Refugee Hearing Preparation: What to Expect at the RPD

A practical guide to preparing for a Refugee Protection Division hearing — including how the hearing is structured, what board members assess, and how to present testimony clearly and credibly.

This guide explains what happens at a Refugee Protection Division (RPD) hearing — how the hearing is structured, who is present, what the board member is assessing, how evidence is presented, and how to prepare testimony. It is intended for refugee claimants who have received a hearing date and want to understand what to expect.

The RPD hearing is the most critical point in the refugee claim process. Everything that has been prepared — the BOC, the documentary evidence, the country condition documents — comes together at the hearing. The board member will assess the credibility of your testimony, the plausibility of your account, and the state protection available in your country. Being well-prepared significantly improves your ability to present clearly and consistently under what can be a challenging and stressful process.

• RPD hearings are conducted by a single board member and are generally not open to the public — your representative, an interpreter, and a Refugee Protection Officer (RPO) may be present
• The board member begins by confirming your identity and reviewing your BOC narrative — they will have read it in advance
• The hearing is inquisitorial, not adversarial — the board member asks questions directly, and your representative may also ask clarifying questions
• Credibility is assessed based on the consistency of your testimony with your BOC, your supporting documents, and known country conditions
• Implausibility findings are common — board members may challenge aspects of your account that seem inconsistent with country evidence or general experience