Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) Applications

This is essentially the last step prior to removal from Canada. According to the (unofficial) statistics, only approximately 3% of PRRA applications are approved, while 97% are refused. In reality then, this is a procedural step which simply delays the inevitable, namely, the issuance of removal date.

Generally speaking, the purpose of the PRRA application is to determine whether, upon removal to your home country, you will be exposed to risk of torture, or risk of cruel and unusual treatment or punishment, including the possibility of death. However, PRRA application is rather narrow in its scope. It is not an opportunity to re-argue your refugee claim. Rather, the Officer examines only new evidence which arouse after the conclusion of your refugee hearing. You do not necessarily have to show new risks, however, if such arose, you should definitely highlight them in detail. Generally speaking however, previously identified risks are sufficient as long as you have new evidence corroborating these risks. If this evidence pre-dates your refugee decision, you must also explain why you did not file this evidence earlier on.

Overall, if your refugee claim was refused because the Board did not believe your story, unless you have new persuasive evidence corroborating your story, there is little point in filing a PRRA (besides, that is, buying yourself some time). If, on the other hand, your refugee claim was refused because the Board believed that you would be able to access effective state protection at home, and the political situation in your country has significantly deteriorated since your refugee hearing, theoretically you stand some chance of success, albeit it is still rather low.