On December 19, 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced a significant update regarding the pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) process, specifically affecting Iranian nationals. The usual 12-month waiting period for applying for a PRRA following a negative refugee claim decision has been waived for certain individuals due to deteriorating conditions in Iran.
Key Takeaways
- IRCC is waiving the usual 12-month PRRA waiting period for some Iranian nationals due to deteriorating conditions in Iran.
- The key eligibility factor is the date of your final negative decision (IRB or Federal Court): December 20, 2024 to December 19, 2025.
- If your PRRA was refused during that same period, you may be eligible to apply for a secondary PRRA.
- This change can help stop removal while the PRRA is processed, but each case is decided individually and outcomes vary.
Pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) for Iran: what changed on December 19, 2025
IRCC posted a notice dated December 19, 2025 stating that, because country conditions and human rights conditions in Iran have deteriorated, certain Iranian nationals may now be eligible to apply for a PRRA without waiting the usual 12 months after a negative refugee decision.
In plain terms: if you are an Iranian national and you recently received a final negative decision on your refugee claim, this notice may open a narrow window to submit a PRRA earlier than normal.
What is a PRRA (and why it matters)
A PRRA is a risk-based assessment that looks at whether you would face serious harm if you were removed from Canada. IRCC’s notice highlights the core purpose: preventing removal to a country where the person has shown they face risks such as persecution, torture, or other serious harm.
If your PRRA is accepted for processing, it can stop (or delay) removal while the PRRA decision is made. However, being eligible to apply does not mean you will be approved or allowed to remain in Canada permanently.
Who is potentially eligible under today’s notice
According to IRCC, this PRRA waiting-period exemption may apply to Iranian nationals who received a negative final decision on their asylum (refugee) claim from either:
- the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), or
- the Federal Court
The decision must have been issued between December 20, 2024 and December 19, 2025.
| Situation | What the December 19, 2025 notice says | What to do next |
|---|---|---|
| Iranian national with a final negative IRB/Federal Court decision dated Dec 20, 2024 to Dec 19, 2025 | May be eligible to apply for PRRA with the 12-month wait waived | Confirm the decision date/type and prepare a PRRA package |
| IRCC refused your PRRA during the same period (Dec 20, 2024 to Dec 19, 2025) | May be eligible to apply for a secondary PRRA | Review refusal reasons and prepare updated evidence |
| Final negative decision after Dec 19, 2025 | Not eligible for PRRA for 12 months (recent country changes are considered “already known”) | Get advice on other options and timelines |
| Removal order for serious inadmissibility or previously excluded from refugee protection | May only be eligible for a restricted PRRA | Seek qualified legal help before filing |
Why IRCC is waiving the usual 12-month waiting period
Normally, after a final negative refugee decision, most people must wait 12 months before applying for a PRRA. IRCC can waive that waiting period if there is a sudden and significant change in country conditions. In today’s notice, IRCC states that conditions in Iran have deteriorated following escalated hostilities in June 2025, increasing risks for some Iranian nationals if required to return.
What to do next if you think you qualify
1) Confirm you have a “final negative decision” and the exact date
The date window is strict. Start by confirming:
- the date of your final negative decision (not an earlier step), and
- whether it was issued by the IRB or the Federal Court (as described in the notice).
If you are unsure what counts as “final” in your situation, review your paperwork carefully and consider a professional case review. An internal reference that may help: Understanding “final decisions” after a refused refugee claim.
2) If you previously filed a PRRA and it was refused, assess “secondary PRRA” eligibility
IRCC’s notice specifically mentions that if IRCC refused someone’s PRRA during the same date range (Dec 20, 2024 to Dec 19, 2025), that person may now be eligible to apply for a secondary PRRA. This does not mean a second application will succeed automatically. It means you may have a renewed procedural opening to present updated risk evidence.
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Before you reapply, identify what IRCC found unpersuasive last time and what has changed since then (personal circumstances, documentation, country conditions, or new corroboration). See also: How to strengthen new evidence in risk-based applications.
3) If you have CBSA removal enforcement, act quickly and carefully
Many PRRA situations arise when a person is subject to removal. If you are in contact with CBSA or have upcoming reporting requirements, do not ignore them. Filing procedures and timing can be crucial, and missing an appointment can create serious complications.
IRCC also notes that people subject to a removal order for serious inadmissibility, or those previously excluded from refugee protection, may only be eligible for a restricted PRRA. This is a high-stakes area where individualized advice matters.
Official CBSA information on removal orders
4) Build a PRRA package that is current, specific, and consistent
IRCC emphasizes that applicants must keep their PRRA application up to date and inform IRCC of changes. Practical steps typically include:
- Preparing a clear personal narrative focused on risk upon return (not a repeat of the entire refugee claim).
- Gathering supporting documentation that is recent and ties directly to your circumstances.
- Including country condition evidence that is credible and targeted (avoid overwhelming the application with unrelated material).
- Ensuring your contact information is current and that you can receive communications promptly.
Internal reference: PRRA checklist: documents, timelines, and common pitfalls.
What this update does not change
IRCC is clear on several important limits:
- Eligibility is not approval. Officers decide each case individually based on the information provided.
- The exemption is time-bounded. It is tied to a specific decision window (Dec 20, 2024 to Dec 19, 2025).
- New refusals after Dec 19, 2025 follow the normal wait. IRCC states those individuals are not eligible to apply for a PRRA for 12 months.
Practical editorial read: why this matters for affected families
Facts: The policy signal here is procedural—IRCC is opening access to PRRA sooner for a defined group of Iranian nationals because it considers conditions to have changed significantly.
Analysis (one possible reading): If you fall within the date window, the main “win” is time. A PRRA filing can create breathing room and a structured way to submit updated risk evidence. The downside is that rushed, incomplete, or inconsistent submissions can do more harm than good—so speed must be balanced with quality.
Next steps: eligibility check and case review
If you are an Iranian national and your final negative decision falls between December 20, 2024 and December 19, 2025, consider an immediate eligibility triage: confirm your dates, identify whether you face any “restricted PRRA” issues, and map out evidence you can obtain quickly and credibly.
For help reviewing timelines and strategy, Book a consultation or request a document-based case review.
This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does this IRCC update apply to everyone from Iran in Canada?
No. IRCC’s notice ties eligibility to Iranian nationals who received a negative final decision on their refugee claim from the IRB or Federal Court between December 20, 2024 and December 19, 2025 (and certain people with a refused PRRA in that same period).
What if my negative decision is dated December 20, 2025?
IRCC states that people from Iran who receive a final negative decision after December 19, 2025 are not eligible to apply for a PRRA for 12 months, because recent changes in Iran would already have been considered in their process.
If I’m eligible to apply for PRRA under this notice, will I automatically be allowed to stay in Canada?
No. IRCC explicitly notes that eligibility to apply does not guarantee the person will be able to stay in Canada. Officers decide each case individually based on the information provided.
What is a “secondary PRRA” in this context?
IRCC indicates that if it refused someone’s PRRA between December 20, 2024 and December 19, 2025, that person may now be eligible to apply for a secondary PRRA. It is not an automatic reconsideration; you still must submit an application and supporting evidence.
What if I have a removal order or CBSA reporting requirements?
Do not ignore CBSA instructions. Timing can be critical in PRRA matters, and some people may only qualify for a restricted PRRA (for example, if they are subject to a removal order for serious inadmissibility or were previously excluded from refugee protection). Seek qualified professional advice for your specific situation.
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Sources: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), official government publications
