Chairperson's instructions

​These Instructions provide formal direction that obliges specific IRB personnel to take or to avoid specific actions. In contrast to Policies, Instructions are limited to a specific and narrow practice area and may also include organizational concerns (e.g. relations between decision-makers and Refugee Protection Officers) that define roles and responsibilities consistent with the principle of adjudicative independence and impartiality.

Applicable 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)

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.
(February 2006 | Amended in 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)