Short-Hearing Experience

[dao.c]

Hi,

I believe my hearing will take place sometime this year, and it will likely be a short hearing unless that changes.
I wanted to ask about your experience with short (less complex) hearings.

I’ve heard that they mainly ask questions based on your Basis of Claim, and that you are essentially asked to go over it again. Is that true?
Also, do you know how likely it is for a claim to be rejected through a short hearing?

Thank you for any information.

 

[appwarez]

Hi,

I believe my hearing will take place sometime this year, and it will likely be a short hearing unless that changes.
I wanted to ask about your experience with short (less complex) hearings.

I’ve heard that they mainly ask questions based on your Basis of Claim, and that you are essentially asked to go over it again. Is that true?
Also, do you know how likely it is for a claim to be rejected through a short hearing?

Thank you for any information.

Short hearings are often a positive sign. In some cases, your application may even be accepted without a hearing if you have proper documentation and clearly demonstrate the hardship you faced. Even though there are credibility issues inconsistencies, vague answers, if you faced hearing.

 

[dao.c]

Short hearings are often a positive sign. In some cases, your application may even be accepted without a hearing if you have proper documentation and clearly demonstrate the hardship you faced. Even though there are credibility issues inconsistencies, vague answers, if you faced hearing.

Thanks I appreciate the response!

 

[imran#]

I submitted my family case in September 2023. The claimant document was received in January 2024. In March 2024, I received a letter indicating that my case is considered less complex, along with a final date to submit all my documents. Following this letter, my lawyer submitted all necessary documents. In August 2024, I received another letter stating that we may conduct either a short or normal hearing if required. The last letter I received from my lawyer at the IRB on May 26, 2026, inquired about the TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) document, noting that one of my child's records is missing. I have submitted all documents. The IRCC portal indicates that the background check has been completed, and I am still awaiting a hearing date or possibly a decision.

 

[appwarez]

I submitted my family case in September 2023. The claimant document was received in January 2024. In March 2024, I received a letter indicating that my case is considered less complex, along with a final date to submit all my documents. Following this letter, my lawyer submitted all necessary documents. In August 2024, I received another letter stating that we may conduct either a short or normal hearing if required. The last letter I received from my lawyer at the IRB on May 26, 2026, inquired about the TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) document, noting that one of my child's records is missing. I have submitted all documents. The IRCC portal indicates that the background check has been completed, and I am still awaiting a hearing date or possibly a decision.

The important point is that “less complex” does not automatically mean no hearing. IRB can still schedule a short hearing, a regular hearing, or in some circumstances make a decision based on the written record.
Since September 2023, so I would consider it reasonable for your lawyer to make another formal follow-up with the IRB.

 

[imran#]

The important point is that “less complex” does not automatically mean no hearing. IRB can still schedule a short hearing, a regular hearing, or in some circumstances make a decision based on the written record.
Since September 2023, so I would consider it reasonable for your lawyer to make another formal follow-up with the IRB.

 

[imran#]

Thank you; I value your response!

 

[canuck78]

The important point is that “less complex” does not automatically mean no hearing. IRB can still schedule a short hearing, a regular hearing, or in some circumstances make a decision based on the written record.
Since September 2023, so I would consider it reasonable for your lawyer to make another formal follow-up with the IRB.

There was contact this summer so there does seem to be movement on this file. Given that cases are no longer being approved without a hearing I am sure processing for less complex files has become much slower.

 

[appwarez]

There was contact this summer so there does seem to be movement on this file. Given that cases are no longer being approved without a hearing I am sure processing for less complex files has become much slower.

That reasoning is broadly sound, but I would make one important distinction. If the claim has been pending since September 2023, and there was contact from the IRB this summer, that suggests the file is still active rather than forgotten. However, “less complex” does not guarantee a paper-based decision or that a hearing will be avoided. The IRB can still decide that a hearing is necessary.

 

[canuck78]

That reasoning is broadly sound, but I would make one important distinction. If the claim has been pending since September 2023, and there was contact from the IRB this summer, that suggests the file is still active rather than forgotten. However, “less complex” does not guarantee a paper-based decision or that a hearing will be avoided. The IRB can still decide that a hearing is necessary.

After it became known that cases were being decided without a hearing during a parliamentary committee believe there is no longer approvals without a hearing and everyone is now getting some form of hearing. If that is the case the less complex file process will get much longer. In general the system is incredibly overwhelmed so processing times are increasing. If additional information was requested in May I am not surprised that a hearing has not been scheduled yet but it does show that they are getting closer to a hearing. Wait times of 3 years is becoming more common. I would assume OP also likely had a longer background check given their timeline.

 

[imran#]

After it became known that cases were being decided without a hearing during a parliamentary committee believe there is no longer approvals without a hearing and everyone is now getting some form of hearing. If that is the case the less complex file process will get much longer. In general the system is incredibly overwhelmed so processing times are increasing. If additional information was requested in May I am not surprised that a hearing has not been scheduled yet but it does show that they are getting closer to a hearing. Wait times of 3 years is becoming more common. I would assume OP also likely had a longer background check given their timeline.

Thank you very much. I understand your opinion and I hope for the best.