Immigration appeals statistics

​The Immigration Appeal Division (IAD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) hears appeals on immigration-related matters. There are several types of appeals that are heard by the IAD:

  • Appeals of family class sponsorship applications refused by officials of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
  • Appeals of removal orders made against permanent residents, Convention refugees and other protected persons, and holders of permanent resident visas.
  • Appeals by permanent residents who have been found by an IRCC official outside of Canada not to have fulfilled their residency obligation.
  • Appeals by the Minister of Public Safety of decisions at admissibility hearings by the IRB’s Immigration Division (ID) where the ID made a decision that a person is not inadmissible.

The IAD may allow an appeal and set aside an original decision based on the grounds of an error in law or fact, or of a breach of a principle of natural justice. In certain cases, the IAD may also give special relief on the basis of humanitarian and compassionate considerations, which includes taking into account the best interests of a child directly affected by the decision being appealed to the IAD. In a removal order appeal, the IAD may also give special relief by staying the removal order with conditions. If the IAD does not allow an appeal or stay the removal order made against the appellant, the IAD will dismiss an appeal.

When a stay is made in a removal order appeal, the making of the stay by the IAD allows the appellant to remain in Canada subject to any conditions made by the IAD that it considers necessary, and including any conditions that are required by the law. When a stay is given, the removal order remains in force but its effect is “stayed.” The stay given in a removal order appeal will be reconsidered by the IAD on a certain date, and after re-weighing the relevant factors, the IAD has the option of allowing the appeal and quashing the removal order, dismissing the appeal (which can lead to the enforcement of the removal order by the Canada Border Services Agency and removal of the person from Canada), or extending the stay for a further time period on the same or other conditions. A stay remains in force until it is cancelled by the IAD, and the appeal is allowed or dismissed.

If possible, the IAD wants the appellant and the Minister’s counsel to settle appeals early, without going to a full hearing. The IAD has an Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) process, which offers appellants an opportunity to resolve their case through a mediation-like process. The ADR process involves an in-person meeting that is called an ADR conference. An Early Resolution Officer (ERO), who is an IRB employee, conducts the ADR conference with the Minister’s counsel (representing either IRCC or the Minister of Public Safety) and the appellant and her or his counsel. The ERO facilitates a discussion between the appellant and the Minister in order to try to resolve the appeal. The goal of the conference is to see whether the appeal can be resolved, either by having the Minister consent to allowing the appeal, or having the appellant withdraw his or her appeal.

Statistics Tables

Please note that appeals finalized in a given time period may have been filed in a previous time period. The following tables include all types of appeals filed, including appeals that have been returned to the IAD by the Federal Court, as well as other types of matters heard by the IAD (such as applications to reopen and applications to reinstate).

Appeals by Region – 2023

All Appeals Filed
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2023/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,205 1741,138 1,042 235 813 3,228 555 1,668
Eastern696
29
239
329
51
211
830
102
319
Central1,469
101
517
476
84
345
1,422
341
844
Western1,040
44
382
237
100
257
976
112
505
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2023/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,151 0 781 670 1556602,266 0 1,032
Eastern440
0147
200
39
164
550
0182
Central955
0342
314
50
285
991
0510
Western756
0292
156
66
211
725
0340
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2023/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 516 174 221 142 54 90 507 555 290
Eastern129
29
63
63
6
24
156
102
72
Central238
101
112
54
21
38
225
341
139
Western149
44
46
25
27
28
126
112
79
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2023/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 511​ 0 126 209 26 61 422 0 315
Eastern115
026
59
6
23
114
052
Central266
059
103
13
21
196
0184
Western130
041
47
7
17
112
079
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2023/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 27 0 10 21 0 2 33 0 31
Eastern12
03
7
0010
013
Central10
04
5
01
10
011
Western5
03
9
01
13​
07​

Appeals by Region – 2022

All Appeals Filed
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2022/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,845 226 1,137 916 193 652 2,898 626 1,628
Eastern759
36
208
292
63
159
722
138
415
Central1,239
143
556
390
69
309
1,324
398
746
Western847
47
373
234
61
184
852
90
467
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2022/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,056 0 740 499 142 538 1,919 0 1,151
Eastern547
0111
148
53
132
444
0292
Central915
0356
218
44
255
873
0550
Western594
0273
133
45
151
602
0309
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2022/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 400 226 253 171 46 69 539 626 212
Eastern117
36
83
66
9
16
174
138
63
Central145
143
115
69
24
36
244
398
71
Western138
47
55
36
13
17
121
90
78
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2022/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 361 0 133 236 5 43 417 0 230
Eastern88
012
73
111
97
051
Central169
081
102
118
202
0114
Western104
040
61
3
14
118
065
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2022/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 28 0 11 10 0 2 23 0 35
Eastern7
02
5007
09
Central10
04
1005
011
Western11
05
4
02
11
015

Appeals by Region - 2021

All Appeals Filed
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2021/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,423 264 1,268 1,299 186 525 3,278 675 1,638
Eastern5955929841244128882185332
Central1,0651635805231012451,449406832
Western763423903644115294784474
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2021/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,458 0 698 482 96 397 1,673 0 1,017
Eastern316011711318963440188
Central6500310217561747570514
Western4920271152221275720315
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2021/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 485 264 343 215 72 64 694 675 305
Eastern1535913586232226618572
Central202163143723731283406164
Western13042655712111458469
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 
FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2021/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 454 0 222 587 18 64 891 0 286
Eastern116041211310265060
Central20801272348404090148
Western130054142714217078
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2021/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 26 0 5 15 0 0 20 0 30
Eastern10052007012
Central500000006
Western1100130013012

Appeals by Region - 2020

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2020/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,343 108 1,305 1,134 172 557 3,168 679 2,494
Eastern544
43
314
342
37
134
827
226
580
Central1,087
42
517
427
92
230
1,266
367
1,282
Western712
23
474
365
43
193
1,075
86
632
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2020/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,244 0 852 570 122 471 2,015 0 1,234
Eastern251
0160
155
21
107
443
0214
Central540
0326
197
67
192
782
0639
Western453
0366
218
34
172
790
0
381
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2020/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 410 108 262 197 30 38 527 679 514
Eastern109
43
111
96
9
14
230
226
146
Central220
42
104
56
18
14
192
367
287
Western81
23
47
45
3
10
105
86
81
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2020/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 680 0 184 361 20 47 612 0 723
Eastern179
041
89
7
12
149
0
212
Central327
087
173
7
24
291
0355
Western174
0
56
99
6
11
172
0
156
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2020/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 9 0 7 6 0 1 14 0 23
Eastern5
022
01
5
08
Central0001
001
01
Western4
05
3
008
014

Appeals by Region - 2019

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2019/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 4,149 269 2,341 2,069 573 1,186 6,169 781 3,245
Eastern9031035876172343451,783243827
Central1,8371211,0707972334392,5394391,418
Western1,409456846551064021,847991,000
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2019/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,746 0 1,552 1,026 304 965 3,847 0 2,012
Eastern5230273238902488490393
Central1,21907654331423771,7170902
Western1,0040514355723401,2810717
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2019/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 579 269 494 415 175 127 1,211 781 539
Eastern20210322320111076610243252
Central2131211871224320372439186
Western164458492223122999101
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2019/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 797 0 278 610 94 92 1,074 0 665
Eastern17208517134203100174
Central402011523948424440328
Western22307820012303200163
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2019/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 27 0 17 18 0 2 37 0 29
Eastern6067011408
Central303300602
Western180880117019

Appeals by Region - 2018

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2018/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 4,353 264 2,734 2,004 925 1,483 7,146 761 5,333
Eastern1,069905875534005072,0472201,753
Central1,8681331,3549754405803,3494552,128
Western1,41641793476853961,750861,452
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2018/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 2,745 0 1,709 796 364 1,159 4,028 0 3,149
Eastern52602341561053638580720
Central1,23808974052104841,99601,421
Western9810578235493121,17401,008
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2018/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 719 264 620 464 342 170 1,596 761 1,193
Eastern29690264239239103845220683
Central2251332481508342523455327
Western1984110875202522886183
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2018/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 862 0 384 734 219 151 1,488 0 953
Eastern23708615856413410334
Central4040206417147538230375
Western22109215916573240244
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2018/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 27 0 21 10 0 3 34 0 38
Eastern10030003016
Central103301705
Western1601570224017

Appeals by Region - 2017

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2017/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 5,297 252 2,265 2,035 788 1,494 6,582 895 8,004
Eastern1,434865886934234672,1712442,709
Central2,3121449038402736572,6735513,518
Western1,55122774502923701,7381001,777
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2017/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,376 0 1,402 902 339 1,088 3,731 0 4,434
Eastern819024120111628384101,050
Central1,46805604111615201,65202,181
Western1,0890601290622851,23801,203
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2017/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 979 252 559 547 332 252 1,690 894 1,944
Eastern399862672882461519522431,213
Central3701441971856850500551530
Western2102295741851238100201
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2017/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 903 0 294 572 117 147 1,130 0 1,582
Eastern21007820161303700438
Central467014424244875170796
Western22607212912302430348
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2017/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 39 0 10 14 0 7 31 1 44
Eastern602303818
Central7022004011
Western260690419025

Appeals by Region - 2016

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2016/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 5,739 292 2,089 1,978 811 1,469 6,347 1,014 9,181
Eastern1,5271225274543724761,8292483,446
Central2,4561348059473316162,6996303,803
Western1,756367575771083771,8191361,932
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2016/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,462 0 1,240 990 422 1,108 3,760 0 4,796
Eastern720023016614128982601,074
Central1,50004765152175151,72302,366
Western1,2420534309643041,21101,356
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2016/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,140 291 607 497 292 210 1,606 1,012 2,542
Eastern5281212522051901417882461,765
Central4201342351657139510630583
Western192361201273130308136194
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2016/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,113 0 227 485 97 147 956 1 1,807
Eastern2760388041442031597
Central53009426543624640846
Western30709514013412890364
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2016/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 24 1 15 6 0 4 25 1 36
Eastern31730212110
Central600200208
Western150810211018

Appeals by Region - 2015

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2015/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 5,349 190 2,032 2,016 658 1,637 6,343 1,324 9,481
Eastern1,409403763352534701,4342753,718
Central2,3611169881,0802887733,1298173,858
Western1,579346686011173941,7802321,905
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2015/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,351 0 1,178 1,082 330 1,246 3,836 0 5,095
Eastern645015816410029972101,181
Central1,58205795501616331,92302,589
Western1,1240441368693141,19201,325
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2015/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,092 190 626 374 224 227 1,451 1,320 2,701
Eastern596401881181221425702731,994
Central3041162871657453579815487
Western19234151912832302232220
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2015/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 881 0 214 551 104 158 1,027 3 1,648
Eastern1600255131291361524
Central471012036353846202778
Western25006913720452710346
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2015/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 25 0 14 9 0 6 29 1 37
Eastern8052007119
Central402203704
Western130750315014

Appeals by Region - 2014

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2014/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 5,804 129 1,838 1,857 445 1,582 5,722 1,667 10,131
Eastern1,427173123881635151,3783293,690
Central2,693959359482016652,7491,0364,405
Western1,68417591521814021,5953022,036
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2014/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,716 0 1,076 1,000 179 1,271 3,526 0 5,579
Eastern72901801805038479401,258
Central1,7760475487915651,61802,928
Western1,2110421333383221,11401,393
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2014/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,050 129 593 429 204 166 1,392 1,663 2,717
Eastern525171171671001074913271,914
Central3389537018171296511,034543
Western18717106813330250302260
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2014/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,017 0 159 425 62 139 785 3 1,794
Eastern168012401323881500
Central57508628039704752927
Western27406110510462220367
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2014/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 21 0 10 3 0 6 19 1 41
Eastern5031015118
Central404001507
Western12032049016

Appeals by Region - 2013

All Appeals Filed
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2013/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 5,739 72 1,782 2,022 453 1,413 5,670 2,089 9,627
Eastern1,56212583701183931,1393903,580
Central2,642659229982466802,8461,3444,153
Western1,5356602654893401,6853551,894
Sponsorship appeals filed (subsection 63(1))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2013/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 3,440 0 1,061 1,152 220 1,149 3,582 0 5,389
Eastern70801361554629963601,322
Central1,68004935471305681,73802,771
Western1,0520432450442821,20801,296
Removal order appeals filed (subsection 63(2), (3))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2013/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 1,308 72 544 393 177 152 1,266 2,087 2,635
Eastern69119715365653803881,820
Central3776532116180596211,344545
Western2406126793228265355270
Residency obligation appeals filed (subsection 63(4))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2013/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 965 0 166 472 56 111 805 1 1,564
Eastern152021617281171420
Central579010628936534840829
Western23403912213302040315
Appeals filed by the Minister (subsection 63(5))
 FiledStayedFinalizedPending (as of 2013/12/31)
AllowedDismissedAbandonedWithdrawn and OtherTotalStayed Non-Stayed
National 26 0 11 5 0 1 17 1 39
Eastern11041016118
Central602100308
Western9053008013