What to bring
Make sure you bring all your original documents with you. Also bring any envelopes in which documents were sent to you.
If you have evidence that you did not file before the deadline, bring it to the hearing. You will have to explain why you could not file it on time. The Board member will decide whether to allow the new evidence. They will take into account how important it is and whether, with reasonable effort, you could have filed it on time.
If you have witnesses who will be testifying over the phone, bring their telephone numbers and a phone card if it will be a long distance call.
If you have children are included in your claim and they are 12 years of age or older, you must bring them to your hearing as the Board member will need to identify them. If your children are under 18 years old, they will be asked to leave the hearing room before any evidence is heard.
Children under the age of 12 do not have to come with you unless the Immigration and Refugee Board has asked you to bring them. If you bring children who are too young to be left on their own, plan to have someone there who can look after them in the waiting room or go home with them if the Board member says they can leave.
Because there is no way to know exactly when the hearing will begin or how long it will take, bring with you any medicines you need to take during the day. You may also want to bring a snack or a meal. And it is a good idea to bring a bottle of water. Dress neatly and comfortably. Be prepared to spend the whole day at the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), although most hearings only take half a day.
At the start of the hearing, you will be asked to promise to tell the truth. If you would like to take an oath on a holy book, you should bring the book with you.
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