Designated representative remuneration schedule

The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) remunerates contracted designated representatives (DRs) according to this schedule.

A DR for more than one person, because their files are joined, receives remuneration for one case only, unless otherwise directed by the IRB. This is because it does not usually require more time and effort on the part of the DR than it would to represent one person.

On this page

  • Table 1 – Fixed remuneration for cases concluded (standard average cases)

    Table 1 – Fixed remuneration for cases concluded (standard average cases)

    Remuneration for Immigration Division:  

    detention reviews  

    Remuneration for Immigration Division:  

    admissibility hearings (ADHs)  

    Remuneration for Immigration Division:  

    combined detention reviews and ADHs  

    Remuneration for Immigration Appeal Division:  

    appeals and reconsiderations of stay  

    Remuneration for Refugee Protection Division:  

    hearings of claim  

    Remuneration for Refugee Appeal Division:  

    paper process and hearings of appeal  

    48-hour detention reviews requiring less than 4 hours (preparation + hearing):
    $250  

    48-hour detention reviews requiring more than 4 hours (preparation time + hearing), 7-day, and 30-day detention reviews:
    $385  

    ADHs concerning sections 34, 35, 37 of Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA):
    $660  

    all other ADHs:
    $440  

    combined detention reviews and ADHs concerning sections 34, 35, 37 of IRPA:
    $880  

    all other combined detention reviews and ADHs:
    $550  

    paper hearings of appeal:
    $440  

    reconsiderations of stay without a hearing:
    $275  

    half-day hearings of appeal or reconsideration of stay:
    $660  

    full day hearings of appeal or reconsiderations of stay:
    $880  

    less complex claims:
    $660  

    all other claims:
    $935  

    continuing (from Refugee Protection Division) or new designation (no hearing):
    $500  

    if additional submissions are required by the Refugee Appeal Division, and/or a hearing is held to decide the appeal:
    $380  

    for a maximum amount of
    $880
    for the appeal  

     
    • Fixed remuneration is calculated according to average time for preparation and attendance at proceedings for standard average cases in each division.
    • Particulars:
      • Immigration Appeal Division – Stay of appeal: An immigration appeal stayed by the Immigration Appeal Division is considered a conclusion to the appeal, and the DR is entitled to fixed remuneration under table 1.
      • Refugee Protection Division – Claim ceased or vacated: A claim for refugee protection ceased or vacated by the Refugee Protection Division is considered a conclusion to the claim, and the DR is entitled to fixed remuneration under table 1.
      • With respect to cases concluded for reasons other than on the merits, for example, appeals dismissed for lack of jurisdiction or perfection, cases withdrawn, cases declared to be abandoned, etc., remuneration at the hourly rate of $55, rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, will be paid, as detailed on the optional invoice template or other type of invoice submitted to the IRB, but not exceeding fixed remuneration under table 1, and considered justified by the IRB.
      • Should a DR withdraw or a member end a designation before the conclusion of a case, remuneration at the hourly rate of $55, rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, will be paid to the DR, as detailed on their optional invoice template or other type of invoice submitted to the IRB and considered justified by the IRB.

  • Table 2 – Remuneration for work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention (Immigration Division)

    Table 2 – Remuneration for work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention (Immigration Division)

    The IRB acknowledges that DRs may have to devote considerable time in preparing alternatives to detention for the subject of the proceedings in detention reviews conducted by the Immigration Division. As members must actively consider and reassess alternatives to detention at each detention review, the DR plays a crucial role in this regard in helping persons who would otherwise stay in detention.  

    Remuneration for a maximum of 10 hours, at the hourly rate of $55, rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, considered justified by the IRB, will be paid, as detailed on the optional invoice template or other type of invoice submitted to the IRB for preparing and presenting an alternative to detention to the member presiding a detention review at the Immigration Division for each detention review/admissibility hearing. No additional time can be added to account for overhead/profit when billing for these tasks.  

    Pre-authorization by the IRB must be obtained by submitting a pre-authorization for work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention (table 2), supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence.  

    Alternatives to detention

    Remuneration for Immigration Division  

    Remuneration for Immigration Appeal Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Protection Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Appeal Division  

    Work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention  

    $55 / hour
    maximum of 10 hours  

    pre-authorization by the IRB required  

    not applicable  

    not applicable  

    not applicable  

     

  • Table 3 – Remuneration for extraordinary tasks

    Table 3 – Remuneration for extraordinary tasks

    It may be clear from the outset that a given case will require more time than the average time calculated for the remuneration set out in the remuneration schedule for performing the work. It may also only become apparent as the case evolves that more time will have to be devoted to carry out the work.  

    “Extraordinary tasks” means tasks conducted for preparation and attendance at proceedings that are not covered by the amounts set out in the remuneration schedule.  

    Remuneration at the hourly rate of $55, rounded to the nearest 15 minutes, considered justified by the IRB, will be paid, as detailed on the optional invoice template or other type of invoice submitted to the IRB. No additional time can be added to account for overhead/profit when billing for extraordinary tasks.  

    Pre-authorization by the IRB must be obtained by submitting a pre-authorization for extraordinary tasks (table 3), supported by evidence, as soon as it becomes apparent that extraordinary tasks will justify payment of remuneration in addition to the amounts set out in the remuneration schedule.  

    Extraordinary tasks

    Remuneration for Immigration Division  

    Remuneration for Immigration Appeal Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Protection Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Appeal Division  

    Extraordinary tasks conducted for preparation and attendance at proceedings  

    $55/hour
    pre-authorization by the IRB required  

     

  • Table 4 – Fixed remuneration for postponement and adjournment of proceedings and for interlocutory or other proceedings attended by designated representatives

    Table 4 – Fixed remuneration for postponement and adjournment of proceedings and for interlocutory or other proceedings attended by designated representatives

    Hearings may have to be postponed or adjourned for several reasons. Also, DRs may have to attend proceedings other than on the merits, pursuant to divisional rules or as directed by a division.  

    Remuneration shown in this table will be paid in the following cases, as detailed on the optional invoice template or other type of invoice submitted to the IRB. Remuneration for these proceedings includes preparation time and attendance by the DR.  

    Postponements and adjournments / interlocutory and other proceedings  

    Remuneration for Immigration Division  

    Remuneration for Immigration Appeal Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Protection Division  

    Remuneration for Refugee Appeal Division  

    a) Hearing has commenced and is not yet concluded:
    Second and each subsequent adjournment of hearing (i.e., the sum of $110 will be paid from the third sitting on) for reasons not related to the DR (for example, lack of time, etc.)  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    b) Hearing has not yet commenced:
    Postponement of hearing due to reasons not related to the DR without a 48‑hour notice by the IRB to the DR (for example, absence of subject of proceeding and/or counsel, operational reason, etc.)  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    c) Hearing is concluded:
    Parties are directed to reappear  

    $110  

    $110
     

    $110  

    $110  

    d) Alternate dispute resolution conference (whether the Minister consents or not)  

    not applicable  

    $275  

    not applicable  

    not applicable  

    e) Conference (scheduling, to narrow down issues, etc.)  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

    f) Special hearing to show cause / show cause conference  

    not applicable
     

    $110  

    $110  

    $110  

     

  • Table 5 – Travel expenses

    Table 5 – Travel expenses

    The IRB holds proceedings across Canada. Proceedings can be held in person, by videoconference, virtually, by telephone, or on the basis of the written record (without a hearing). The IRB has its headquarters in Ottawa and regional offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Toronto and Montreal. DRs may have to attend proceedings or meetings with subjects of proceedings in remote areas and/or premises other than IRB's premises located in regional headquarters, such as some points of entry, provincial correctional facilities, jails, health institutions and other locations such as Canada Border Services Agency's Immigration Holding Centres in Etobicoke (Ontario), Laval (Quebec) and Surrey (British Columbia).

    Pre-authorized reasonable travel expenses directly engaged in the performance of their work for attending proceedings or meetings with the subject of the proceedings, calculated in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive in effect at the time of travel, without any allowance for overhead or profit, may be reimbursed if supported by original receipts and considered justified by the IRB, in the following cases:

    • in the case of a proceeding, for the commute to and from the location where the proceeding is held:
      • if the proceeding is held in person; and
      • if the location where the proceeding is held is outside IRB premises (“IRB premises” consist of locations held by the IRB to carry out its business. The Registry of the Regional Office area should be consulted to obtain an up-do-date list).
    • in the case of a meeting with the subject of the proceedings, for the commute to and from the location where the subject is or resides:
      • if the meeting is held in person; and
      • if the subject is unable to travel to the place of meeting because they are detained or they are receiving inpatient care in a health institution.

    In both cases, the distance must be greater than 16 kilometers using the most direct, safe and practical road, whichever distance is shorter:

    • from the closest IRB office in the region where the proceeding is held (“IRB offices” consist of locations held by the IRB to carry out its business. The Registry of the Regional Office area should be consulted to obtain an up-do-date list), or
    • from the place of business/residence of the DR (if no business place).


    Travel expenses include transportation, accommodation, meals, and parking. When using privately owned vehicles for traveling, kilometric rates set out in Appendix B of the National Joint Council Travel Directive may be payable, using the most direct, safe and practical road routes and claimed only for distances necessarily driven on travel.

    Pre-authorization by the IRB must be obtained by submitting a pre-authorization for travel expenses (table 5), supported by sufficient and appropriate evidence.

    Travel expenses

    (calculated in accordance with the National Joint Council Travel Directive in effect at the time of travel, without any allowance for overhead or profit)

    Expenses incurred for Immigration Division

    Expenses incurred for Immigration Appeal Division

    Expenses incurred for Refugee Protection Division

    Expenses incurred for Refugee Appeal Division   

    a) Transportation

    (When using privately owned vehicles for travelling, kilometric rates set out in Appendix B of the National Joint Council Travel Directive may be payable, using the most direct, safe and practical road routes and claimed only for distances necessarily driven on travel.)

    payable
    pre-authorization by the IRB required

    b) Accommodation

    c) Meals

    d) Parking

    e) Other

  • Table 6 – Timing of payment of remuneration

    Table 6 – Timing of payment of remuneration

    The payment process will be initiated upon receipt of the DR’s optional invoice template or other type of invoice by the IRB. The DR can submit their invoice immediately after having completed the work, that is, at the conclusion of the hearing on the merits (i.e. after the hearing is concluded, at the end of the last sitting, if applicable) or after various other steps in the process that conclude a case (”conclusions on non-merits”), as set out in the following table.  

    Timing of payment of remuneration

    DRs’ services considered rendered in Immigration Division  

    DRs’ services considered rendered in Immigration Appeal Division  

    DRs’ services considered rendered in Refugee Protection Division  

    DRs’ services considered rendered in Refugee Appeal Division  

    a) When the final hearing is concluded and the member reserves their decision (“conclusion on merits”).  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    b) When the final hearing is concluded and the member delivers a bench decision (“conclusion on merits”).  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    c) When the final hearing is “adjourned” for written submissions (when it is clear that the hearing is concluded, that is, the evidence is complete and no mention to resume the hearing is made) (“conclusion on merits”).  

    (It is recommended that the invoice be submitted only after the DR has completed any additional work required as a result of the request for additional submissions. Also, should the member decide at a later date to resume the hearing, remuneration as set out in table 4 would be paid if the DR attends this additional proceeding.)  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    d) When the final hearing is “adjourned” for post-hearing documents (when it is clear that the hearing is concluded, that is, the evidence is complete and no mention to resume the hearing is made) (“conclusion on merits”).  

    (It is recommended that the invoice be submitted only after the DR has completed any additional work required as a result of the request for additional documents. Also, should the member decide at a later date to resume the hearing, remuneration as set out in table 4 would be paid if the DR attends this additional proceeding.)  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    e) In the cases decided on the basis of the record (paper process-no hearing), when the member signs the decision (“conclusion on merits”).  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    An invoice in the amount of $500 may be submitted immediately after the appeal is perfected.  

    If the member decides to hold a hearing or request additional submissions, an additional invoice in the amount of $380 can be submitted after the appeal is decided.  

    f) In the cases of conclusions on non-merits, when the member signs a decision that confirms that the case is concluded or when the Registry of the IRB confirms that a case is concluded (“conclusion on non-merits”).  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

    yes  

     

  • Annexes – Invoice (optional) and pre-authorization templates (mandatory)

    Annexes – Invoice (optional) and pre-authorization templates (mandatory)

    • Optional invoice template (table 1)

      Optional invoice template (table 1)

      Note: The use of this invoice template for claiming remuneration and travel expenses is optional. Designated representatives (DRs) may also use their own invoice templates.​

      Contracted designated representatives

      Except for cases that have been joined by the IRB, please use a separate invoice as follows:  

      • for each detention review, admissibility hearing, or combined detention review and admissibility hearing (Immigration Division);
      • for each appeal, or reconsideration of stay (Immigration Appeal Division/Refugee Appeal Division);
      • for each claim (Refugee Protection Division).

      Details of invoice

    • Pre-authorization for work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention (Immigration Division) (table 2) (mandatory)

      Pre-authorization for work related to preparation and presentation of alternatives to detention (Immigration Division) (table 2) (mandatory)

      Contracted designated representatives

      Except for cases that have been joined by the IRB, please use a separate form for each detention review, or combined detention review and admissibility hearing (Immigration Division).  

        

      Details of request

        

    • Pre-authorization for extraordinary tasks (table 3) (mandatory)

      Pre-authorization for extraordinary tasks (table 3) (mandatory)

      Contracted designated representatives

      Except for cases that have been joined by the IRB, please use a separate form:  

      • for each detention review, admissibility hearing, or combined detention review and admissibility hearing (Immigration Division);
      • for each appeal, or reconsideration of stay (Immigration Appeal Division/Refugee Appeal Division);
      • for each claim (Refugee Protection Division).
       

      Details of request

       

    • Pre-authorization for travel expenses (table 5) (mandatory)

      Pre-authorization for travel expenses (table 5) (mandatory)

      Contracted designated representatives

      Except for cases that have been joined by the IRB, please use a separate form:  

      • for each detention review, admissibility hearing, or combined detention review and admissibility hearing (Immigration Division);
      • for each appeal, or reconsideration of stay (Immigration Appeal Division/Refugee Appeal Division);
      • for each claim (Refugee Protection Division).
       

      Details of request