Policies

​​​​​​​​​Policies are formal statements that explain the purpose and the mechanics of operational initiatives at the Board. A policy sets​ out specific responsibilities for action by decision-makers and personnel supporting the adjudicative process. Policies are flexible instruments, and the degree to which they are mandatory varies with the content of the policy. They often contain elements that are mandatory, but may also provide general guidance or define areas in which the exercise of discretion is required.

On this page

Applicable to the entire Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

Gender-based Analysis Plus policy statement

This policy statement affirms the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada’s continued commitment to GBA Plus.​
March 2022​

Applicable to all refugee and immigration matters

Policy on the Use of Chairperson's Guidelines and Jurisprudential Guides

This policy applies to the exercise of the Chairperson's authority to issue written guidelines and to identify decisions as jurisprudential guides for members of the Immigration and Refugee Board.
July ​2022

Policy on the Use of Social Media by Authorized Individuals at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada

This policy serves to provide guidance to authorized individuals on the acceptable use of social media at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
March 2015 | Updated May 2016

Policy on Disclosing Information Regarding the Conduct of Authorized Representatives to Regulatory Bodies

This policy sets out a predictable and transparent approach for IRB personnel to follow when disclosing information about the conduct of authorized representatives to their regulatory bodies.
September 2015

Reasons Review Policy

The purpose of the Reasons Review Policy is to provide for transparency and consistency with respect to the policy and procedures regarding reasons review at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
August 1997 | Updated December 2014 and September 2021​

Policy for Handling IRB Complaints Regarding Unauthorized, Paid Representatives

The purpose of this policy is to set out a uniform approach for handling complaints about unauthorized representatives (or counsel) who may, for a fee, be representing, advising or consulting with a person who is the subject of an Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada proceeding.
September 2011

Policy on Court-Ordered Redeterminations

This policy is re-issued with consequential amendments to bring it in line with the terminology of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and Board Rules. The policy standardizes the selection of decision makers when the Federal Court refers a matter back to the IRB for a rehearing and requires priority review of court ordered rehearings by Legal Services.
June 2003 | Updated December 2013

Policy on Higher Court Interventions

This policy governs the exercise of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada's option to seek leave to intervene in a proceeding before a Higher Court.
March 2003​

Security Screening Measures Policy at Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada Controlled Premises

This policy serves to provide a framework for security screening measures at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
April 2015 | Updated December 2017

Policy Statement on Official Languages and the Principle of the Substantive Equality of English and French

This policy statement brings together in a single instrument information previously issued by the IRB with respect to the use of official languages in the proceedings of its four divisions.
November 2015

Applicable to all refugee matters

Policy governing communication between the Refugee Protection and Refugee Appeal Divisions

The objective of this policy is to increase transparency regarding collaboration and the exchange of information between the Refugee Protection Division (RPD​) and Refugee Appeal Division (RAD​) at the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).​
September, 2020​

Policy on National Documentation Packages in Refugee Determination Proceedings

The objective of this policy is to ensure that National Documentation Packages are used as the standard source of country of origin information evidence by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
June 5, 2019 | Policy note

Refugee claims

Designation of Three-Member Panels - RPD Approach

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, hearings by single member panels of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) are the norm. However, the RPD also has the authority to have a claim, or an application to vacate or cease refugee protection, heard by three members.
September 2015

Policy on Redeterminations Ordered by the Refugee Appeal Division

This policy is being introduced as a result of the coming into force of the refugee reform provisions of the Protecting Canada’s Immigration System Act. The policy standardizes the selection of decision-makers when the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) refers a matter back to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) for a redetermination and, it provides a standardized process for determining the content of a RAD-ordered redetermination case file.
September 2014   

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Policy on the Treatment of Unsolicited Information in the Refugee Protection Division

The policy governs the treatment and use of unsolicited information that the IRB receives in respect of proceedings in the Refugee Protection Division.
October 1998 | Updated June 2003 and February 2015

Refugee appeals

Designation of Three-Member Panels - Refugee Appeal Division

Under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), proceedings are normally conducted by a single member of the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD). However, the Chairperson has the authority to constitute a panel composed of three members.
April 2013

Immigration appeal

Policy on Communication for Immigration Appeal Division Early Resolution Officers

The purpose of this policy is to set out an approach governing communication in the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) when such communication occurs between an Early Resolution Officer (ERO) and the parties or between an ERO and a member in the absence of the parties concerning appeals before the IAD.
June 2013 | Updated July 2017