The Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced sweeping changes to the country’s immigration and asylum framework following the passage of Bill C-12, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026.
The new law introduces stricter eligibility rules for asylum seekers, reforms to streamline processing, expanded domestic information-sharing powers, and broader authority for managing immigration documents.
Under the revised asylum criteria, claims made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, will no longer be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB). Similarly, individuals who cross into Canada between official border points along the Canada–US land border and file claims after 14 days will also be deemed ineligible for referral.
Authorities say the measures are aimed at reducing pressure on the asylum system, closing loopholes, and discouraging misuse of refugee pathways as alternatives to regular immigration channels. However, affected individuals will still be eligible for a pre-removal risk assessment to ensure they are not returned to situations involving persecution or harm.
The government confirmed there are no changes to the Safe Third Country Agreement, which continues to govern asylum claims at official border crossings.
Beyond eligibility, the law sets out plans to modernise the asylum process by simplifying applications, reducing duplication, and ensuring only complete, “schedule-ready” cases are referred for adjudication. Claims may also be deemed abandoned if applicants voluntarily return to their country of origin before a decision is reached.
The reforms further empower authorities to remove inactive cases, accelerate voluntary departures, and provide additional support for vulnerable individuals, including minors, through appointed representatives during immigration proceedings.
In a significant shift, IRCC now has explicit legal authority to share personal data with federal, provincial, and territorial partners under formal agreements. Officials say the move will enhance coordination across government programmes while maintaining safeguards to protect applicants’ privacy and legal rights.
The legislation also grants the government new powers to manage immigration documents such as visas, work permits, and study permits.
Under these provisions, authorities may cancel, suspend, or amend groups of documents, or pause application processing, in response to public interest concerns including fraud, public health, or national security.
Such decisions must be approved by the Governor in Council and published in the official gazette, ensuring oversight and accountability.
Officials say the reforms are designed to create a more efficient, secure, and responsive immigration system, as Canada navigates rising global migration pressures and evolving border management challenges.
