IRCC announced September 29, 2026 that people from Israel and Palestine refused protection since September 28, 2025 can apply for a PRRA without the usual 12-month wait.
On September 29, 2026, IRCC announced a temporary exception to the usual 12-month wait for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). It applies to nationals and former residents of Israel and Palestine who received a final negative protection decision in the past year.
A PRRA is a last review of whether sending someone back to their home country would expose them to persecution, torture or other serious harm. It is for people facing removal from Canada. Normally, once you receive a negative decision on a refugee claim, a previous PRRA or a Federal Court decision, you must wait 12 months before you can apply for a new one.
Per IRCC's official notice, the 12-month wait is lifted for people who are nationals or former residents of Israel or Palestine and who received a final negative decision between September 28, 2025 and September 29, 2026. The decision can be from the Immigration and Refugee Board, a previous PRRA, or the Federal Court.
IRCC gives the reason as a sudden change in conditions in the country of origin. People whose negative decision arrives after September 29, 2026 do not get the exception, because current conditions were already weighed in their cases.
This is a chance to apply, not a grant of protection. IRCC says each case is decided individually. You still have to show a personal risk of persecution, torture or serious harm. If a PRRA succeeds, the person can then apply for permanent residence; if it fails, the removal process continues.
People with a removal order for serious inadmissibility, or who were previously excluded from refugee protection, may qualify only for a restricted PRRA. Applicants must also keep their information current and tell IRCC about changes.
If you are from Israel or Palestine with a negative decision dated inside the window: apply following the instructions on IRCC's notice page. Don't assume the usual 12-month wait still applies to you, and talk to a lawyer or a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before filing, since a weak application can close off options.
If your decision came before September 28, 2025: the notice describes no exception for you. The standard rules apply.
If you are from another country: nothing changes. The usual 12-month wait stays in place. For other recent removal-related changes, see Canada lifts the removal halt for four Gulf countries and the proposed asylum process regulations. Separate temporary measures for Palestinians are covered in our July explainer.
Tip
The window is tied to the date your negative decision was received, not the date of your claim. Pull the decision letter now and confirm that date before anything else.
Disclaimer: This guide is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration advice. Always verify information with official IRCC sources and consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or licensed immigration lawyer for advice specific to your situation.