Refugee claim — hearing preparation
Refugee claim — hearing preparation: assessing eligibility, preparing forms and documents, and submitting to IRCC or the province.
What is included
- Reviewing your file and every notice from the Immigration and Refugee Board
- Preparing the required forms, such as the Basis of Claim form, and your written account
- Gathering evidence, including identity documents and country condition reports
- Disclosing documents to the Board within its deadlines
- Preparing you and any witnesses for the hearing
- Representing you at the hearing, where your service includes it
What is not included
- Government fees, such as IRCC processing, biometrics and right of permanent residence fees
- The cost of medical exams, police certificates, language tests, credential assessments and certified translations
- Federal Court judicial review, which only a lawyer may handle
- A new application, appeal or hearing after a decision, unless agreed in writing
Who this service is for
- Refugee claimants in Canada
- Permanent residents and sponsors appealing to the Immigration Appeal Division
- People facing an admissibility hearing or a detention review
Information to have ready
- 1Identity documents, passports and travel documents
- 2Every notice or letter from the IRB, CBSA or IRCC
- 3A dated account of what happened to you
- 4Supporting evidence, such as police, medical or court records, letters and photos
- 5Names and contact details of possible witnesses
Frequently asked questions
How much does it cost?
The fee is $900 plus 13% HST ($1,017.00 in all) for the work described on this page. Court, tribunal or government fees and other disbursements are extra. We confirm the scope and the fee in a written retainer agreement before any work starts.
What happens when I check out?
You book a time for your intake call, then save a card on Stripe's secure page. Nothing is charged today: the card is only charged later, for an invoice for work already done, as your retainer agreement sets out. A licensed paralegal confirms the details, checks for conflicts of interest and, if we can act for you, sends the retainer agreement. Fees paid before the work is done are held in our trust account.
Will there be an interpreter at my hearing?
Usually yes. The IRB provides an interpreter when you ask for one in your forms or by the Board's deadline.
What if I do not have identity documents?
Identity is central at the Board. If documents are missing, it helps to explain why and to gather other evidence of who you are as early as possible.
Can a licensed paralegal appear at the IRB?
Yes. Paralegals licensed by a provincial law society are authorized representatives before the Immigration and Refugee Board.
General information only, not legal advice. NEO Legal Services Professional Corporation is a licensed paralegal firm regulated by the Law Society of Ontario.
Important limitations
- No outcome can be guaranteed; IRCC and the Immigration and Refugee Board make the decisions
- Information must be complete and truthful; misrepresentation may lead to a refusal and a five-year bar
- Deadlines in IRCC letters must be met, and missing one may lead to a refusal or a closed file
- A licensed paralegal may represent you before IRCC and the Immigration and Refugee Board, but not in the Federal Court, so the firm refers judicial reviews and any other work outside a paralegal's scope to an Ontario lawyer.
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