APPEALS AND HEARINGS

Permanent residents, in Canada or abroad, who a CIC officer decides have failed to meet their residency obligations, can appeal to the IAD of the Immigration and Refugee Board.

In certain circumstances, permanent residents who are determined to have failed to satisfy their residency obligations while abroad may be issued a temporary travel document so that they can return to Canada to attend their appeal hearing.

Members of the IAD hear appeals. The hearings are held in public and operate much like a regular court. However, rules of evidence are more flexible and the IAD can consider any evidence that it believes is credible and trustworthy. When making a decision, its members consider questions of law and fact and, in some situations, humanitarian and compassionate concerns.