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What Is a PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment) and Who Qualifies?
Hello everyone,
I hope your week is going smoothly. I wanted to open an important discussion today because many people going through the refugee or removal process often hear the term PRRA but don’t fully understand what it means or whether they qualify for it.
So let’s break it down in simple, clear language.
What Exactly Is a PRRA?
A PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment) is a special protection process offered by the Canadian government to people who are facing removal (deportation) from Canada.
It’s basically Canada’s way of doing a final safety check before someone is sent back to their home country.
The purpose of a PRRA is to make sure the person will not face:
Who Qualifies for a PRRA?
Not everyone is eligible right away. In fact, Canada has rules about who can apply and when. You may qualify for a PRRA if:
Who is NOT eligible (at least for a certain period)?
If you previously made a refugee claim or applied for a PRRA before, you might have a waiting period:
However, in countries experiencing sudden conflict or crisis, Canada sometimes lifts the 12-month bar temporarily.
What Can You Include in a PRRA Application?
A strong PRRA package usually includes:
Does a PRRA stop removal?
Yes — temporarily.
If you submit your PRRA before the deadline on your letter, CBSA usually pauses your removal until a decision is made.
But if you miss the deadline, CBSA can proceed with removal.
Why Is PRRA Important?
For many people, PRRA is the last possible chance to stay in Canada because removal is already scheduled or imminent.
That’s why understanding it early can make a big difference.
Have You Experienced the PRRA Process?
If you've been through a PRRA before — whether accepted or refused — your experience could really help someone who is going through it right now.
Looking forward to reading your experiences and helping others together.
Disclaimer:
This forum threads are based on publicly available online sources. It is for information purposes only and does not replace legal advice. Every case is different, and actual steps may vary depending on your personal situation and the CBSA officer handling your file.
I hope your week is going smoothly. I wanted to open an important discussion today because many people going through the refugee or removal process often hear the term PRRA but don’t fully understand what it means or whether they qualify for it.
So let’s break it down in simple, clear language.
What Exactly Is a PRRA?
A PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment) is a special protection process offered by the Canadian government to people who are facing removal (deportation) from Canada.
It’s basically Canada’s way of doing a final safety check before someone is sent back to their home country.
The purpose of a PRRA is to make sure the person will not face:
- Risk to their life
- Torture
- Cruel or unusual treatment or punishment
- Persecution based on race, religion, nationality, gender, political opinion, etc.
Who Qualifies for a PRRA?
Not everyone is eligible right away. In fact, Canada has rules about who can apply and when. You may qualify for a PRRA if:
- CBSA has issued you a removal order, and
- You receive an official letter saying you are now eligible to apply for a PRRA.
Who is NOT eligible (at least for a certain period)?
If you previously made a refugee claim or applied for a PRRA before, you might have a waiting period:
- Refugee claim rejected by IRB: 12-month bar
- Refugee claim abandoned or withdrawn: 12-month bar
- Previous PRRA decision: 12-month bar
However, in countries experiencing sudden conflict or crisis, Canada sometimes lifts the 12-month bar temporarily.
What Can You Include in a PRRA Application?
A strong PRRA package usually includes:
- Evidence of new threats or danger
- Medical reports
- Police reports
- Country condition updates
- Humanitarian or hardship factors
- Proof of personal risk not covered before
Does a PRRA stop removal?
Yes — temporarily.
If you submit your PRRA before the deadline on your letter, CBSA usually pauses your removal until a decision is made.
But if you miss the deadline, CBSA can proceed with removal.
Why Is PRRA Important?
For many people, PRRA is the last possible chance to stay in Canada because removal is already scheduled or imminent.
That’s why understanding it early can make a big difference.
Have You Experienced the PRRA Process?
If you've been through a PRRA before — whether accepted or refused — your experience could really help someone who is going through it right now.
- How long did your PRRA take?
- What kind of evidence did you submit?
- Did CBSA pause your removal?
- What advice would you give others preparing their application?
Looking forward to reading your experiences and helping others together.
Disclaimer:
This forum threads are based on publicly available online sources. It is for information purposes only and does not replace legal advice. Every case is different, and actual steps may vary depending on your personal situation and the CBSA officer handling your file.