between December 20, 2024, and December 19, 2025, were granted an exemption. Country-specific exemptions are announced through IRCC operational bulletins.

Risks assessed

The PRRA officer assesses risks under two IRPA standards:

• IRPA s 96 — Convention refugee: Is the person a refugee within the meaning of the 1951 Refugee Convention — that is, facing persecution based on race, religion, nationality, membership in a particular social group, or political opinion?
• IRPA s 97 — Person in need of protection: Would the person be at risk of torture (under Article 1 of the Convention Against Torture), or at risk to their life or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, if returned?

Evidence rules

A critical feature of the PRRA is the restriction on evidence. Under IRPA s 113(a), applicants who have had a previous RPD hearing may only present new evidence — evidence that arose after the RPD rejection, or evidence that was not reasonably available at the time of the RPD hearing. Evidence that was available before the RPD hearing but was not submitted cannot be introduced at the PRRA stage. This restriction does not apply to persons who have not had a full RPD hearing.

How to apply

When notified of eligibility, the CBSA officer provides the PRRA application form and Guide 5523. The completed application, together with any supporting written submissions, is submitted to IRCC's Humanitarian Migration office — either online through Canada Post Connect or by mail, as directed. Time limits for filing the application are strict and are communicated in the notification package.

Hearings

PRRA decisions are typically made on a paper review basis without an in-person hearing. However, under IRPA s 113(b), a hearing may be held if the officer determines it is required — for example, where credibility of evidence is at issue. Hearings are not automatic and cannot be requested by the applicant as of right. Where a hearing is held, it may be conducted virtually.

Outcomes

• Positive PRRA: The person is recognised as a protected person under IRPA s 95. Protected person status allows the person to apply for permanent residence in Canada and provides protection against removal to the country of risk.
• Negative PRRA: The person must leave Canada. CBSA will proceed with removal. The person may apply to the Federal Court of Canada for judicial review of the PRRA decision — but this does not automatically stay the removal order. A stay of removal must be specifically sought from the Federal Court.

Bill C-12 (2026 changes)

The Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026, and introduced amendments affecting the asylum and PRRA system. For the current state of PRRA rules following these amendments, refer to the IRCC PRRA page and the current Guide 5523.

The PRRA is not an appeal of the RPD or RAD decision — it is a new assessment of risk at the time of removal. Changes in circumstances since the last decision (whether deteriorating country conditions or new personal risks) are the central focus. Persons seeking a PRRA should obtain legal advice as early as possible given the strict evidence rules and time limits involved.

An H&C (humanitarian and compassionate) application under IRPA s 25 can be submitted alongside or separately from a PRRA, but cannot be used to delay a removal order on its own. The H&C and PRRA assess different considerations — see the H&C application page for that pathway.