Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has reported that the existing online asylum claim application will be replaced by a new online application process, expected to come into effect on November 3, 2026, as part of the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (SCISBA), which received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.

IRCC has reported the following: It has now been confirmed that for claims made to the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), no information collected by the CBSA officer will be lost during the transition for claimants who do not link their application to their IRCC Portal account by 11:59PM ET on November 2, 2026.

IRCC has also outlined “Scenarios” to assist with the transition:

Claim being made online to IRCC:

1. If the person submitted their application to start an inland claim in the IRCC Portal before 11:59pm ET on November 2, 2026, they do not need to provide new information unless asked. IRCC will contact them about next steps.
2. If the person has an inland application in progress (but not submitted) in the IRCC Portal at 11:59pm ET on November 2, 2026, they will need to complete the new Refugee Claim Application. Their information previously saved will be kept, but they will need to review their previous responses and will be prompted to answer new or unanswered questions.

Claim made to the CBSA and already referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB) – persons who were told to complete their application using the IRCC Portal and to submit their Basis of Claim form to the IRB within 45 days:

1. If the person linked their application to their IRCC portal account and submitted the application in the IRCC Portal before 11:59pm ET on November 2, 2026, they will not be prompted to complete the new Refugee Claim Application and do not need to provide new information in the IRCC Portal.
2. If the person has not linked their application to their IRCC portal account, or has linked their application but has not submitted the application before 11:59 pm ET, November 2, 2026, they will be prompted to complete the new Refugee Claim Application. Their saved information will be kept, but they will need to review their previous responses and must answer any new or unanswered questions.

Fillmore Riley’s Immigration & Global Mobility Practice

If you would like assistance determining how the transition to IRCC’s new online asylum claim process affects your claim, or support preparing your Refugee Claim Application and related submissions, our firm can help guide you through the process with up-to-date legal insight, detailed drafting assistance, and personalized practical advice.

Immigration policies and procedures are subject to change. IRCC may update its transition guidance, and the outcome of any refugee claim remains subject to the determination of the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada.