Canada Implements New Asylum Eligibility Rules for 2025

The Canadian government has announced two new eligibility requirements for asylum seekers as part of broader measures under Bill C-12, aimed at strengthening the immigration system and borders. These conditions apply to all asylum claims made on or after 3 June 2025.

The first condition states that asylum claims made more than one year after a person's first entry into Canada after 24 June 2020 will not be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB). The second condition specifies that claims from individuals who crossed into Canada between official ports of entry along the Canada–US land border and filed their claim after 14 days of crossing will also not be referred to the IRB.

The government indicated that these changes are intended to alleviate pressure on the asylum system. Additional guidance for unaccompanied minors and access to a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA) remain available for those whose claims are not referred to the IRB.

The updates do not alter the existing Safe Third Country Agreement between Canada and the United States.