IRCC has introduced a new exemption from the 12-month bar on applying for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) for certain nationals of Israel and Palestine. The exemption took effect on September 29, 2026, and applies to eligible individuals whose relevant negative decision was made between September 30, 2025, and September 29, 2026.
What the update concerns
The update is titled “Exemption for nationals of Israel and Palestine to the bar on applying for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA).” It concerns an exemption from the bar on applying for a PRRA for nationals of Israel and Palestine.
ho may benefit from the exemption
Under the updated IRCC program delivery instructions, nationals of Israel and Palestine may be exempt from the usual 12-month waiting period before becoming eligible for a PRRA if their qualifying decision was made during the specified period.
For both Israel and Palestine, the applicable dates are:
- Effective date: September 29, 2026
- Relevant decision period: September 30, 2025 to September 29, 2026
The relevant decision may include a decision by the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, a qualifying Federal Court decision, or a previous PRRA decision, depending on the circumstances of the case.
What is the 12-month PRRA bar?
Under Canada’s immigration legislation, certain unsuccessful refugee claimants and people whose previous PRRA applications were refused are generally prevented from applying for another PRRA for 12 months following their most recent negative decision.
The bar can apply following:
- a negative refugee protection decision by the Immigration and Refugee Board;
- a negative decision on a previous PRRA application; or
- certain Federal Court decisions concerning a refugee claim or PRRA.
IRCC calculates the 12-month period from the applicable decision date.
Why can IRCC create an exemption?
Subsection 112(2.1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act allows the Minister of Immigration to exempt nationals, or former habitual residents, of a country from the 12-month PRRA bar where conditions in that country have changed to the point that certain individuals may face risks contemplated by sections 96 or 97 of the Act.
These provisions concern risks including persecution, torture, risk to life, or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment.
IRCC maintains a country-specific table identifying jurisdictions for which such exemptions are currently in place.
The exemption does not automatically grant protection
The exemption removes the 12-month waiting-period restriction for people who meet the applicable nationality and decision-date requirements. It does not mean that every affected person will automatically receive a positive PRRA decision.
A PRRA remains an individualized assessment. IRCC assesses whether the applicant would face a qualifying risk if removed to the country concerned.
Applicants must still establish their case based on the applicable legal requirements and the evidence available in their individual circumstances.
When can a person apply for a PRRA?
In general, a person subject to removal from Canada may apply for a PRRA only after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) determines that the person is eligible and provides notification of that entitlement.
Once a person is considered removal-ready, CBSA normally advises them of their eligibility and provides the PRRA application package.
A person notified of their eligibility generally has 15 days to submit the PRRA application and an additional 15 days to provide written submissions.
Effect on removal
Where a person is properly notified of their entitlement to apply for a PRRA and submits the application within the prescribed 15-day period, the removal order may be subject to a regulatory stay while the PRRA is being decided.
However, not every PRRA application automatically creates a stay of removal. For example, subsequent PRRA applications and applications filed after the applicable deadline may not benefit from the same statutory protection.
What applicants should know
The new exemption is particularly relevant to nationals of Israel and Palestine who received a qualifying negative refugee, PRRA or Federal Court decision between September 30, 2025 and September 29, 2026 and who would otherwise still be within the 12-month PRRA bar.
The exemption does not eliminate the normal PRRA eligibility rules or the requirement to demonstrate an individualized risk.
Individuals facing removal should also confirm whether CBSA has determined that they are eligible to submit a PRRA and should carefully review applicable filing deadlines before submitting an application.
Source: IRCC Program Delivery Updates