Canada has introduced a revised asylum application process that changes how people make refugee protection claims, submit supporting documents and move through government screening. The new regulations came into force on November 3, 2026, under the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.
One of the most important changes is the introduction of a unified online process. People making an inland asylum claim must first indicate their intention to seek protection through the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) portal before formally making the claim in person. Eligible claimants will also have 60 days to submit their completed application and supporting documents, with a possible one-time 30-day extension.
The changes are intended to make the process more consistent and reduce delays. However, they also introduce important deadlines that claimants must understand.
What Changed in Canada’sAasylum System on November 3?
The new regulations introduce several procedural changes:
- A single online application process for asylum claims.
- Clearer timelines for submitting applications and supporting documents.
- Time limits for key government screening activities.
- Updated rules for withdrawn and abandoned claims.
- Earlier support for vulnerable claimants.
- Continued access to work permits for eligible claimants.
- Exceptions to certain new ineligibility rules.
The reforms apply to the asylum process and should not be confused with ordinary visitor visa, work permit, study permit or permanent residence applications.
How Does the New Online Asylum Process Work?
The process depends on where a person makes the claim.
Inland Asylum Claims
People who are already in Canada and want to seek refugee protection must begin by using the IRCC Portal.
The process involves:
- Answering questions in the IRCC Portal to indicate the intention to make an asylum claim.
- Receiving an invitation for an in-person appointment with an immigration officer.
- Formally making the asylum claim during the appointment.
- Completing the required application and providing supporting documents within the applicable deadline if the claim is eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB).
The claim is not formally made simply by indicating an intention through the online portal. The in-person appointment remains an important part of the process.
Claims Made At a Port of Entry
The new regulations also aim to provide a more consistent application process for people making claims at Canadian ports of entry.
The broader objective is to reduce duplication between different claim channels and establish clearer requirements before a case proceeds to the independent IRB.
Claimants should follow the instructions given by the border or immigration officer because the steps and timing may depend on their circumstances.
What is the New 60-Day Asylum Application Deadline?
For claims eligible for referral to the IRB, claimants have 60 days to submit their completed application and required supporting documents.
A one-time extension of 30 days may be requested.
This deadline is important because the initial indication of an intention to seek asylum is not a substitute for completing the required application.
Claimants should use the available time to prepare accurate information, supporting documents and a consistent account of the reasons they are seeking protection.
Missing a deadline or failing to provide required information can affect how a claim proceeds. Anyone who is unable to meet a deadline should seek advice promptly rather than assume that additional time will be granted automatically.
What Happens Before a Claim Reaches the IRB?
The updated process also establishes timelines for key government reviews.
Before a claim is referred to the IRB, government partners may conduct checks relating to:
- Security
- Criminality
- Admissibility
- Program integrity
The purpose is to complete important screening activities before a claim is sent for a hearing.
The IRB remains the independent body responsible for deciding whether a claimant qualifies for refugee protection. IRCC’s administrative screening and the IRB’s protection decision are separate stages.
The changes are intended to reduce hearing delays by ensuring that cases referred to the Board are more complete and ready to proceed.
What Happens If an Asylum Claim is Withdrawn or Considered Abandoned?
The new regulations also clarify procedures involving withdrawn claims and claims that are not completed.
They establish rules for reinstating certain withdrawn claims and clarify how claims that are not pursued may be treated.
This matters because a claimant’s failure to attend an appointment, submit required documents or respond to procedural requests can have serious consequences.
A claimant should not assume that a withdrawn or abandoned claim can automatically be reopened. The applicable rules and individual circumstances must be reviewed.
Can Asylum Claimants Still Apply for Work Permits?
Yes. Eligible asylum claimants will continue to have access to work permits.
The updated approach makes permanent the existing method of issuing work permits to eligible claimants after they submit a complete asylum claim.
This can allow eligible individuals to work and support themselves while waiting for a decision.
However, work authorization is not automatic for every person who indicates an intention to seek asylum. Eligibility and the required application steps still apply.
People should also distinguish between having an asylum claim in progress and holding authorization to work in Canada.
Who is Exempt From Certain New Asylum Ineligibility Rules?
The new framework includes exceptions for specific groups.
These include:
- Unaccompanied minors: An exception applies to the new ineligibility rules for unaccompanied minors.
- Certain people who begin their claim within their first year in Canada: Individuals who register through the online portal and indicate their intention to seek asylum within the first year after entering Canada may qualify for an exception to the one-year eligibility restriction.
The broader eligibility rules introduced under the legislation also address claims made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada, as well as certain claims made more than 14 days after entering between ports of entry along the Canada-US border.
The precise application of these rules depends on the person’s entry history, timing and circumstances. Claimants should not assume that an exception applies without checking the official requirements.
Asylum Claims in Canada Have Declined in 2026
IRCC reported a substantial decline in asylum claims between January and August 2026.
| Comparison period | Reported change |
| January-August 2026 compared with 2025 | 52% fewer claims |
| January-August 2026 compared with 2024 | 68% fewer claims |
These figures provide context for the government’s decision to modernize the system. However, the decline in claim numbers should not be treated as proof that the new procedures caused the reduction. The figures compare claim volumes across different periods; they do not establish a single cause.
What Should Asylum Claimants Do Under the New Rules?
People considering or already pursuing a refugee protection claim should pay close attention to the following:
- Use the correct online process: Inland claimants should begin through the IRCC Portal.
- Keep track of deadlines: Eligible claimants have 60 days to submit the completed application and supporting documents, subject to the possible extension.
- Prepare consistent information: Ensure that the information submitted online and during the in-person appointment is accurate.
- Respond to government requests: Do not ignore requests for information, screening or appointments.
- Understand work permit eligibility: A pending intention to claim asylum is not the same as work authorization.
- Get advice about eligibility restrictions: Entry dates, border-crossing circumstances and exceptions can affect whether a claim is eligible for referral.
At ImmigCanada, we publish updates on Canada’s immigration and refugee protection system to help readers follow policy developments. You can also read our coverage of Canada’s new asylum rules under Bill C-12 and learn about Open Work Permit options.
Refugee protection matters are highly fact-specific. People seeking protection should consider obtaining advice from a qualified refugee and immigration lawyer or other authorized representative with relevant experience before taking action.
Frequently Asked Questions
The new regulations came into force on November 3, 2026.
Yes. Inland claimants must first indicate their intention to seek asylum through the IRCC Portal before formally making their claim in person with an officer.
Claimants whose cases are eligible for referral to the IRB have 60 days to submit the completed application and supporting documents. A one-time 30-day extension may be requested.
No. It is a possible one-time extension that must be requested. Claimants should not assume that the deadline will be extended automatically.
Eligible claimants can continue to access work permits after submitting a complete claim, subject to the applicable requirements