New regulations under Bill C-12 took effect November 3, 2026: one online process, 60 days to file a complete claim, and work permits once it is complete.
New asylum regulations made under the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C-12) came into force on November 3, 2026, according to an IRCC news release and backgrounder published that day. This is a final rule change, not a proposal: all asylum claims, whether made inside Canada or at a port of entry, now follow a single online process, and claimants eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) have 60 days to submit a complete application, with one possible 30-day extension.
This follows the portal change we covered on October 23 (what the November 2 cut-off meant). The regulations were first published for comment in the Canada Gazette, Part I, in June 2026, and IRCC says the final version is scheduled for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on November 4, 2026.
What changed
IRCC's backgrounder lists these measures, now in effect:
- One online process for all claims: people in Canada first indicate their intent to claim through the IRCC Portal, then attend an in-person appointment with an officer to formally make the claim.
- 60 days to complete the claim: for claims eligible to be referred to the IRB, the completed application and required documents are due within 60 days. A one-time 30-day extension can be requested.
- Time limits for government checks: security, criminality, admissibility and program-integrity reviews must be finished within a set time limit before referral. IRCC's pages do not state the length of that limit.
- Withdrawn, abandoned and reinstated claims: a claim not yet referred can be withdrawn by written notice to the Minister; a claim may be deemed abandoned if required steps are not taken; the Minister may reinstate a withdrawn claim in set circumstances; inactive claims will not be referred to the IRB.
- Designated representatives: clearer rules on when a representative must be appointed for claimants under 18 or who cannot fully understand the proceedings, their duties, and when the appointment ends.
- Safe Third Country Agreement: the 14-day period under the Additional Protocol now starts when the online intent application is submitted. IRCC says this is not expected to change current practice.
Work permits for claimants
The regulations make the current approach to claimant work permits permanent: eligible claimants can receive a work permit after submitting a complete claim. IRCC notes that how quickly that happens still depends on how fast the claim process is completed, so filing a complete claim earlier is the practical lever.
Who is exempt from the new ineligibility rules
Bill C-12 added new grounds on which a claim can be found ineligible. The backgrounder names two exceptions in the regulations:
IRCC's pages do not spell out the full one-year eligibility rule or every other ineligibility ground. If you have been in Canada close to or more than a year and are considering a claim, get individual advice before relying on general summaries, including this one.
- Unaccompanied minors are exempt from the new ineligibility rules.
- People who register through the online portal and indicate their intent to seek asylum within their first year in Canada are exempt from the one-year eligibility requirement.
What it does not change
The IRB still decides refugee claims; these regulations govern how claims reach it and what claimants must file. IRCC also reports that asylum claims from January to August 2026 were 52% lower than in the same period of 2025 and 68% lower than in 2024. Those are past figures and say nothing about how any individual claim will be decided or how long it will take.
What to do next
Practical steps:
- If you indicated an intent to claim, note the date: the 60-day clock for a complete application matters, and an extension is available only once.
- Gather identity and supporting documents early; a complete claim is also what opens access to a work permit.
- If a family member under 18 or a person who cannot fully understand the process is involved, ask about a designated representative.
- For your own situation, book a consultation with a licensed consultant or speak with a lawyer or legal aid.
Processing times are estimates and no outcome is guaranteed. The authoritative text is IRCC's November 3, 2026 news release and backgrounder on canada.ca and the regulations in the Canada Gazette, Part II.
Not sure how this applies to your situation? A licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) can review your profile with you.
