Estimate for Refugee Hearing Date for Refugee Claim Filed 2025

[wiener]

- Most likely your hearing date will not be in 2025.
- Most claims submitted this year are not being scheduled for 2025 hearings. Many who submitted claims in 2024 are still waiting for a date.
- Make sure anything you submit is accurate and complete and submitted on time for the file to be processes accurately.
- There is no way for you to prioritize your application.
- Yes, it's possible to claim asylum after 7 years in Canada. You will want to make sure you have strong evidence of what has recently changed in your home country that makes an asylum claum necessary now. This needs to include evidence of how you are being specifically targeted by these new threats (vs general country conditions).

Country conditions are more crucial than specific threats. If someone has threats in stable country, members in the hearing will argue that the claimant has internal flight alternative and can move to safer regions within the country. Applicants from war torn and unstable countries have high approval rate for asylum.

 

[canuck78]

Do you mean not referring cases to IRB if applicant resides in Canada for long time. I think this is mentioned in proposed Bill C-2. Not sure if this constitutional or not. IRB states on their website that delay in making claim is not decisive factor in itself. One thing I noticed in bill C2 is that applicants who arrived in Canada before 2020 are not affected, it seems that IRCC does want to help them or expect that these people already got PR through other pathways.

Yes any changes to how asylum claims are processed or who qualifies will likely be challenged legally. The newer asylum claimants with long periods of time already may get expedited processing to try to deny the ones without grounds as far as possible.

 

[canuck78]

Country conditions are more crucial than specific threats. If someone has threats in stable country, members in the hearing will argue that the claimant has internal flight alternative and can move to safer regions within the country. Applicants from war torn and unstable countries have high approval rate for asylum.

Unstable countries is a stretch. Many still get denied from unstable countries. Way too many countries that would be deemed “unstable”. You need additional reason why you personally can’t return to your home country if there is no active conflict.

 

[wiener]

Unstable countries is a stretch. Many still get denied from unstable countries. Way too many countries that would be deemed “unstable”. You need additional reason why you personally can’t return to your home country if there is no active conflict.

RPD has country specific reports that are used to help determine outcome of refugee claims. What I mean by unstable is the countries that experience armed conflicts, civil war, political division where is more than one government, and fragile countries in which militias and other non-state actors widely exist. Most of ADR/TDR countries have these issues.

 

[canuck78]

RPD has country specific reports that are used to help determine outcome of refugee claims. What I mean by unstable is the countries that experience armed conflicts, civil war, political division where is more than one government, and fragile countries in which militias and other non-state actors widely exist. Most of ADR/TDR countries have these issues.

I know but that goes far beyond an “unstable country”.

 

[cleo007]

Hello,
I am seeking guidance regarding the expected timeline for a refugee hearing in Toronto.

I submitted my refugee claim from within Canada on April 15, 2025, with legal assistance. I have been residing in Canada since 2018. Below is a brief overview of the steps completed so far:

• April 16: Received Acknowledgment of Claim, medical exam request, and IFHP coverage
• April 25: Received interview call, scheduled for May 6
• May 3: Completed and passed medical exam
• May 6: Attended interview, completed biometrics, had documents collected, received brown paper, and was informed that my claim was referred to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD)

As of now, the portal still shows that my background check is in progress, and there have been no updates regarding a hearing date.

While I understand that delays are common, I’ve seen a wide range of estimates online—from late 2025 to late 2026—and was hoping to get a more accurate sense of current timelines, particularly in Toronto.

Could anyone familiar with recent trends or similar cases share insight on:

• How long it typically takes to receive a hearing date in Toronto
• Whether claims submitted this year are being scheduled within 2025 or later
• Any steps that may help ensure the file is progressing properly

I would appreciate any information or personal experiences. Thank you in advance for your time and support.

Unfortunately no way to fast track the process. There is a huge backlog but stay positive! I filed my claim Dec 2022. got my hearing April 2025 and my Notice of decision Last month..Its juts a matter of patience.Best of luck

 

[canuck78]

Unfortunately no way to fast track the process. There is a huge backlog but stay positive! I filed my claim Dec 2022. got my hearing April 2025 and my Notice of decision Last month..Its juts a matter of patience.Best of luck

The issue is the backlog has grown significantly since 20222 so if you waited 2.5 years will people be routinely waiting 5+ years for a hearing? There is a huge need for reform of the asylum system.

 

[wiener]

The issue is the backlog has grown significantly since 20222 so if you waited 2.5 years will people be routinely waiting 5+ years for a hearing? There is a huge need for reform of the asylum system.

Most people have been waiting 1 to 3 years for hearing. I do not think processing will be 5 years. However, I agree there is urgent need for reforms. Applicants from war torn and unsafe countries should be fast tracked for file review without hearing as these countries have high approval rate. This will reduce backlog significantly. Cases from democratic and safe countries with internal flight alternative should not be prioritized at all. Roughly, 20% of current backlog are coming from single country India (42k pending claims) which is democratic safe country with IFA.

 

[canuck78]

Most people have been waiting 1 to 3 years for hearing. I do not think processing will be 5 years. However, I agree there is urgent need for reforms. Applicants from war torn and unsafe countries should be fast tracked for file review without hearing as these countries have high approval rate. This will reduce backlog significantly. Cases from democratic and safe countries with internal flight alternative should not be prioritized at all. Roughly, 20% of current backlog are coming from single country India (42k pending claims) which is democratic safe country with IFA.

There is already a system for processing less complex cases many without hearings. Even with the system the backlog and processing times have grown exponentially. More reforms are needed but processing will get longer.

 

[cleo007]

After 7 years being in canada then you claimed for refugee?!

It does sound like an unusual situation. But life happens, and people face different circumstances. This will definitely be an interesting case. My advice would be to watch out for any potential inconsistencies, as there may be increased scrutiny due to the timeframe—it might appear as though they’re pursuing this option after running out of others for permanent residence.

 

[lessirafim]

Not sure what you mean. There will be no change in protection you receive between being an asylum claimant and a protected person while in Canada.

I didn’t know how to explain it properly but I was being threatened by my family back home. They refused to pay for my tuition in order to get me deported back because they thought it was an easier way to get to me. I came in here as a minor and I didn’t know anything about asylum or that I could apply for it. I thought it was for people that came from war. That’s what I meant by I wasn’t sure if my situation qualified.

 

[lessirafim]

After 7 years being in canada then you claimed for refugee?!

I came into the country as a minor and recently became an adult

 

[lessirafim]

It does sound like an unusual situation. But life happens, and people face different circumstances. This will definitely be an interesting case. My advice would be to watch out for any potential inconsistencies, as there may be increased scrutiny due to the timeframe—it might appear as though they’re pursuing this option after running out of others for permanent residence.

I have tried all other alternatives before applying for asylum. I asked for legal advice before anything else. The most important to me right now is not about getting PR, it’s about making sure my family will never be able to find me as whatever happens when they do would be life or death. That’s why I was tying to figure out how long it takes because what do I do if the threats are still happening ? I’m scared that they will somehow find me in here as well. But I’m not sure what to do in this case. I still have no updates whatsoever and I’m still living in fear

 

[lessirafim]

- Most likely your hearing date will not be in 2025.
- Most claims submitted this year are not being scheduled for 2025 hearings. Many who submitted claims in 2024 are still waiting for a date.
- Make sure anything you submit is accurate and complete and submitted on time for the file to be processes accurately.
- There is no way for you to prioritize your application.
- Yes, it's possible to claim asylum after 7 years in Canada. You will want to make sure you have strong evidence of what has recently changed in your home country that makes an asylum claum necessary now. This needs to include evidence of how you are being specifically targeted by these new threats (vs general country conditions).

Thank you so much ! When I submitted my application with the lawyer, she had asked to collect evidence whilst waiting for a hearing date and so far I have a lot of them as well as supporting letters from various witnesses. Is there a way to submit it ahead of getting a hearing date ? Or is it better to just wait until I get an actual hearing date?