Canada's New Refugee Claim Process: What Changes in November 2026, and What Happens to Existing Claims?
Last Updated: October 11, 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced changes to the online refugee claim submission process, effective November 3, 2026.
At the same time, the Government of Canada has proposed significant amendments to the refugee claim process, including new deadlines for completing applications and submitting supporting evidence to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD).
These changes have raised important questions, particularly among individuals who have already submitted their refugee claims or whose applications have been referred to the RPD.
Important: The November 3 changes to the IRCC Portal have been confirmed. However, the proposed 60-day application deadline and 30-day evidence submission deadline are separate regulatory amendments. As of October 11, 2026, their final implementation date has not been confirmed.
Below, we explain what is changing, what remains unchanged, and how these developments may affect new and existing refugee claims.
1. What Is Changing for New Refugee Claims?
Under the proposed regulatory amendments, Canada intends to introduce a more integrated refugee claim application process.
Currently, refugee claimants must provide information about their identity, immigration history, background, and reasons for seeking protection, including information contained in the Basis of Claim (BOC) form.
Under the proposed system, the information normally provided through the BOC would become part of a single, integrated application rather than requiring a separate BOC form through the previous process.
The purpose is to simplify the application process, reduce duplication, and provide immigration authorities with more complete information before referral to the RPD.
2. What Does the Proposed 60-Day Deadline Mean?
One of the most significant proposed amendments concerns the deadline for completing a refugee claim application.
Under proposed section 159.8 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), a claimant would have 60 calendar days to complete the required application information and documentation after an immigration officer determines that the claim is eligible for referral to the RPD.
The 60-day period would begin on the day following the eligibility determination, not simply when the claimant creates an online account or starts entering information into the IRCC Portal.
Can the 60-day deadline be extended?
Yes. Under the proposed regulation:
A claimant may request an extension before the original 60-day deadline expires.
A one-time extension of 30 calendar days would be available when properly requested.
Additional extensions or suspension of the deadline may be permitted where required by fairness and natural justice considerations.
With the standard extension, the claimant could therefore have up to 90 calendar days to complete the application.
Important distinction: This 60-day deadline concerns completion of the refugee claim application. It is not the same as the deadline for submitting supporting evidence to the RPD.
3. Will the Deadline for Submitting Evidence to the RPD Change?
Yes, under the proposed amendments.
Under the current RPD Rules, claimants are generally required to submit documentary evidence at least 10 calendar days before their refugee hearing, subject to applicable exceptions and specific directions.
The proposed amendments would introduce a different timeline for personal supporting evidence.
For refugee claims referred to the RPD after the new regulations take effect, claimants would generally be required to submit their personal supporting evidence within 30 calendar days after the referral date.
This may include:
Documents supporting allegations of persecution, threats, or harm.
Witness statements and affidavits.
Relevant correspondence, messages, photographs, and other records.
Medical or psychological reports supporting the claim.
Other personal documentation relevant to the claimant's fear of returning to their country of origin.
The proposed rules distinguish between personal supporting evidence and general country-condition documentation.
Under the proposed framework, the general deadline for submitting country-condition documents would remain 10 calendar days before the hearing.
Where personal evidence becomes available after the proposed 30-day deadline, the claimant may need to request permission from the RPD to submit late evidence.
The RPD would determine whether that evidence may be accepted under the applicable rules.
4. What Happens If a Refugee Claim Has Already Been Referred to the RPD?
This is particularly important for individuals who have already submitted their refugee claims and are waiting for a hearing.
The proposed amendments contain transitional provisions intended to address claims referred to the RPD before the new regulations come into force.
Specifically, section 30(2) of the proposed transitional provisions preserves the application of the previous evidence submission deadline under Rule 34(3)(a) for claims referred before the new rules take effect.
What does this mean in practice?
If your refugee claim was already referred to the RPD before the effective date of the new regulations, the existing general evidence submission deadline would continue to apply.
In other words, you would generally still be permitted to submit your supporting documentary evidence at least 10 calendar days before your RPD hearing, rather than being subject to the proposed new 30-day deadline.
Example
Suppose a refugee claim was referred to the RPD in September 2026, but the claimant has not yet received a hearing date.
Under the proposed transitional provisions, that claimant would not be required to submit all personal supporting evidence immediately or within 30 days of the previous referral simply because the new rules come into force.
Instead, the existing evidence submission deadline would continue to apply.
However, claimants must always comply with any specific instructions, deadlines, or directions issued by the RPD in their individual cases.
It is also important to understand that the transitional protection described here relates specifically to the evidence submission deadline. It does not necessarily exempt previously referred claims from every other procedural or administrative change.
5. What If the Refugee Claim Was Submitted to IRCC but Has Not Yet Been Referred to the RPD?
This is an important distinction.
Submitting a refugee claim to IRCC is not the same as having the claim referred to the RPD.
IRCC has confirmed that applicants who successfully submit their refugee claim through the existing portal by 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 2, 2026, will not need to provide additional information solely because of the portal transition, unless IRCC specifically requests it.
However, where an application has been submitted but eligibility has not yet been determined and the claim has not been referred to the RPD, the situation may be different.
Under the proposed transitional provisions, the applicable evidence submission deadline depends on when the claim is actually referred to the RPD, rather than solely on when the claimant initially submitted the application to IRCC.
Therefore, applicants should not assume that submitting a refugee claim before November 3 automatically guarantees that every previous procedural deadline will apply to their case.
The actual referral date and the commencement date of the new regulations will be important in determining which rules apply.
6. What If You Started Your Application but Have Not Submitted It?
If you started an application in the IRCC Portal before November 3, 2026, but did not submit it by the November 2 deadline, you will need to follow the updated portal requirements.
According to IRCC:
Previously entered personal information will be saved.
Applicants will need to answer additional questions introduced through the updated process.
Applicants should carefully review their existing answers before submitting the application.
Individuals who initiated their claims at a Canadian port of entry through the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) may also be affected.
If a border claim has not been linked to the IRCC Portal before the applicable transition deadline, the claimant may need to re-enter information previously collected by CBSA.
7. Frequently Asked Questions
I have already been referred to the RPD. Do I need to submit my evidence immediately?
No. Under the current rules and the proposed transitional provisions, claims referred before the new regulations take effect would generally continue to follow the existing deadline of 10 calendar days before the hearing, unless the RPD has issued specific directions requiring otherwise.
Does the proposed 30-day deadline begin when I submit my claim to IRCC?
No. The proposed 30-day evidence submission deadline would begin after the claim is referred to the RPD. It is different from the proposed 60-day application completion period.
What if I receive important supporting evidence after the deadline?
Late evidence may still be considered, but additional procedural requirements may apply. The claimant may need to submit a late disclosure application and explain why the evidence could not be provided earlier. Acceptance is not automatic.
Will the new rules make it harder to qualify for refugee protection?
The procedural changes discussed in this article primarily concern application requirements, evidence submission deadlines, and administrative processes.
The legal criteria for refugee protection under sections 96 and 97 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) remain separate from these procedural requirements.
I have not received a hearing date yet. Should I submit my supporting documents now?
If your claim was already referred to the RPD before the new regulations take effect, the proposed transitional provisions preserve the existing general evidence submission deadline.
Nevertheless, claimants should not unnecessarily delay preparing supporting evidence. Early preparation can help ensure that documents are complete, properly translated where necessary, and submitted within the applicable deadline.
8. Summary: Who Will Be Affected?
There are three important categories of refugee applicants:
Category 1: Applicants who have started but not submitted their claims.
These applicants will need to comply with the updated IRCC Portal requirements beginning November 3, 2026.
Category 2: Applicants who have submitted their claims to IRCC but have not yet been referred to the RPD.
These applicants must distinguish between the date their application was submitted and the date their claim is referred to the RPD. The applicable procedural requirements may depend on the referral date and the commencement of the new regulations.
Category 3: Applicants whose claims have already been referred to the RPD.
Under the proposed transitional provisions, these applicants would generally continue to follow the existing evidence submission deadline of 10 calendar days before the hearing, provided their referral occurred before the new regulations took effect.
Final Important Reminder
The confirmed IRCC Portal changes beginning November 3, 2026, should not be confused with the proposed regulatory amendments relating to the 60-day application completion period and 30-day evidence submission period.
The final regulations and their commencement date must be verified before these proposed deadlines are treated as legally binding.
At Bamdad Immigration Consulting, we encourage refugee claimants to carefully review their individual procedural status, referral date, and applicable deadlines before determining when supporting evidence must be submitted.
Official Government Sources
Canada Gazette – Proposed Amendments to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations
Canada Gazette – Proposed Refugee Protection Division Rules, Including Transitional Provisions
Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada – Refugee Protection Division Procedures
Disclaimer: This article provides general information based on official announcements and proposed regulatory amendments available as of October 11, 2026. It does not constitute individualized legal advice. Applicable deadlines should be determined by reviewing the legislation and rules in force, the actual referral date, and any case-specific directions issued by the relevant authorities.