Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that its online asylum claim portal will be replaced on 3 November 2026, and claimants with unfinished applications must submit by 11:59 p.m. ET on 2 November to avoid the new requirements.

The redesign, part of the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act (Bill C‑12) that received Royal Assent on 26 March 2026, adds additional questions not present in the current form.

Applicants who miss the 2 November deadline and submit on or after 3 November will be required to answer the new questions and verify all previously saved information in the updated format.

IRCC confirmed that personal data already entered into an unfinished claim will be automatically transferred to the new system, but claimants must review every prior response alongside the new items before final submission.

Those who complete and submit their applications by the 2 November deadline will not be asked for additional information solely because of the portal transition, unless IRCC issues a specific request.

Claims already referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) are excluded from the unfinished‑application category and do not need to be resubmitted under the new portal.

IRCC’s guidance advises claimants to ensure they have access to their IRCC Portal account, saved draft, reference details, all previously entered personal information, and any supporting documents ready before the cutoff.

Applicants should also verify whether their case has already been referred to the IRB, as those applications are not subject to the portal update.