Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent on March 26, 2026. It adds two rules that decide whether a refugee claim is referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) for a hearing.
The two eligibility rules
- One-year rule: a claim made more than one year after the person’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020 will not be referred to the IRB. This applies even if the person has left Canada and come back since that first entry.
- 14-day rule: a claim by a person who entered Canada between ports of entry along the land border with the United States will not be referred to the IRB if it is made after 14 days.
Both rules apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025.
If a claim is not eligible
A person affected by these rules can still apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), which looks at the risk of persecution, torture or other harm if they are returned. The Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States has not changed. The government has said officers will receive guidance to consider the individual circumstances of unaccompanied minors.
More changes are coming
The government has said further changes to the asylum process will be made by regulation, including simplified online applications and referring only complete claims to the IRB.
Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, news release, March 26, 2026
This update is general information only and is not legal advice. Rules change and every case is different. Check the official source or contact ProSeek Legal Services about your situation. Reviewed October 10, 2026.