HEARINGS AND APPEALS BEFORE THE IMMIGRATION REFUGEE BOARD OF CANADA
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is Canada’s largest independent administrative tribunal, responsible for making well-rounded and fair decisions on immigration and refugee matters, governed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). It consists of four different divisions:
- Immigration Division (ID)
- Immigration Appeals Division (IAD)
- Refugee Protection Division (RPD)
- Refugee Appeals Division (RAD)
Each division of the IRB is responsible for making decisions on different immigration or refugee matters. Furthermore, each set of divisional rules establishes the practices and required procedures for that particular division. The process of the IRB is flexible and may take many forms as long as it ensures well-reasoned, efficient and fair decisions. The IRB tribunal process is based on Canadian law, Canada’s international obligations and Canada’s humanitarian traditions.
If a person concerned is not satisfied with the outcome of their hearing before any level of the IRB they may be able to appeal to the appeal division of the tribunal hearing the matter, or, in some cases to the Federal Court of Canada for Judicial Review.