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Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) Fast-Track Policy

Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) Fast-Track Policy

The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of IRB has developed a Fast-Track Policy (FTP) for simple claims.

The Fast-Track Policy is comprised of two policy instruments:

• Fast-Track Policy: Expedited Process (EP)
• Fast-Track Policy: Hearings Process (HP).

Fast-Track Policy: Expedited Process (EP)

The EP policy establishes a framework to identify and deal quickly and fairly with claims that can be determined without a hearing at a consistently faster rate than more complex claims. The key underlying principles of the process include:

• efficiency (accuracy and simplicity of process);
• consistency of process (a consistent approach to key elements of the process);
• process integrity (transparency of process and issuance of well-founded, reasoned decisions); and
• possibility of quicker integration into the country for refugee protection claimants whose claims appear to be manifestly well founded.

The expected results include having expedited claims ready for scheduling within seven days of referral or receipt of the Personal Information Form (PIF), depending on the nature of the claim, scheduling an interview within the following 6 to 8 weeks, and issuing a decision within seven days after the interview.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Chairperson, RPD, certain countries and claim types may be designated for processing under the Fast-Track Policy across all regional and district offices. Each office may add additional countries and claim types it deems suitable. Furthermore, the Fast-Track Policy does not limit the streamlining of individual claims from the expedited process. Countries and claims that would not normally fall under the Fast-Track Policy may still be streamed for an expedited interview.

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Fast-Track Policy: Hearings Process (HP)

The HP policy establishes a framework that governs the process to identify and deal quickly and fairly with simple claims that require a hearing.

The objective of the HP is to establish, at an early stage, a means to identify and process simple claims at a consistently faster rate than more complex claims. The key underlying principles of the process include:

• efficiency (accuracy and simplicity of process);
• consistency of process (a consistent approach to key elements of the process); and
• process integrity (transparency of process and issuance of well-founded, reasoned decisions).

The expected results include having simple claims ready for scheduling within seven days of referral or receipt of the Personal Information Form (PIF), depending on the nature of the claim, scheduling a hearing within the following six to eight weeks, and issuing a decision within seven days after the hearing.

Under the guidance of the Deputy Chairperson, RPD, certain countries and claim types may be designated for processing under the Fast-Track Policy across all regional and district offices. Each office may add additional countries and claim types it deems suitable. Furthermore, the Fast-Track Policy does not limit the streamlining of claims to the normal straightforward process. Countries and claim types that do not fall under the Fast-Track Policy may still be streamed for a straightforward hearing.

Click here to find out more.