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COVID-19: Before you arrive for your hearing – what you need to know
As the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) resumes holding in-person hearings, important COVID-19 health and safety measures are being put in place to protect hearing room participants, employees and visitors.
Please be informed of the following limitations:
Claimants: Claimants under the age of 18 do not need to attend Refugee Protection Division (RPD) hearings unless the RPD requires their attendance, although they may attend if they and their designated representative wish. The RPD schedules hearings to ensure that physical distancing requirements are met, so the number of participants in a hearing may be limited. Please inform the RPD in writing (contact information is found in the Notice to Appear) at least 10 days in advance of your hearing date if you intend to bring a claimant who is younger than 18 years of age.
Observers: While COVID-19 health and safety measures are in place, it is the IRB's preference to limit the number of observers who attend hearings to ensure physical distancing requirements are respected. Please inform the RPD in writing at least 10 days in advance of your hearing date if an observer will accompany you (e.g. for emotional support).
Witnesses: You may bring witnesses to your hearing. As per the RPD rules you must inform the RPD in writing at least 10 days in advance of your hearing date of the name(s) of the witness(es), the reason for their testimony, how long their testimony is expected to take, your relationship to the witness(es) and if they need an interpreter. You must also inform the RPD in writing at least 10 days in advance of your hearing date if the witness(es) will appear in-person or by telephone. While COVID-19 health and safety measures are in place, if possible, please arrange to have the witness(es) appear by telephone.
You are required to consult the
IRB health and safety measures when you receive your notice.
You are also required to complete the
self-assessment questionnaire.