OTTAWA, CANADA — Canada has introduced new rules to its asylum system. The changes include a single online application process and a 60-day deadline for claimants to submit completed applications and supporting documents.
The changes were published on Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s website on Tuesday. They take effect immediately.
The department said the aim is to improve the processing of refugee claims and reduce delays in decisions.
Single Online Application
Under the new process, people seeking asylum from within Canada will first answer questions on the department’s online portal. This will indicate their intention to make a claim.
They will subsequently be invited to an in-person appointment with an immigration officer. There, they will formally submit their claims.
“For claims eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board, claimants will have 60 days to submit their completed application and required documents. They will have a one-time extension of 30 days on request,” IRCC said.
The department said the new process would reduce duplication and administrative work. It would also allow the immigration minister to review claimants’ information and documents before their cases are referred to the board.
Timelines for Reviews
The reforms also establish time limits for government reviews. These relate to security, criminality, admissibility, and programme integrity before claims are referred for hearings.
The department said completing the reviews beforehand would help ensure that only cases ready for hearings are sent to the board. This would reduce delays caused by incomplete or inactive files.
New Rules on Withdrawn Claims
The new regulations also clarify the procedures for withdrawn claims. They also cover cases that the board determines have not been abandoned.
They specify what claimants must do to continue pursuing their cases. They also outline the circumstances under which the minister may reinstate a withdrawn claim.
The changes further provide additional safeguards for vulnerable claimants. These include minors and people who may not fully understand asylum proceedings.
They clarify when designated representatives must be appointed and their responsibilities. They also specify the conditions under which their appointments end.
Work Permit Support
On work permits, the department said eligible asylum seekers would continue to have access to permits after submitting complete claims. This makes permanent the existing approach.
This would allow eligible claimants to work and support themselves while awaiting decisions on their applications.
The regulations also provide exceptions to the new ineligibility rules. These apply to unaccompanied minors and people who register their intention to seek asylum through the online portal within their first year in Canada.
Safe Third Country Agreement
The department said the changes would not alter how the Canada–United States Safe Third Country Agreement is applied. But they would clarify how its provisions operate under the new application process.
Under the clarification, the 14-day period in the agreement’s Additional Protocol will begin when an individual submits an online application indicating an intention to seek asylum.
The department also changed the requirement for claimants relying on an eligible family member in Canada. Rather than requiring that the family member’s claim has already been referred to the board, it will be sufficient for the claim to have been found eligible for referral.
Background
The reforms form part of Canada’s broader efforts to tighten and modernise its immigration and asylum systems.
In March 2026, the country passed the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, also known as Bill C-12. The bill introduced changes to asylum eligibility, information-sharing, and immigration procedures.
Among the eligibility restrictions, claims made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada may be ruled ineligible for referral to the refugee board. The rule applies to people who first entered the country after June 24, 2020.
Minister’s Statement
Announcing the changes on Tuesday, Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the reforms would provide greater certainty for claimants. She said they would also help the country maintain an orderly asylum system.
The department said asylum claims submitted in Canada fell by 52 per cent between January and August 2026 compared with the same period in 2025. They also fell by 68 per cent compared with the corresponding period in 2024.
What This Means
The new rules are significant for asylum seekers in Canada. They introduce stricter timelines and a more streamlined process.
For claimants, the 60-day deadline requires prompt action. It also places a premium on proper documentation.
What Happens Next
The new rules are now in effect. Asylum claimants will need to comply with the new timelines.
For now, the focus is on implementation. The coming months will reveal how the changes affect the processing of asylum claims.
