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How to apply

If you’re eligible, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will give you an application form and instruction guide. You’ll be able to apply for a Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) before we remove you from Canada.

We won’t remove you from Canada until:

  1. Start your application

    Answer all the questions in the application form. If you need help completing your application, use the application guide.

    If you have had a refugee claim or a previous PRRA application rejected, you may only provide new evidence which has arisen after the most recent rejection.

    New evidence is evidence that became known after the rejection, that you couldn’t access, or that you could not reasonably have been expected to have presented in time for that previous decision.

    It is important that you clearly identify and explain new evidence in any documents you submit (for example, by highlighting certain parts of a magazine article).

    You must complete the form and submit your application in:

    • 15 days, if you get the form and the guide in person
    • 22 days, if you get the form and the guide in the mail

    We must receive your complete application before your application deadline, or you will be removed from Canada.

If you’re getting help with your application from someone else

You can ask someone to help you with your immigration application.

There are special requirements depending on what kind of help you’re getting:

If you’re using a paid immigration representative

Paid immigration representatives need to be authorized (opens in a new tab).

If you want to use a paid representative, you must

A paid representative can fill out forms and communicate with us for you through their own Canada Post Connect account. They can also

  • help you prepare the documents you need to submit
  • answer questions about the forms

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

You don’t need to hire a representative. Using one will not draw special attention to your application and doesn’t mean we’ll approve it.

If you’re using an unpaid representative

Unpaid representatives don’t need to be authorized or certified. They can be

  • family members
  • friends
  • anyone else who doesn’t charge you a fee

If you want to use an unpaid representative, you must

An unpaid representative may give the same services as paid representatives, but they do it for free.

After you read the declaration, you must be the one to type your name. This is the legal requirement for your application to be considered “signed” according to Canada’s immigration law.

If you’re getting help from someone who isn’t a representative

You don’t need to tell us that you’re getting help from someone as long as they don’t

  • advise you on which program to apply for
  • complete or update your application as you
  • act as you when dealing with us

They can help you

  • use our website to find information
  • access a computer, scanner or printer
  • navigate our portals and accounts
  • view and open electronic forms
  • download/upload documents
  • get your documents translated

  1. Get your form and documents ready

    Make sure you include the form and all documents you need.

    All of your family members in Canada who are 18 years of age or older and who are also applying for a PRRA must complete their own application.

    Form you must fill out

    • Application for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (IMM 5508), which will be given to you by a CBSA officer.

    Documents you must include

    • photocopies of all identity and relationship documents
    • a translation for every identity and relationship document that is in a language other than English or French.

    Documents submitted in a language other than English or French without a translation will not be considered.

Get your documents translated if they’re not in English or French

Each supporting document that isn’t in English or French must have 4 parts:

  1. a copy of the original document
  2. a certified copy of the original
    1. This means it’s been signed or stamped by the translator.
  3. a translation of the original
  4. an affidavit stating that the translation is true and accurate
    1. You don’t need an affidavit if your translator is certified.
Who can translate documents?
    • A translator certified by a professional association: Option 1 of 2
      • Their certification must be confirmed by a seal or stamp that shows the translator’s membership number.
    • A person who is fluent in both languages (English or French and the language of the document): Option 2 of 2
      • These translators need to sign an affidavit in front of an authorized person swearing their translation is true and accurate.
Who can’t translate documents?
  • Your family members
  • Your immigration representative or consultant

Documents you should also include

  • Written submissions (letter) to explain the risks or danger you would face if you were removed to your country of nationality or former habitual residence. It is important that you clearly answer the following questions in your letter:
    1. Why would I be at risk or in danger if I was returned to my country of nationality or habitual residence?
    2. What kind of risks or danger would I face and why?
    3. How do these risks or danger concern me directly and personally?
    4. Could I escape these risks or danger by moving to another city or region of my country?
    5. How does my situation compare with the situation of the rest of the population in my country of nationality or habitual residence?
  • Additional documents or evidence to demonstrate those risks or danger, including:
    • magazine or newspaper articles describing the situation in your country
    • legal documents
    • police documents
    • medical documents
    • personal documents
    • written testimonies
    • personal letters

Keep your application and submissions organized which will help the officer to review and find the key information required to make a decision. One way to do this is to use clear headings for each section of the application, numbering them, as appropriate.

If you want us to release information from your application to someone else

If you want us to give information from your application to someone else (not a representative)

  1. Download the Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475) form.
  2. Complete and sign it (digitally or by hand).
  3. Get the person who needs your information to sign it too.
  4. Include it with your application.

  1. Submit your application

    There are two ways to submit your application. You can submit online or by mail.

    You’re responsible for keeping your information up to date. If something changes after you submit that may affect your application, you must tell us about it either online through your Connect account or by mail.

    Apply online

    How to submit and manage your application online

    We use Canada Post’s Connect service to manage your online application. This service is free and allows for electronic file transfers that are secure, private, and confidential.

    You can use Connect to:

    • send us your application and supporting documents
    • get information about your PRRA hearing if you need one
    • send additional information when we ask for it
    • update your application and personal information if your circumstances change

    Sign up for Canada Post Connect to submit your application

    After you register, we only communicate with you about your PRRA application using your Connect account.

    When submitting your application online, we consider it received at the time that it’s recorded in Connect.

    You can get more information about using Connect in the application guide.

    Before you submit your application, make sure you:

    •  answer all questions
    •  sign and upload your form
    •  upload all your supporting documents
    Mail your application

    How to mail your application to us

    You can mail your application to us at:

    IRCC ‒ Humanitarian Migration ‒ Vancouver
    #300 - 800 Burrard Street
    Vancouver BC V6Z 0B6

    Before you mail your complete application, make sure that you:

    •  get the post office to confirm you have the correct postage
    •  have clearly written your full name and address in the top left corner of the envelope.
    •  answer all questions
    •  sign and include your form
    •  include all your supporting documents

    If you want to start managing your application online, even if you submitted it by mail you can ask to start using Canada Post Connect to manage your application. Do not re-send your application via Canada Post Connect if you have already sent it by mail.

    Tell us if you don’t want to apply

    If you do not wish to submit a PRRA application and you want to leave Canada voluntarily:

    1. Complete Section G (‘Statement of No Intention’) of the Application for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (IMM 5508) form.
    2. Send it to the address indicated in the Notification Regarding a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment.
    3. Report to the Canada Border Services Agency office that gave you the application kit.

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