This section gives you high-level information and tips to help you prepare for your refugee hearing.
Get detailed information in Section 6 – At Your Hearing.
Take care of yourself
Take care of yourself the day before your hearing (for example, make sure you get enough sleep).
Expect questions
Be ready to answer questions about your claim. For example, you may be asked why you did not make your inland claim earlier than you did.
Members are people too
The Member at the IRB-RPD decides your claim. Each Member is different, each claim is different, but every decision should be fair.
Ask for breaks
It is normal to feel nervous or emotional during your hearing. If you feel upset you can ask to take a break. The Member is trained to understand that talking about your situation may be difficult.
Answer questions directly
Be honest when answering questions during your hearing. Never make up an answer. If you do not know something, or you are unsure, say so.
If you don’t understand a question, don’t try to answer it. Tell the Member you don’t understand and ask them to say it a different way.
Work with an interpreter
The IRB-RPD will get you a free professional interpreter in your language and dialect for your hearing. Even if you understand English or French, it is a good idea to have an interpreter to avoid mistakes. The interpreter makes sure that everyone in your hearing understands each other clearly. Before your hearing starts, speak with your interpreter to make sure that you understand each other well. If you don’t understand the interpreter, or you notice the interpreter make a mistake, tell the Member immediately. When you talk during the hearing, speak in short phrases for the interpreter.
Virtual hearings
Most refugee hearings are virtual (videoconference) hearings. You will need:
- Reliable, secure, high-speed internet
- A computer, tablet, or device with a working camera
- A quiet and private space
If your hearing is scheduled as a videoconference but you don’t have a private space or a computer you can use, you can ask the IRB-RPD to use a computer and room at their office. You can also ask IRB-RPD for an in-person hearing if you feel this would be better for you.