PRRA Exemption for Asylum Seekers from Israel and Palestine
Canada waives the 12-month Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) waiting period for recently refused asylum seekers from Israel and Palestine.
The Government of Canada has recently implemented an exceptional measure to provide a new assessment pathway for refused asylum seekers from specific crisis-affected regions. As of September 29, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially waived the standard waiting period to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). This decision is specifically aimed at nationals and former habitual residents of Israel and Palestine. As part of its humanitarian commitments, Canada recognizes that on-the-ground conditions can evolve rapidly, thereby justifying a reassessment of the risks these individuals might face if removed to their country of origin or habitual residence.
What Changes
Under normal circumstances, the Canadian immigration system imposes a strict waiting period. When an individual receives a negative decision on their refugee claim, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) bars them from applying for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) for a period of 12 months. This statutory bar is generally intended to prevent the duplication of proceedings when country conditions have not significantly changed.
Through this new temporary exemption, IRCC is waiving this mandatory waiting period for eligible individuals. The measure allows applicants to have their case re-evaluated in light of recent developments on the ground. The purpose of a PRRA is to determine whether a person is at risk of persecution, torture, a threat to their life, or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment if removed from Canada. By lifting this time barrier, Canada ensures that removal decisions take into account current realities and immediate potential dangers.
Who Is Affected
To qualify for this exemption from the 12-month bar, several strict criteria must be met. First, the measure exclusively targets nationals of Israel and Palestine, as well as stateless persons whose former habitual residence was in these territories.
Second, the exemption is defined by a specific timeframe regarding negative decisions. Applicants must have received a final negative decision rendered between September 28, 2025, and September 29, 2026, inclusive. This unfavorable decision can stem from three distinct authorities:
- A rejected asylum claim by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), whether from the Refugee Protection Division or the Refugee Appeal Division.
- A previous negative PRRA decision rendered by an IRCC officer.
- A rejection or negative judicial review decision related to these matters by the Federal Court of Canada.
Finally, to initiate the process, the individual must currently be physically present in Canada and be subject to an enforceable removal order.
Key Dates and Figures
It is important to fully understand the temporal and financial parameters of this measure. Here is a summary of the essential elements:
| Element | Standard Rule | New Exemption |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting period before PRRA | 12 months after a refusal | No waiting period (immediate) |
| Affected decision period | Not applicable | September 28, 2025, to September 29, 2026 |
| Effective date | Not applicable | September 29, 2026 |
| Government processing fees | $0 (if initiated by CBSA) | $0 |
As indicated in the table, no government processing fees are required to submit a PRRA application when it is triggered as part of an enforceable removal order by the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).
What to Do
Eligible individuals do not have to proactively initiate the PRRA application on their own. The procedure requires the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) to formally contact and notify individuals who are subject to an enforceable removal order. The CBSA will provide them with a PRRA application kit and inform them of their right to proceed with this assessment.
Upon receiving this notification, strict deadlines apply. The applicant generally has 15 days to officially signify their intent to apply, followed by an additional 15 days to submit their written observations and evidence. The proper filing of the application results in an automatic stay of removal: the removal order is suspended until a final decision is made on the PRRA.
It is the applicant's responsibility to provide new evidence. This evidence must demonstrate current risks and must have arisen after the initial rejection, or not have been reasonably accessible at the time. Furthermore, the applicant must notify IRCC without delay of any changes in their personal situation or contact information. It is essential to remember that eligibility to apply does not guarantee approval; each case is evaluated individually on its merits by an IRCC officer.
Exceptions and Restrictions
This policy has significant limitations. Applicants who receive a negative decision after September 29, 2026, do not benefit from this waiver. They remain subject to the standard 12-month bar. IRCC's rationale is that for these recent decisions, current country conditions have already been factored into the analysis of their case by decision-makers.
Moreover, individuals who were refused before September 28, 2025, are no longer affected by the 12-month bar, as it has already expired. They may therefore apply for a PRRA under the general rules, provided they are invited to do so by the CBSA.
Finally, severe restrictions apply to individuals who are inadmissible on serious grounds. Those involved in serious criminality, organized crime, human or international rights violations, or who pose a security risk (under section 112(3) of the IRPA), as well as persons excluded under Article 1F of the Geneva Convention, are only eligible for a restricted PRRA. In such scenarios, a positive decision does not grant them protected person status or direct access to permanent residence; it merely temporarily stays their removal to the country where they face mistreatment.