New federal asylum rules took effect November 3, 2026, introducing a single online process, new eligibility rules and firm timelines for eligible claims.
What was announced
IRCC announced that new regulations modernizing Canada's asylum process took effect on November 3, 2026. People seeking asylum from inside Canada now begin online by indicating their intention to claim in the IRCC Portal, then attend an in-person appointment with an officer to formally make the claim. For an eligible claim referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, the claimant has 60 days to submit the completed application and required documents, with one extension of up to 30 days available on request.
The updated framework includes two additional ineligibility rules for claims started after June 2, 2025. A claim may be ineligible if it is made more than one year after the person's first entry to Canada after June 24, 2020, or more than 14 days after the person entered Canada between official ports of entry along the Canada–United States border. IRCC identifies exceptions for unaccompanied minors and for people who indicate through the online portal within their first year in Canada that they intend to seek asylum.
The regulations also establish timelines for security, criminality, admissibility and program-integrity reviews before referral to the IRB; clarify withdrawn, reinstated and potentially abandoned claims; and strengthen support for vulnerable claimants through designated representatives. Eligible claimants may continue to access work permits after submitting a complete claim, although timing depends on how quickly the claim process is completed.
What this may mean for applicants
The date and manner of every entry to Canada, the date the claimant first indicates an intention to claim, and each document deadline can now have significant consequences. Claimants should preserve their travel and entry records, follow portal and appointment instructions carefully, submit complete and consistent documents on time, and obtain individual advice promptly if a deadline, previous entry or Canada–US border crossing may affect eligibility.