Canada's immigration department will implement a new online process for asylum claims starting November 3, 2026. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, also known as IRCC, announced this change, which will affect claimants differently based on their application status just before the cutover date.

The new process takes effect at 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2026. IRCC communicated this information on October 1, 2026, through updates to government web pages titled "Claiming asylum from within Canada" and "Claiming asylum at the border when you enter Canada."

Claimants who started an in Canada online claim but did not submit it will need to answer new questions and review previous responses. Those who submitted an in Canada online claim will not be affected. For claims made at the border, those not linked to an IRCC Portal account will need to re enter personal and family details after linking their claim.

Claims linked in the IRCC Portal but not submitted will require answering new questions and reviewing old responses. Claims submitted in the IRCC Portal will not be impacted. Claimants who submit their existing claims before the cutover will not need to provide additional information unless requested by IRCC.

Since 2022, a federal public policy has allowed referred asylum claimants to apply for an open work permit while awaiting their hearing at the Immigration and Refugee Board, or IRB. On June 19, 2026, Canada initiated steps to make this early access permanent through amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

Additionally, on March 26, 2026, the federal government broadened access to work permits for claimants awaiting the pre removal risk assessment process after being deemed ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board.

Eligible asylum claims are referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a decision. If a claim is rejected or deemed ineligible for referral to the Board, individuals can apply for a pre removal risk assessment, often their final opportunity to seek protection in Canada.

Successful applicants through the Board or the assessment process are typically granted protected person status, allowing them to remain in Canada indefinitely. Protected persons can then apply for Canadian permanent residence, provided they do not have inadmissibility grounds. Those with criminal records from outside Canada can apply for individual rehabilitation before seeking permanent residence.

After residing in Canada for at least 1,095 days, permanent residents become eligible to apply for Canadian citizenship. A permanent resident can count up to 365 half days for time spent in Canada with valid temporary resident status.