Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Established in 1989, the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (commonly referred to as Immigration and Refugee Board or simply the IRB), is an independent administrative tribunal that is responsible for making well-rounded and fair decisions on immigration and refugee matters.

Matters are governed under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (Act). In addition, there is the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, and each division has its own rules: Immigration Division Rules, Immigration Appeals Division Rules and Refugee Protection Division Rules.

The IRB currently consists of four different divisions: Immigration Division, Immigration Appeals Division, Refugee Protection Division, and the Refugee Appeals Division.

The Immigration Division (ID) consists of two main functions: to conduct admissibility hearings and detention reviews.

If Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) believes an individual has not followed or contravens the Act, they will ask the IRB to conduct an admissibility hearing, which will determine if the individual remain or enter Canada.

If an individual is detained or held for immigration purposes, the Immigration Division will conduct detention reviews. Detention reviews are done within certain time frames, set forth by the Act. A Member of the Immigration Division will determine if an individual shall be released from detention; releases can also be done by CBSA.

The Immigration Appeals Division (IAD) hears appeals of immigration matters. These immigration matters are related to: sponsorships, removal orders, residency obligations or appeals made by (on behalf) of the Minister.

These Refugee Protection Division (RPD) decisions are determined for individuals residing in Canada. If the individual is residing outside of Canada, Citizenship and Immigration Canada will make the decision.

The Refugee Appeals Division (RAD) hears appeals of refugee matters.

The IRB will grant protection to an individual who is a convention refugee or a person in need of protection.

A convention refugee is an individual that has a well-founded fear of persecution based on:

A claim for refugee protection can be made inland (CIC or CBSA office) or at a Port of Entry (Airport, border crossing).

A claim is not eligible if an individual has/is:

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