Canada Implements 60-Day Asylum Claim Deadline

Canada has reformed its asylum application process, mandating that claimants submit completed applications and supporting documents within 60 days through a single online portal. The changes, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab on November 3, 2026, aim to expedite refugee claim processing and reduce the backlog of pending decisions.

Asylum seekers must first complete an online questionnaire and attend an in-person appointment with an immigration officer. Once a claim is deemed eligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB), claimants have 60 days to submit their completed application.

A single 30-day extension is available upon request. The reforms also ensure that eligible asylum seekers can access work permits while their claims are assessed.

Additional protections are provided for unaccompanied minors and vulnerable individuals, with clearer rules for appointing designated representatives. The reforms clarify the application of the Canada-United States Safe Third Country Agreement, specifying that the 14-day period begins upon submission of the online intention-to-claim application.