The Refugee Protection Division (RPD) is the IRB division that hears refugee claims. For claimants in Mississauga and the GTA, most deadlines before the hearing are 10 days. Track the Basis of Claim form, documents, witnesses, interpreter requests and contact details in one calendar. Rules checked October 30, 2026.
Key facts
- A port-of-entry claimant must provide the Basis of Claim (BOC) form to the RPD within 15 days after referral (IRPR s.159.8).
- Contact information must be provided to the RPD and the Minister within 10 days after receiving the officer’s information, and changes must be reported without delay.
- BOC changes, most documents, witness information and interpreter-request changes are due at least 10 days before the hearing.
- A document responding to another document is due at least 5 days before the hearing.
- A hearing-date change request must be received at least 3 working days before the hearing and is allowed only in exceptional circumstances.
- After a refusal, a RAD appeal is due within 15 days of receiving the reasons unless an exclusion applies.
What is the Refugee Protection Division?
The RPD is the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada division that hears refugee claims. It considers the claim at a hearing and issues a decision. The filing rules apply to the RPD stage, whether you are preparing from Mississauga, elsewhere in the GTA or another location in Canada.
The rules were checked on October 30, 2026 in the RPD Rules on the Justice Laws website and the related regulations. The main practical point is to work backwards from the hearing date and keep proof of everything you send.
What must you file, and when?
Your filing schedule depends on how the claim was referred and what happens before the hearing. Use the dates in your documents as the starting point, then record each deadline in one calendar.
| Item | Deadline | Important rule |
|---|---|---|
| Port-of-entry BOC | Within 15 days after referral | The RPD may extend the period for fairness and natural justice. |
| Contact information | Within 10 days after receiving the officer’s information | Give it to the RPD and the Minister. Report changes without delay. |
| BOC deadline extension request | At least 3 working days before the BOC deadline expires | The request must be received by that time. |
| BOC changes | At least 10 days before the hearing | Changes must be underlined, signed and accompanied by a declaration. |
| Documents | At least 10 days before the hearing | A responding document may be filed at least 5 days before the hearing. |
| Witness information | At least 10 days before the hearing | Provide the required information for each witness. |
| Interpreter-request change | At least 10 days before the next proceeding | Use this deadline for a change to the interpreter request. |
| Original documents | At the beginning of the hearing | Bring the originals of documents filed with the RPD. |
| Hearing-date change request | At least 3 working days before the hearing | It requires exceptional circumstances and 3 alternative dates within 10 working days. |
An inland claimant gives the BOC to the officer under rule 7(1). The BOC declaration has the same force as an oath. Attach copies of identity and travel documents, whether genuine or not, along with other relevant documents.
How do you change a BOC or file documents?
File a BOC change, supporting documents and witness information by the applicable deadline. Do not wait until the hearing to correct a material error or add routine evidence.
BOC changes
Under rule 9, changes must be underlined, signed and accompanied by a declaration. The RPD must receive them at least 10 days before the hearing. Keep the original version, the changed version and proof of delivery.
Documents and translations
Under rule 32, a document that is not in English or French needs a translation and a translator’s declaration. The RPD must receive documents at least 10 days before the hearing, unless the document responds to another document, in which case the deadline is 5 days.
Witness information
Provide witness information at least 10 days before the hearing. Keep a copy of what you filed and note when the RPD received it. If your contact details change, report the change to the RPD and the Minister without delay.
What happens at the RPD hearing?
When the Minister is not a party, the RPD member asks questions first and your counsel asks questions after (rule 10). If the Minister intervenes, the order changes, and the Minister’s counsel also asks questions.
Bring the originals of documents filed with the RPD to the beginning of the hearing. Expect questions about your claim and the documents on file. Your answers must be your own and accurate: the BOC declaration has the same force as an oath.
Check your hearing notice, interpreter arrangements and contact details before the date. Keep copies of every form, translation, declaration, document and delivery record.
What if you miss a deadline or the hearing date?
Act quickly if you miss the BOC deadline or the hearing. Under rule 65, a special hearing on abandonment is held no later than 5 working days after the missed BOC deadline or hearing date; its date is on your notice to appear. You can explain there why the claim should not be declared abandoned, and if the BOC was missed, you must bring the completed BOC.
A request to change the hearing date must reach the RPD at least 3 working days before the hearing. It must identify 3 alternative dates within the following 10 working days, and a change is allowed only in exceptional circumstances. A request is not a substitute for attending the scheduled hearing unless the RPD changes it.
If you have not yet had your eligibility interview, North Vista Immigration’s page on interviews with IRCC and CBSA explains that step. Keep the RPD informed if your address, telephone number or email changes. Rule 4 requires contact information to be provided within 10 days after receiving the officer’s information and updated without delay. Missed updates can mean you do not receive important notices.
What happens after an RPD refusal?
If the RPD refuses the claim, an appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division (RAD) is due within 15 days of receiving the reasons unless an exclusion applies. The applicable appeal route depends on the decision and the claimant’s circumstances.
Read the decision and reasons carefully, record the date you received them and check the applicable appeal rules promptly. North Vista Immigration’s Refugee Appeal Division information explains the next stage. Some RPD decisions cannot be appealed to the RAD, so read the decision’s wording first.
Frequently asked questions
What is the RPD in Canada?
The Refugee Protection Division is an Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada division that hears refugee claims. It reviews the claim at a hearing and makes a decision. The RPD stage includes filing the Basis of Claim form, identity and travel documents, other relevant evidence, witness information and any required translations. Claimants in Mississauga and the GTA must follow the same federal RPD Rules.
When is the Basis of Claim form due?
For a port-of-entry claim, the Basis of Claim form must be provided to the RPD within 15 days after referral. An inland claimant gives the BOC to the officer under rule 7(1). If you need more time, an extension request must be received at least 3 working days before the BOC deadline expires. The RPD may extend the period for fairness and natural justice.
When must RPD documents and witness details be filed?
The RPD must receive documents at least 10 days before the hearing. A document responding to another document may be filed at least 5 days before the hearing. Witness information is due at least 10 days before the hearing. Documents not in English or French need a translation and a translator’s declaration. Keep copies and proof of delivery for every filing.
What happens if I miss my RPD hearing?
A special hearing on abandonment is held no later than 5 working days after the missed hearing date, and you can explain there why the claim should not be declared abandoned. If you need a different date, the request must be received at least 3 working days before the hearing, include 3 alternative dates within 10 working days and rely on exceptional circumstances. Keep attending unless the RPD changes the date.
How long do I have to appeal an RPD refusal?
After an RPD refusal, an appeal to the Refugee Appeal Division is due within 15 days of receiving the reasons unless an exclusion applies. Record when the reasons were received and check the applicable appeal route promptly. The 15-day period is separate from the earlier RPD hearing deadlines, so keep the decision and delivery records with your claim documents.
Start by writing your hearing date at the top of a calendar and counting back 10 days. If you want your filing calendar and documents reviewed, book a consultation through North Vista Immigration’s Refugee Protection Division page. North Vista is a regulated immigration consultant in Mississauga; it cannot promise an outcome.