Chairperson's instructions

These Instructions provide direction to people employed by the IRB. The instructions tell employees what to do or what not to do in certain situations.

Instructions focus on specific areas, such as file management, disclosing information, and appropriate communication between decision-makers and other IRB employees.​

A​pplicable to all refugee and immigration matters

​Instructions Governing Solicitor-Client Privilege and the Confidentiality of Legal Advice at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada
These Instructions deal with the issue of "solicitor-client privilege" and describe the IRB's approach to maintaining the confidentiality of the legal advice that it receives from its Legal Services.
(July 2010 | Updated ​September 2021​)

Refugee claims

Instructions governing the streaming of less complex claims at the Refugee Protection Division
These Instructions set out how the Refugee Protection Division of the IRB, relying on its knowledge of country conditions and claim types as well as its experience in deciding claims in this manner, will determine which claims are suitable for a short hearing and which can be decided by file review.
(January 2019)

Instructions for Gathering and Disclosing Information for Refugee Protection Division Proceedings
These Instructions describe how the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the IRB will gather and disclose information for its proceedings.
(August 2008 | Amended in December 2012)

Instructions Governing the Management of Refugee Protection Claims Awaiting Front end Security Screening
These Instructions govern the processing of claims before the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) with respect to front-end security screening.
(October 2017 | Amended February 2006;​ December 2012)

Instructions Governing Communication in the Absence of Parties Between Members of the Refugee Protection Division and Refugee Protection Officers and Between Members of the Refugee Protection Division and Other Employees of the Board
These Instructions govern all communication that takes place in the absence of parties between Members of the Refugee Protection Division ("Members") and Refugee Protection Officers ("RPOs") relating to cases before the Refugee Protection Division that have not been concluded.
(June 2004)

Refugee appeals

Instructions for Gathering and Disclosing Information for Refugee Appeal Division Proceedings
These Instructions describe how the Refugee Appeal Division of the IRB will gather and disclose information for its proceedings.
(May 2016)