Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) applications and coverage

10-hour certificates are available to lawyers to prepare and submit PRRA applications, as well as the following:

• An extra six hours of preparation plus hearing attendance time for PRRA applications that proceed to a hearing

  Upload the Notice to Appear via Legal Aid Online in advance of the hearing to receive this certificate amendment.

• An extra six hours in support of risk balancing under IRPA section 115(2)

  For PRRA applicants ineligible to receive refugee protection because they fall under s.112(3) of the IRPA, an additional six‑hour authorization is available to provide evidence and submissions in support of risk balancing under s.115(2) of the IRPA.

  Upload a copy of the IRCC letter requesting risk balancing submissions via Legal Aid Online to receive this certificate amendment.

Instructions for ineligible inland refugee claimants who want to make a PRRA application

To qualify to file a PRRA application, clients in Canada with claims ineligible to be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, must first make a refugee claim. To do this, they must complete a Basis of Claim (BoC) and accompanying immigration forms. If found ineligible, the client will be served at a later date with a PRRA.

Lawyers can use a seven‑hour BoC preparation certificate to prepare the required BoC and immigration forms.

Process when applying for a PRRA certificate

1. Clients must call LAO’s Client Service Centre to apply for a PRRA certificate, and have already been served with a PRRA application to be eligible for certificate coverage. Clients wanting to submit a second or subsequent PRRA are excepted from the requirement to have already been served with a PRRA application.

2. LAO will request a brief summary of the risk they face in their country from clients ineligible for refugee claims and served with a PRRA application.

3. Refused refugee claimants served with a PRRA application should provide LAO with a copy of all Refugee Protection Division, Refugee Appeal Division or Federal Court decision documentation, as well as their Basis of Claim form, if not already on file with LAO. An explanation of any new risks or new evidence must also be provided.

4. An LAO immigration specialist will review the application and issue a certificate, when there is sufficient legal merit.