On March 15, 2020, the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) issued a Practice Notice extending the time limits for filing and perfecting appeals.
Due to the quickly evolving situation associated with the COVID-19 pandemic, the RAD is issuing this Practice Notice, which updates and replaces the March 15, 2020 Notice regarding the time limits for filing and perfecting appeals.
Current Time Limits
The Notice of Appeal must usually be filed with the RAD not later than 15 days after receipt of the written reasons for the decision of the Refugee Protection Division (RPD).
An appeal must usually be perfected not later than 30 days after receipt of the written reasons for decision of the RPD.
Temporary Extension
If your time limit for filing a notice of appeal or perfecting an appeal falls on or after January 1, 2020, the RAD temporarily extends the time limit until 30 days after the date of the Resumption Notice. The Resumption Notice will be posted on the IRB website. Please check the IRB website regularly.
For greater certainty, this extension does not apply to appeals that were dismissed before March 15, 2020, the date the first Practice Notice was posted.
Monitoring
The IRB is monitoring the situation closely and may make further adjustments as the situation requires. Please check the IRB website regularly for updates.
Authority
Subsection 159.91(2) of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations provides that the RAD may extend the time for filing or perfecting an appeal by the number of days necessary for reasons of fairness and natural justice. In addition, section 165 of the
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides that the RAD may do whatever is necessary for a full and proper hearing.
Signed April 7, 2020
Paula Thompson
Deputy Chairperson, RAD