Canada is changing how asylum claims are submitted online, with a redesigned IRCC Portal process scheduled to begin on November 3, 2026.
Applicants with unfinished claims have until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2026, to submit using the existing form.
The transition follows the federal government’s modernization of the asylum system under the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, commonly known as Bill C-12.
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Asylum Claims: What changes on November 3
The revised portal will include additional questions and a different structure for collecting information from refugee claimants.
Information already saved in an unfinished application will generally carry over, but applicants will need to review their previous answers and respond to the new questions before submitting.
IRCC says the transition is aimed at improving the completeness of applications before eligible files are referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.
The change affects the intake stage of the process, rather than claims that have already been referred to the IRB.
Who faces the November 2 cutoff
The cutoff applies to people with an unfinished asylum application in the IRCC Portal, including some claimants who were directed by the Canada Border Services Agency to complete their applications online.
A person who submits the claim by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 2 will not need to provide additional information solely because the new portal process begins, unless IRCC later requests it.
Claims that have already been referred to the IRB do not need to be submitted again because of the portal update.
| Application status | What happens |
|---|---|
| Submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 2 | The claim remains in the existing transition stream, unless IRCC requests more information. |
| Started but unfinished by the cutoff | Saved personal information carries over, but new questions must be answered and earlier responses reviewed. |
| CBSA claim not linked to an IRCC Portal account by the cutoff | Information collected by CBSA will not be saved in the portal, and personal and family details may need to be entered again. |
| Already referred to the IRB | The claim is outside the unfinished portal-application transition and does not need to be resubmitted. |
Special warning for CBSA-referred online claims
People who began the process with CBSA should confirm that their claim is properly linked to an IRCC Portal account.
Official guidance says that claimants who link their claim but do not submit it before the cutoff will retain their personal information, although they will have to answer new questions and review earlier responses.
However, claimants who do not link the claim by 11:59 p.m. ET on November 2 risk losing the information collected by CBSA from the online portal record and may have to re-enter details about themselves and accompanying family members.
What documents claimants should prepare
The portal redesign does not eliminate the central documents normally required for an in-Canada refugee claim.
- Basis of Claim forms for each person included in the claim.
- A passport, travel document or other identity document, where available.
- A signed Use of a Representative form if someone is assisting with the application.
- Supporting evidence such as proof of entry, membership records, police documents, medical or persecution evidence, and relevant country-condition material.
Applicants should review names, dates, travel history, family information and narrative answers before submitting.
Keeping screenshots of the confirmation page and recording the confirmation number can also help establish when a submission was made.
Bill C-12 eligibility rules are separate
The November 3 portal transition should not be confused with the new asylum eligibility rules that took effect when Bill C-12 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.
Under those rules, claims made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, generally will not be referred to the IRB.
A claim made after the applicable 14-day period following irregular entry into Canada from the United States may also be ineligible for referral.
The new eligibility provisions apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025, and affected claimants may still have access to a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment.
Unaccompanied minors are covered by a specific exemption policy for these new ineligibility provisions.
Other asylum reforms remain separate
In June 2026, the government proposed additional regulatory changes intended to modernize the asylum process and support faster decisions.
Those proposals included measures related to complete and schedule-ready claims, earlier work permit access for eligible applicants and exceptions to some of the new ineligibility rules.
They should not automatically be treated as part of the November 3 portal launch because proposed regulations and confirmed portal changes are separate measures.
What asylum seekers should do now
- Sign in to the IRCC Portal and check whether the application is submitted or still a draft.
- Confirm that any CBSA-initiated claim is linked to the correct portal account.
- Review the Basis of Claim form and identity documents for missing or inconsistent information.
- Submit before the November 2 cutoff if the application is complete and ready.
- Save the confirmation page, confirmation number and submission time.
- Seek advice from a qualified Canadian immigration lawyer or licensed immigration consultant if the case is complex.
Missing the November 2 cutoff does not by itself prevent a person from making an asylum claim.
It does mean that an unfinished application will continue under the redesigned process beginning November 3, with additional questions and a mandatory review of previously saved answers.
People experiencing portal or technical problems should document the issue and contact IRCC through its official web form as soon as possible.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the deadline for submitting an unfinished asylum claim under the old IRCC Portal form?
The deadline is 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2026.
What happens if an unfinished claim is not submitted by the November 2 deadline?
Saved personal information will generally carry over, but the applicant must answer new questions and review previous responses under the redesigned process starting November 3.
What happens if a CBSA claim is not linked to an IRCC Portal account before the cutoff?
Information previously collected by CBSA will not be saved in the portal, and the claimant may need to link the claim and re-enter personal and family information.
Do asylum claims already referred to the IRB need to be submitted again?
No. Claims already referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board are not unfinished portal applications affected by the November 3 transition.
Are the new Bill C-12 eligibility rules the same as the November 3 portal changes?
No. The Bill C-12 rules concern whether certain claims can be referred to the IRB, while the November 3 changes concern the online application form and intake process.
Fact-Checked: Key transition dates, portal consequences and Bill C-12 measures were checked against official IRCC and Government of Canada information.
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and is not legal advice; asylum seekers should obtain advice from a qualified Canadian immigration professional.