On this page you will find:
- Details of Canada’s new refugee claim rules effective November 3, 2026
- How the new online asylum application process works
- The 60-day deadline and additional 30-day extension
- Changes to security screening and refugee claim eligibility
- New rules for refugee work permits and vulnerable claimants
- Answers to frequently asked questions
Canada has introduced sweeping changes to its asylum system, including a new online application process, a 60-day deadline for submitting documents and revised rules governing refugee work permits.
The changes took effect on November 3, 2026, under regulations introduced through the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, also known as Bill C-12.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the reforms will simplify applications, reduce administrative delays and ensure refugee claims are ready for hearings before reaching the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).
The changes affect people seeking refugee protection in Canada, including individuals making claims from inside the country and those arriving at Canadian ports of entry.
One of the most significant developments is the introduction of a formal two-stage application process for inland claimants. Applicants must first register their intention to seek asylum online before attending an in-person appointment to make their claim.
Eligible claimants must then meet strict deadlines for completing their applications and submitting supporting documents.
What Are Canada’s New Refugee Claim Rules?
The November 3 regulations introduce several changes to the processing of asylum applications.
| Provision | New Rule Effective November 3, 2026 |
|---|---|
| Online applications | A single online application framework applies to asylum claims |
| Inland claims | Applicants begin by registering their intention through the IRCC Portal |
| Formal refugee claim | Inland applicants attend an in-person appointment with an immigration officer |
| Document deadline | Claimants eligible for IRB referral have 60 days to submit complete applications and required documents |
| Extensions | A one-time 30-day extension is available on request |
| Security screening | Key government reviews must take place before claims reach the IRB |
| Withdrawn claims | Regulations clarify withdrawal, reinstatement and abandoned claim procedures |
| Vulnerable applicants | Clearer rules govern the appointment of designated representatives |
| Refugee work permits | Existing procedures are formalized for eligible claimants |
| Eligibility exceptions | New provisions protect certain unaccompanied minors and applicants affected by the one-year rule |
IRCC says the changes will create a more consistent process while preventing incomplete applications from contributing to the IRB’s backlog.
How Does The New Online Refugee Application Process Work?
Under the revised system, people making refugee claims from inside Canada must follow a new application procedure.
The process involves several stages.
Step 1 – Register An Intention To Claim Asylum
An individual seeking protection from inside Canada must first use the IRCC Portal to answer questions indicating their intention to make a refugee claim.
This initial step starts the application process but does not, by itself, complete the formal claim.
Step 2 – Attend An In-Person Appointment
After completing the initial online registration, the applicant receives an invitation to attend an appointment with an immigration officer.
The applicant formally makes the refugee claim during this appointment.
The officer assesses whether the claim meets the requirements for referral to the IRB.
Step 3 – Submit A Complete Application
Claimants whose applications are eligible for referral must submit their completed application and required supporting documents within the prescribed 60-day period.
The documents provide the information needed to assess the claim and prepare it for consideration by the IRB.
Step 4 – Complete Government Screening
Government agencies conduct security, criminality, admissibility and program integrity reviews before the claim is referred to the IRB.
Step 5 – Referral To The IRB
Once the required application and review stages have been completed, eligible claims can proceed to the IRB.
The independent tribunal determines whether the applicant qualifies for refugee protection under Canadian law.
What Is The New 60-Day Refugee Claim Deadline?
The regulations establish a 60-day period for eligible refugee claimants to submit completed applications and supporting documents.
Previously, differences between application procedures and referral arrangements could create administrative complications and delays.
Under the new framework, claimants have a defined period to provide the information needed to advance their cases.
Applicants who need more time can request a one-time extension of 30 days.
This means eligible individuals may have up to 90 days to complete the required submissions if they obtain the extension.
However, the additional time is not automatic. Applicants must request it.
Importantly, the 60-day period is a deadline for completing an eligible claim, not a requirement that every person seeking asylum must make their initial claim within 60 days of entering Canada.
Separate eligibility restrictions, including the one-year rule introduced under Bill C-12, continue to apply.
The government’s November 3 backgrounder confirms the 60-day requirement but does not specify the precise event that starts the period for every claimant. Applicants should follow the deadline provided by IRCC in their individual case.
Canada Changes Security Screening Before Refugee Hearings
Another significant reform concerns when government agencies complete background checks.
Under the revised system, key security and admissibility reviews must be completed before a claim is referred to the IRB.
These reviews cover:
- National security concerns
- Criminality
- Immigration admissibility
- Program integrity
The regulations also establish time limits for government review activities.
Previously, claims could reach the IRB before all the necessary government assessments were finished.
This sometimes contributed to delayed hearings and cases that could not proceed as scheduled.
IRCC says completing the reviews earlier should reduce these interruptions and help the IRB concentrate on claims ready for a decision.
The reforms do not remove the IRB’s responsibility to independently determine whether applicants qualify for refugee protection.
New Rules For Withdrawn And Abandoned Refugee Claims
The regulations also clarify what happens when a refugee claim is withdrawn or an applicant fails to continue the process.
A claimant whose case has not yet been referred to the IRB can withdraw it by notifying the immigration minister in writing.
A claim may be considered abandoned when an applicant fails to take the necessary steps to pursue it.
The new rules explain the circumstances in which a claim may continue after the IRB determines that it has not been abandoned.
They also establish when the minister can reinstate a withdrawn claim.
The government says these measures will prevent inactive applications from remaining in the system unnecessarily.
What Happens To Refugee Work Permits?
The regulations also address access to employment for people awaiting decisions on their refugee claims.
Under the revised framework, eligible applicants can continue to receive work permits after submitting a complete claim.
The changes make the existing approach to issuing refugee work permits permanent.
The timing of a permit will continue to depend partly on how quickly an applicant completes the required claim process.
This is particularly important because asylum decisions can take considerable time, leaving applicants dependent on financial assistance if they cannot work.
Eligible claimants may obtain authorization to enter the Canadian labour market and support themselves while awaiting a decision.
However, submitting an initial online declaration of intent to claim asylum does not automatically authorize someone to work.
Applicants must meet the applicable requirements and receive the necessary authorization.
More information about employment authorization is available through Canada’s work permit system.
Additional Protections For Vulnerable Refugee Claimants
The November 3 reforms introduce clearer requirements for supporting vulnerable asylum applicants.
Some claimants need additional assistance because of their age or their ability to understand immigration proceedings.
This includes children under 18 and individuals who cannot fully understand the process.
The regulations clarify:
- When authorities must appoint a designated representative
- The responsibilities of those representatives
- The requirements representatives must meet
- When their appointments end
Designated representatives help protect the interests of vulnerable applicants during immigration proceedings.
IRCC says the clearer requirements should reduce delays and ensure appropriate support is available when needed.
How Do The New Rules Affect Refugee Claim Eligibility?
The regulations also clarify exceptions to eligibility restrictions introduced under Bill C-12.
The legislation, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026, introduced significant restrictions on who can have an asylum claim referred to the IRB.
These include a one-year eligibility rule for people claiming asylum more than one year after their first entry into Canada following June 24, 2020.
Another restriction affects individuals who cross the Canada–United States land border between official ports of entry and wait more than 14 days before making a claim.
These restrictions apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025.
The November 3 regulations introduce an exception for unaccompanied minors.
They also clarify that applicants who register their intention to seek asylum through the online portal within their first year in Canada can qualify for an exception to the one-year restriction.
This matters because the new application procedure separates the initial online declaration from the formal in-person claim.
Without clarification, some applicants could risk crossing the one-year eligibility threshold while waiting to complete the subsequent stages.
The regulations also clarify how the 14-day period under the Safe Third Country Agreement’s Additional Protocol applies to the new process.
That period begins when an individual submits the online application indicating their intention to claim asylum.
The government says the underlying operation of the agreement remains unchanged.
Further information about the legislative reforms is available in our coverage of Bill C-12 becoming law.
Why Has Canada Changed Its Asylum System?
The federal government says the reforms respond to pressures created by large numbers of refugee claims and lengthy processing times.
According to IRCC, asylum claims submitted between January and August 2026 fell by 52 per cent compared with the same period in 2025.
Claims were also 68 per cent lower than during the corresponding period in 2024.
Despite the decline, the government says further improvements are needed to make the asylum system more efficient.
The new regulations aim to reduce administrative duplication, improve the quality of applications reaching the IRB and establish more predictable processing requirements.
However, the broader eligibility restrictions introduced through Bill C-12 have attracted criticism from refugee advocates concerned that some people with legitimate protection needs could lose access to a full IRB hearing.
For applicants, the November 3 changes make it especially important to understand the distinction between registering an intention to claim asylum, formally making a claim and completing the supporting documentation.
Missing deadlines or failing to provide required information could prevent an application from progressing as expected.
Frequently Asked Questions
When Did Canada’s New Refugee Claim Rules Take Effect?
Canada’s new asylum regulations came into force on November 3, 2026. They introduce a unified online application framework, clearer documentation deadlines and revised screening procedures. The changes also address refugee work permits, vulnerable applicants and exceptions to eligibility restrictions introduced under Bill C-12 earlier in the year.
How Long Do Refugee Claimants Have To Submit Their Documents?
Applicants whose refugee claims are eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board generally have 60 days to submit completed applications and required documents. They can request one additional 30-day period if necessary. Applicants should follow the specific instructions and deadline issued by IRCC for their claim.
Can Refugee Claimants Work While Waiting For A Decision?
Eligible refugee claimants can receive work permits while awaiting decisions on their applications. The November 3 regulations formalize the existing approach and allow eligible applicants to obtain permits after submitting complete claims. However, applicants cannot automatically begin working simply because they have registered an intention to seek asylum.
Do Refugee Claimants Still Need To Attend An In-Person Appointment?
Yes. Under the new procedure, individuals seeking asylum from inside Canada begin by registering their intention through the IRCC Portal. They must then attend an in-person appointment with an immigration officer to formally make their claim. The initial online registration alone does not complete the refugee claim process.
Does The New 60-Day Deadline Replace Canada’s One-Year Asylum Rule?
No. The 60-day deadline concerns completing applications and submitting documents for eligible claims. The separate one-year eligibility restriction introduced under Bill C-12 remains in effect. However, the November 3 regulations provide an exception for individuals who register their intention to claim asylum online within their first year in Canada.