IRCC Immigration Appeals

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Brief description of use case:

Appeal appointments made when you apply to appeal an immigration decision with IRCC. There are 4 types of appeals:

• Sponsorship appeal
• Appeal from a removal order issued by an officer of the Canada Border Services Agency or the IRB Immigration Division
• Residency obligation appeal
• Minister's appeal of an ID decision

https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/information-sheets/Pages/FactIadSai.aspx

And 2 types of appointments:

• Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) conference: When you submit an appeal and IRCC thinks it can be resolved without a formal hearing
• Hearing: When you submit an appeal to dispute a decision being made

Service URL: https://www.irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/filing-immigration-appeal/Pages/index.aspx

End user:

• Public: Person appealing an immigration decision made (application for citizenship or residency, order of removal etc.). This can involve someone who is applying themselves, or someone who is sponsoring family to come.
• Public: Witnesses
• Public (?): Legal counsel (will be contacted by gov't)
• Gov't: Designated representative (for minors, to explain proceedings)
• Gov't: Interpreter (needs to be requested by person making the appeal)

Number of potential end users:

3,085 appeals were filed in 2019. They don't necessarily all result in appointments made, but this is the potential # of users.
https://irb-cisr.gc.ca/en/statistics/immigration-appeals/Pages/index.aspx

Currently offering appointments: yes

Where does/could the appointment fit in the service journey?:

• After someone receives an immigration decision, they can apply for an appeal.
• Once they apply, they're reached out to for more information (this could involve booking a time similar to the CPPD call?).
• Then it's determined whether the appeal can be resolved with an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) conference, instead of a formal hearing. They're given a time for this appointment if IRCC decides to go this route.
• If it can't be resolved with an ADR, there's 2 paths:
  1. If they have legal counsel, they're sent a Notice to Appear for the hearing, 4 weeks prior to the
     hearing with the date and time.
  2. If they don't have legal counsel, they're sent a Notice to Appear for a scheduling conference. At
     the conference, an IAD officer will explain the hearing process and schedule a date for the hearing.

Does the service require payment?: no
Contact: Our IRCC contact?
Service standards that could apply or be affected: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/service-declaration/service-standards.html

Appointment channel:

• Appointments can be done in person, by video conference or by phone.
• This is true for ADR & hearings.
• You have to notify the IAD 10 days prior to the appointment date if you want video or phone.

Booking channel: Mail (most likely - sent a notice to appear)

Booking URL: N/A - sent the time in a notice

What personal information do people need to provide to book the appointment?: N/A - sent the time in a notice

Appointment booking: assigned by govt

Does frontline worker do appointments for multiple services?: NEI

What system is used to manage frontline workers time?: Custom software, paper files (assuming this based on what Hillary & Paul said about IRCC)