New asylum rules in Canada: One year or 14 days could change the future of a claim

By Tahani Elghazaly
Published April 14, 2026

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Canada has entered a new phase in how it handles some asylum claims after Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent on March 26, 2026. The federal government says the changes are designed to reduce pressure on the asylum system, close loopholes, and make processing more efficient.

Under the new rules, an asylum claim made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020 may not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, even if the person later left Canada and returned. A claim may also not be referred if someone entered Canada irregularly between official land border crossings from the United States and made the claim after more than 14 days.

The government says the rules are not intended to apply to unaccompanied minors. People affected by the new requirements would still have access to a pre-removal risk assessment, known as PRRA, to help prevent removal to a country where they may face persecution, torture, or other serious harm. Ottawa also says there is no change to the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

For newcomers and people seeking protection, the message is clear: timing may now be decisive. The changes are especially important for people who entered Canada years ago and have not yet claimed asylum, or for those who cross from the United States between official ports of entry. Anyone who may be affected should seek qualified legal advice quickly, because individual facts can change the legal path of a claim.