IRB Tribunal Representation
The IRB finalized a record 102,500 decisions in 2024–25, including 78,700 refugee claims, and the average wait from referral to a refugee decision has grown to about two years. Our RCIC-IRB licensed consultant represents clients before all four IRB divisions, helping them navigate refugee claims, admissibility hearings, detention reviews, and appeals with a strategic, evidence-based approach.
Program Overview
Everything you need to know about IRB Tribunal Representation
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) is the largest independent administrative tribunal in the country, responsible for deciding immigration and refugee matters. In 2024–25 it finalized 102,500 decisions across its four divisions, including 78,700 refugee claims at the Refugee Protection Division (up 42% from the year before), with actual spending of about $352.9 million (IRB Departmental Results Report 2024–25).
Our principal consultant holds the RCIC-IRB (Class L3) licence from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants. Since July 1, 2023, this licence class has been required for a licensed consultant to represent clients before the IRB, and it authorizes representation before all four divisions: the Refugee Protection Division (RPD), the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD), the Immigration Division (ID), and the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD).
The RPD accepted about 63% of the claims it decided in 2025–26, according to IRB figures, but every claim turns on its own facts, evidence and country conditions. Our approach combines thorough evidence gathering, detailed legal submissions, and careful hearing preparation to present each client's case clearly and completely before the tribunal.
Eligibility Requirements
Key requirements you need to meet
- Refugee claimants who have been referred to the RPD for a hearing
- Individuals facing admissibility hearings before the Immigration Division
- Persons detained by CBSA who require detention review representation
- Refugee claimants who received a negative RPD decision and can appeal to the RAD (some claimants are barred from the RAD)
- Sponsored persons or sponsors appealing a refusal to the IAD
- Permanent residents facing removal orders who wish to appeal
- People whose refugee claims are eligible to be referred to the IRB. Under Bill C-12 (law since March 26, 2026), claims made on or after June 3, 2025 are not referred if the person entered Canada after June 24, 2020 and claimed more than one year after entering, or crossed from the US between ports of entry and claimed more than 14 days later; these people may be able to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) instead
Our Process
How we guide you from start to finish
Case Evaluation
We conduct a thorough evaluation of your case, reviewing all evidence, identifying legal issues, and assessing the strength of your claim or defence. For refugee claims, we examine country conditions and your personal circumstances in detail.
Evidence & Document Preparation
We help you gather and organize all supporting evidence, including country condition documentation, identity documents, medical or psychological reports, and witness statements. For BOC forms, we ensure your narrative is detailed, consistent, and compelling.
Hearing Preparation & Submissions
We prepare detailed legal submissions, conduct mock hearing sessions, and ensure you are fully prepared for questioning by the tribunal member and, if the Minister intervenes, the Minister's counsel.
Tribunal Representation & Follow-Up
We represent you at the hearing, presenting your case, responding to questions, and making legal arguments on your behalf. If the decision is negative, we advise on next steps, including RAD appeal deadlines and, where judicial review at the Federal Court is needed, referral to an immigration lawyer (consultants cannot appear in Federal Court).
Frequently Asked Questions
Common questions about IRB Tribunal Representation
A standard RCIC can handle most immigration applications but cannot represent clients before the IRB. An RCIC-IRB holds the Class L3 licence from the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants, which authorizes representation at IRB hearings, including refugee claims, admissibility hearings, detention reviews, and immigration appeals.
The RPD accepted about 63% of the claims it decided in 2025–26, according to IRB figures. Acceptance rates vary widely by country of origin and the facts of each claim.
A typical RPD hearing lasts between 2 and 4 hours, though complex cases may be scheduled for a full day or multiple days. Some decisions are given orally at the end of the hearing; others are sent later in writing. The wait before the hearing is much longer: the IRB reported an average of about 24 months from referral to decision as of December 31, 2025.
If the RPD refuses your claim, you may be able to appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD). You must file your notice of appeal within 15 calendar days after you receive the RPD's written reasons, and perfect the appeal (file your appellant's record) within 45 days after receiving them; the RAD can extend these time limits in some cases. Some claimants cannot appeal to the RAD, for example when the claim was found to have no credible basis or to be manifestly unfounded. The RAD can confirm the decision, substitute its own decision, or send the claim back for a new hearing. Judicial review at the Federal Court generally comes after the RAD decision and requires a lawyer.
Yes. As an RCIC-IRB licensed consultant, we can represent individuals at Immigration Division detention reviews. Reviews are held within 48 hours of detention, again within the following 7 days, and then at least every 30 days.
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