Since November 3, 2026, refugee claims made in Canada go through a new version of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) Portal. The questions and the way to submit have changed. Here is what this means for you.
You submitted before November 3
If you submitted your claim in the Portal before 11:59 p.m. (Eastern) on November 2, 2026, you do not need to provide anything new unless IRCC asks you to. Keep an eye on your account and your email.
You started but did not submit
The information you entered is saved. When you go back, you will have to answer the new questions and review the old ones. Read everything again carefully: an answer that is no longer accurate can be held against you later.
You made your claim at the border
If you claimed at a port of entry with the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and your claim is not yet linked to a Portal account, you will have to link it and answer the new questions. You will need your application number (starting with the letter "L"), your unique client identifier (UCI) and your date of birth.
Watch the BOC deadline. For a claim made at a port of entry, the Basis of Claim (BOC) Form must be provided to the Refugee Protection Division within 45 days after the claim is referred to the Board. This deadline is not new and did not change on November 3.
Documents to prepare
- the BOC Form, for each family member making a claim;
- a copy of your passport or other identity document (claims made inside Canada);
- for border claims, the acknowledgement of claim or the refugee protection claimant document issued by the CBSA;
- Form IMM 5476 if a lawyer or other representative is helping you.
If you cannot use the Portal for accessibility reasons, you can ask to submit on paper.
What to watch next
In June 2026, the government published proposed regulations that would reform the whole asylum process, with different deadlines. They were not in force when this article was published. We will update this page if they are adopted.
Your BOC narrative remains the heart of your case. It is what the member will compare with your answers at the hearing, so it deserves careful preparation from the start.