The Government of Canada implemented new asylum application rules on Tuesday, November 3, which include online processes, a 60-day deadline to complete certain files, and clearer procedures for obtaining work permits.
The modifications affect both those who seek international protection within the country and those who do so upon arriving at an airport or border crossing, according to the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
The main change involves unifying the processing through a digital platform, with which Ottawa aims to reduce delays and simplify procedures.
However, applying for asylum online does not automatically guarantee protection or authorization to stay in Canada.
How do you apply for asylum under the new rules?
People who are already in Canadian territory must initiate the process through the official IRCC portal, where they will indicate their intention to apply for asylum, provide their personal information, and submit the initial documentation.
To begin with, they must submit digital copies of their passports, travel documents, or other forms of identification, including those of any family members applying for asylum with them.
They can also prepare evidence that supports their fear of persecution or the risks they would face if they returned to their country of origin.
Subsequently, they will be invited to an in-person interview with an immigration officer, during which they will formalize their application and it will be determined whether they meet the requirements to proceed. If the request is deemed eligible, they will need to complete the digital file, including an explanation of the reasons why they need protection.
Those seeking asylum upon arriving at an airport or border crossing must first identify themselves to the agents of the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA). If their request is deemed eligible, they will receive instructions to complete the application through the digital portal.
One of the most significant updates is the deadline for submitting the complete application and the required documentation after receiving the corresponding notification. If the authorities determine that the application is eligible, the applicant will receive an official notification with the deadline to complete their file. From the date indicated in that document, they will have 60 days to submit the required information.
Interested parties may request a single extension of 30 days, provided they do so before the original deadline expires.
Failure to meet the established requirements or deadlines may result in the case being referred to a procedure to determine whether the application has been abandoned.
The new regulations also establish assistance mechanisms for unaccompanied minors and vulnerable individuals. Additionally, eligible asylum seekers will be able to request a work permit upon completing their digital file, without having to submit a separate application or pay additional fees. To receive it, they must have submitted the complete documentation and passed the immigration medical exam.
What should Cubans who want to seek asylum in Canada know?
The new rules do not eliminate the restrictions for those arriving from the United States, a particularly relevant aspect for Cubans considering relocating to the neighboring country.
Canada maintains the Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States, which limits protection requests made by individuals coming from U.S. territory at the land border, although it includes certain exceptions.
In July 2025, two Cubans who attempted to cross irregularly from the United States were sent back by Canadian authorities after applying for asylum. Two Americans who assisted them were subsequently sentenced.
Additionally, experts have warned Cubans with I-220A in the United States that moving to Canada does not guarantee that they will be able to apply for asylum or stay legally in that country.
These limitations are compounded by new eligibility rules approved in March 2026, which restrict applications submitted more than one year after the first entry into Canada or more than 14 days after crossing the land border from the United States irregularly. The legislation includes exceptions, including for unaccompanied minors.
Canadian authorities clarified that those who had already submitted their application before November 3 will continue under the corresponding procedure. Those who started the digital form but did not submit it will need to review and complete the new questions.
Ottawa reported that asylum applications registered between January and August 2026 decreased by 52% compared to the same period in 2025 and by 68% compared to 2024.
The details of the new procedure, the required documents, and the steps to start an application are available on the official asylum portal of the Government of Canada.
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