Canada to Launch New Asylum Claim Process on November 3

Canada will introduce a new online asylum claim process on November 3, 2026, changing what some applicants must do in the IRCC Portal. The effect will depend on whether a claim has been started, linked or fully submitted before 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2.

Unfinished In-Canada Claims Will Need Updates

For people making asylum claims from inside Canada, unfinished applications will move into the updated system. Applicants who started a claim but did not submit it before the deadline will need to answer new questions and review information they previously entered. Their personal information will remain saved.

People who submit their claim before the deadline will not need to provide additional information unless Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada specifically asks for it.

Border Claimants Face Different Requirements

The rules are slightly different for claims made at the border. If a claimant has linked their case to an IRCC Portal account but has not submitted it before the cutover, they will also need to answer the new questions and review their previous responses.

If a border claimant has not linked the claim to a portal account by the deadline, information collected earlier will not be saved in the same way. They will need to link the claim and enter details about themselves and their family again. Those who complete and submit their claim before the deadline will generally not be affected.

Who Can Receive Asylum Protection?

The federal government says asylum protection is available to people who can show that they meet the legal definition of a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection.

Convention refugees may face persecution because of factors such as race, religion, nationality, political opinion or membership in a particular social group. A person in need of protection may face dangers such as torture, cruel treatment or a serious risk to life if returned to their home country.

If an asylum claim is found eligible, it is referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, which decides whether protection should be granted.

Work Permits While Claims Are Processed

Canada also allows many asylum claimants to seek permission to work while their cases are being processed. A temporary public policy introduced in November 2022 made it possible for certain eligible claimants to receive open work permits before their claims are formally referred to the Refugee Protection Division.

In March 2026, the government also introduced measures to help some people whose asylum claims are ineligible for referral to the IRB obtain or keep work permits while they wait for possible access to a pre-removal risk assessment.

Path From Protection to Permanent Residence

A PRRA can be an important final protection step for some people facing removal. If a person receives a positive decision through the IRB or a PRRA, they may become a protected person and can generally apply for permanent residence, subject to admissibility rules.

Protected persons who later become permanent residents may eventually qualify for Canadian citizenship. Applicants generally need 1,095 days of physical presence during the five-year eligibility period. Some time spent in Canada before becoming a permanent resident can count as half-days, up to a maximum credit of 365 days.