Claiming asylum at the border when you enter Canada
Canada offers asylum (legally known as refugee protection) to people entering Canada who can prove they meet the definition of a Convention refugee or person in need of protection.
If you are not a refugee but want to stay in Canada, learn what options are available.
Changes to the asylum application start Nov 3, 2026
Our ongoing efforts to modernise the asylum process will affect how asylum claims are submitted in the IRCC Portal.
If you link your claim in the IRCC Portal but don’t submit it by Nov 3
If you make a claim to the CBSA and link your claim to a portal account but do not submit it before 11:59 pm ET on November 2, 2026:
- you’ll need to answer new questions and review old ones
- your personal information will be saved
If you don’t link your claim to a Portal account
If the CBSA tells you to complete your claim online but you don’t link your claim to a portal account by 11:59pm ET on November 2, 2026, information they collected won’t be saved.
You’ll need to link your claim and enter details about you and any family again.
If you submit your asylum claim before Nov 3
If you link your portal account and submit your asylum claim in the IRCC Portal before 11:59pm ET on November 2, 2026, you do not need to provide new information unless we ask.Features
Get an orientation booklet(opens in a new tab)
This third-party illustrated booklet gives you an easy-to-read overview of the refugee protection process in Canada.
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