Evidence requirements
All your evidence must be in English or French. If you have documents in another language you need to have them translated into English or French. If you are submitting video or audio clips as evidence you will need to include a transcript that is also translated into English or French.
There is a deadline for your evidence. All evidence must be sent to the IRB-RPD at least 10 days before refugee hearing. Be sure to make this deadline!
Evidence must be submitted in a specific format. Keep reading below to find out more about this.
If you have a legal representative
If you have a legal representative, they usually send documents for you. Do not send anything to the IRB-RPD without showing it to your legal representative. They can help you decide which documents are important. Make sure you give them enough time.
If you do not have a legal representative
Evidence an be submitted in a few different ways. You can submit evidence by mail, email, fax, courier, or in person in certain cities. When you are submitting your evidence keep in mind the following important things:
- Make sure all of your documents are on 8.5 x 11 inch, letter-size paper. Typed documents must be at least size 12 font.
- Put your documents together and number the pages from first to last.
- Add a cover page with your name and address, the date, your IRB-RPD file number, a list of all your documents, and their page numbers.
- Make a copy of your document package. Keep the original. If a Minister’s Counsel will be at your hearing, make another copy.
- If you are submitting evidence by email make sure it is in PDF format.
Send one copy of your document package to the IRB-RPD in your region, based on your address. If you move to another region, you can request to have your claim transferred to another region:
If you live in British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Yukon, Northwest Territories
Fax
- Fax number: 604-666-3043
- You can only submit your documents that are under 50 pages long.
- Keep your original documents and proof that the documents were faxed.
- IRB–RPD, 300 West Georgia Street, Suite 1600 Vancouver, BC V6B 6C9
- Keep your original documents. Mail your document package from a Canada Post office. Ask for priority service. You will need to pay a fee. You will get a receipt and be able to track delivery. Be sure to mail your package early so it arrives on time.
- RPDWestern-SPRouest@irb-cisr.gc.ca
- Follow these instructions carefully: You must send your documents as attachments in PDF format. The PDF files cannot be over 20MB. In the subject line, put your UCI number (and your IRB-RPD number and hearing date if you have one) and what documents are attached. Do not write anything in the body of the email.
Electronic filing
- Your legal representative may use the Canada Post e-post Connect to send in your documents.
Courier
- IRB–RPD, 300 West Georgia Street, Suite 1600 Vancouver, BC V6B 6C9
- If you cannot use any of the other options, you can use a courier service. Keep your original documents and the receipt.
In person
- IRB–RPD, 300 West Georgia Street, Suite 1600 Vancouver, BC V6B 6C9
- If you are located in Vancouver you have the option of submitting documents in person to the IRB.
If you live in Ontario (except Ottawa and Kingston)
Fax
- Fax numbers: 416-954-1165, 416-973-9307, or 416-973-4013
- You can only submit documents that are under 50 pages long.
- Keep your original documents and proof that the documents were faxed.
- 25 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M4T 0A8
- Keep your original documents. Mail your document package from a Canada Post office. Ask for priority service. You will need to pay a fee. You will get a receipt and be able to track delivery. Be sure to mail your package early so it arrives on time.
- RPDCentral-SPRcentre@irb-cisr.gc.ca
- Follow these instructions carefully: You must send your documents as attachments in PDF format. The PDF files cannot be over 20MB. In the subject line, put your UCI number (and your IRB-RPD number and hearing date if you have one) and what documents are attached. Do not write anything in the body of the email.
Electronic filing
- Your legal representative may use the Canada Post e-post Connect to send in your documents.
Courier
- 25 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M4T 0A8
- Keep your original documents and the receipt.
In Person
- 25 St. Clair Avenue East, Suite 400, Toronto, Ontario M4T 0A8
- If you are located in Toronto you have the option of submitting documents in person to the IRB.
If you live in Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Newfoundland, Nunavut, Kingston (Ontario), Ottawa (Ontario)
Fax
- Fax number: 514-283-0164
- You can only submit documents that are under 50 pages long.
- Keep your original documents and proof that the documents were faxed.
- IRB-RPD, Guy-Favreau Complex, 200 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, East Tower, Room 102, Montréal, Quebec H2Z 1X4
- Keep your original documents. Mail your document package from a Canada Post office. Ask for priority service. You will need to pay a fee. You will get a receipt and be able to track delivery. Be sure to mail your package early so it arrives on time
- RPDEastern-SPRest@irb-cisr.gc.ca
- Follow these instructions carefully: You must send your documents as attachments in PDF format. The PDF files cannot be over 20MB. In the subject line, put your UCI number (and your IRB-RPD number and hearing date if you have one) and what documents are attached. Do not write anything in the body of the email.
Electronic filing
- Your legal representative may use the Canada Post e-post Connect to send in your documents.
Courier
- IRB-RPD, Guy-Favreau Complex, 200 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, East Tower, Room 102, Montréal, Quebec H2Z 1X4
- Keep your original documents and the receipt.
In Person
- IRB-RPD, Guy-Favreau Complex, 200 René-Lévesque Blvd. West, East Tower, Room 102, Montréal, Quebec H2Z 1X4
- If you are located in Montréal you have the option of submitting documents in person to the IRB.