Immigration Announcement
Canada Simplifies PRRA Hearing Process, Virtual Consent Now Implied from April 2025
Canada is moving another step forward in digital modernization—this time with its immigration hearings. Beginning April 29, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will introduce a major update to how pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) hearings are conducted. The new policy simplifies the consent process for virtual participation, removing the need for applicants to provide written authorization for remote hearings.
This change not only saves time but also makes it easier for individuals going through a PRRA to prepare for their proceedings without extra paperwork. Remote virtual hearings will now be the default method. However, applicants will still have the freedom to request either an in-person session or attend a virtual hearing from an IRCC site.
What Is the PRRA Hearing and Why It Matters
The PRRA hearing process in Canada is a final opportunity for individuals facing removal to demonstrate that returning to their home country would expose them to serious risks. These risks may include threats to life, risk of torture, or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
This process is particularly important for refused refugee claimants or others under a removal order. Through the PRRA, they can present new evidence or argue that conditions in their home country have changed significantly. As the stakes are often high, the hearing process needs to be as efficient, accessible, and fair as possible.
What’s Changing with Virtual Hearings?
Under the previous policy, applicants were required to provide written consent to attend PRRA hearings remotely. This added step often caused delays, especially when applicants faced difficulty accessing legal support or managing documentation under stress. Starting April 29, 2025, IRCC will apply an implied consent policy for virtual participation.
Here’s what that means:
- All PRRA hearings will default to a remote format using virtual platforms.
- Applicants will no longer need to sign or submit any form to agree to remote hearings.
- If someone wishes to attend in person or use an IRCC facility for the virtual hearing, they can request it without going through the formal accommodation process.
This approach simplifies logistics for both applicants and IRCC officers and reflects the post-pandemic shift toward virtual government services.
In-Person vs. On-Site Virtual Hearings: What’s the Difference?
While remote hearings will be the standard, applicants are not locked into one format. They can still choose alternatives based on their situation and preferences.
In-person hearing:: Conducted face-to-face in a designated IRCC location with the decision-maker present.
On-site virtual hearing: Applicant travels to an IRCC facility and connects virtually with the decision-maker from a secure room. Previously, this was considered a special accommodation, but now it’s available as a standard option.
These choices give applicants flexibility, especially those who may have privacy concerns or unreliable internet connections at home.
Why This Policy Matters for Applicants
For individuals undergoing the PRRA hearing process in Canada, every step matters. This change may appear small but has meaningful benefits. Removing the extra consent requirement avoids unnecessary administrative delays. It also ensures that hearings proceed without hurdles that could affect the applicant’s ability to present their case effectively.
Moreover, allowing applicants to request on-site participation without needing to justify it as an accommodation improves fairness. It removes the stigma or extra scrutiny that might previously have come with making such a request.
This modernization is part of IRCC’s broader plan to digitize immigration procedures while maintaining the integrity and accessibility of its programs.
A Smarter, More Flexible PRRA Hearing Process in Canada
The streamlined PRRA hearing process in Canada is a welcome shift toward efficiency and fairness. By eliminating the need for written consent and making virtual participation the default, IRCC is reducing barriers for applicants at a critical stage of their immigration journey.
As immigration procedures continue to evolve, it is essential for applicants and immigration professionals to stay up to date on these changes. The move to implied consent for remote hearings reflects Canada’s ongoing focus on accessibility, modernization, and client service.
Whether you’re a legal representative, an immigration consultant, or someone personally going through the PRRA hearing process in Canada, this update is one to note. The April 29 policy change could help make the system faster, less stressful, and more responsive to the needs of those it serves.
