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Canada has introduced six new asylum rules designed to speed up refugee applications, decrease delays, and quicken the processing of cases under the recently passed Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab revealed the suggested changes on June 19, 2026, after Bill C-12 was passed and came into effect on March 26, 2026. The initiatives include more rigorous submission deadlines, quicker work permit access for applicants, and updated protocols for handling inactive cases.

According to the new regulations, individuals seeking asylum must provide all necessary application paperwork within 60 days, with a single additional extension of up to 30 days allowed under specific conditions. The government will also need to finish security and eligibility checks before cases are sent to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

The changes implement a new pre-referral withdrawal procedure that enables officials to dismiss cases if applicants do not submit necessary paperwork or show up for scheduled tests. Nevertheless, individuals filing claims will have a chance to supply the missing details prior to a conclusive determination.

Canada also intends to enhance safeguards for at-risk asylum applicants by assigning specific advocates at an earlier stage in the process for children and those who cannot fully comprehend the procedures.

A significant alteration will enable qualified applicants to secure work permits earlier following their application submissions, allowing them to sustain themselves while waiting for decisions and decreasing reliance on social aid programs.

The administration has also suggested exceptions to the new ineligibility guidelines for unaccompanied children and people who indicated their desire to seek asylum online prior to entering Canada.

As per Canadian officials, the reforms will be facilitated by a new digital application system that integrates identity documents, claim details, and declarations into one submission. This updated process supersedes the existing multi-step system that involves both the Canada Border Services Agency and the Refugee Protection Division.

The suggested rules also involve changes to IRB processes, mandating the submission of evidence at an earlier stage, removing fax as a means of communication, and introducing a new “basis of claim information” form instead of the previous one.

The adjustments occur as applications for asylum remain on the decrease. Official data indicates that claims dropped by 42% from January to April 2026 in comparison to the same months in 2025, and by 63% when measured against 2024.

Authorities state that the changes aim to tackle a backlog of around 298,200 unresolved asylum applications and the typical processing duration of 25 months by demanding additional details from the start and speeding up evaluations.

A 30-day public consultation phase has started and will continue until July 20, 2026. Members of the public in Canada can provide their comments via the Canada Gazette website, email, or postal mail before the rules are finalized later this year.