What is a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment or PRRA?
The PRRA is a paper application to the Canadian Government where you explain why you will be in danger if you have to leave Canada to return to your country.
Who can apply for a PRRA?
Who
People who have to leave Canada, or are being deported, can sometimes apply for a PRRA
How
You can only apply for a PRRA if the Canada Border Services Agencies (CBSA) calls you in and gives you a PRRA. This is not an application that anyone can just download from the government website and send it.
What should I do if CBSA calls me in and gives me a PRRA?
Can I be deported if I am waiting for a PRRA decision?
No! You cannot be deported if you sent in a PRRA application and you are waiting for a decision.
However, CBSA might try to deport you in the one-year waiting time before you are allowed to apply for a PRRA.
If CBSA calls you in for an interview about leaving Canada, you should get legal help.
What happens if my PRRA is accepted?
If your PRRA is accepted, you will become a Protected Person. This means that you can stay in Canada. It also means that you will be able to apply to be a Permanent Resident.
What happens if my PRRA is rejected?
If your PRRA is rejected, CBSA will tell you that you must leave Canada.
Can I appeal a negative PRRA decision?
Yes!
You have the right do a Judicial Review of your PRRA decision. This means that a judge from the Federal Court of Canada will look at the decision and see if they think there was a mistake.
What will happen?
If you are successful in your Judicial Review, it means that a new immigration officer will look at your PRRA application and make a decision. They might make a positive or a negative decision.