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 don’t link your claim or submit your application in the Portal before Nov 3
If the CBSA tells you to complete your claim online but you don’t link your claim to a portal account or submit your application in the portal by 11:59pm EST on November 2, 2026
- you will need to link your claim to a Portal account
- information the CBSA collected will be saved
- you’ll need to answer new questions and review old ones
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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