Changes to the pre-removal risk assessment for the Democratic Republic of Congo

Ottawa, July 4, 2025—Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is deeply concerned about the current situation in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Since January of this year, M23 rebels supported by Rwandan forces have seized major cities and committed grave human rights abuses, including the execution of children, forced recruitment of minors, systematic sexual violence against women and girls, and persecution of Hutu and other non-Tutsi ethnic groups.

DRC nationals who received a negative final decision on their asylum (refugee) claim from the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada or the Federal Court between July 5, 2024, and July 4, 2025, may now be eligible to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). If someone’s PRRA was refused by IRCC during that time, they may also now be eligible to apply again. The Canada Border Services Agency will advise eligible people from the DRC that they can apply for a PRRA if they are currently subject to an enforceable removal order.

The PRRA process prevents people from being sent back to a country where they face risks like persecution, torture or other harm. In normal circumstances, people must wait 12 months after a negative decision on their asylum claim before they can apply for a PRRA. However, IRCC can waive this waiting period if there is a sudden and significant change in conditions in a claimant’s country of origin.

People are responsible for keeping their PRRA application up to date and informing IRCC of any changes to their application. Being eligible to apply for a PRRA does not guarantee that someone will be able to stay in Canada. IRCC officers will continue to decide on each case individually, based on the information provided.

People from the DRC who receive a final negative decision after July 4, 2025, are not eligible to apply for a PRRA for 12 months. This is because any recent changes in the situation in the DRC would have already been considered during their asylum claim or PRRA process.