What is PRRA?
The Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) is a process used to evaluate whether an individual faces personal risk if returned to their home country. It assesses whether the person would be at risk of harm due to factors such as political opinion, religion, race, nationality, or membership in a specific social group, similar to a refugee claim. The PRRA also considers risks of cruel and unusual treatment or torture.

Who Can Apply?
The PRRA is available to individuals who are facing deportation from Canada and believe they will face significant personal risk if returned to their home country. It can be proactively applied for or issued by an immigration officer to those facing removal. Individuals who have previously made a refugee claim and had it rejected cannot apply for a PRRA until at least one year has passed since their claim was finally dismissed.

When to Apply?
The PRRA can be applied for proactively or is provided directly to individuals facing removal. Once received from an immigration officer, the applicant has 15 days to complete and file the necessary forms and 30 days to submit supporting documents and legal arguments. The application is processed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), and decisions typically take several months. If denied, the applicant may appeal to the Federal Court within 15 days.