Bill C-12 Has Become Law: New Changes to Canada’s Immigration and Asylum System

Bill C-12 Has Become Law: What Has Changed in Canada’s Immigration and Asylum System?

On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12 – the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act – received royal assent and became law. According to IRCC’s official backgrounder, the legislation introduces changes in 4 key areas: new asylum eligibility requirements, a modernized asylum process, domestic information-sharing, and new authorities over immigration documents and related applications.

1. New eligibility rules for asylum claims

   
   

The law brings into force 2 new asylum eligibility requirements that apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025. First, if a person makes an asylum claim more than one year after their first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, the claim will no longer be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. Second, if a person enters Canada between ports of entry along the Canada–US land border and makes a claim after 14 days, that claim also will not be referred to the IRB.

IRCC states that these measures are intended to reduce pressure on the asylum system, manage sudden increases in claims, close loopholes, and deter the use of asylum as a shortcut to regular immigration pathways. At the same time, affected individuals will still retain access to a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). IRCC has also confirmed that there is no change to the application of the Safe Third Country Agreement.

2. Modernized asylum process

   
   

Over the coming months, Canada plans to amend the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations to improve how asylum claims are received, processed, and decided. According to the official announcement, the goal is to simplify the online application process, reduce duplicate questions and multiple forms, and refer only complete, “schedule-ready” claims to the IRB.

Other planned changes include ensuring that the IRB decides claims only while the claimant is physically present in Canada, treating claims as abandoned if the claimant voluntarily returns to their country of alleged persecution before a decision is made, removing inactive cases from the system, and making removal orders effective on the same day a claim is withdrawn. The government also plans to appoint representatives for vulnerable people, such as minors or those who do not understand the process, during certain IRCC and CBSA proceedings.

3. Expanded domestic information-sharing authority for IRCC

Bill C-12 gives IRCC clear legal authority to share certain personal information both internally and with federal, provincial, and territorial government partners. This includes information related to identity, immigration status, and IRCC-issued documents. The department says this sharing must take place through written agreements or arrangements.

According to IRCC, these changes are meant to improve service delivery, strengthen coordination across government programs, and make information-sharing more secure and consistent. The department also states that the new framework includes safeguards to protect privacy and Charter rights. For example, provinces and territories cannot share this information with foreign governments without IRCC’s written permission, and a privacy impact assessment must be completed for any new internal use of personal information.

4. New authority over immigration documents and applications

One of the most notable parts of the law is that it gives the Government of Canada broader tools to manage immigration documents and related applications when it is in the public interest. Under these powers, IRCC may cancel, suspend, or change large groups of visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), work permits, and study permits. It may also pause intake for new applications or suspend processing in certain circumstances.

IRCC explains that public interest grounds may include fraud, administrative error, public health, public safety, or national security concerns. Importantly, these actions cannot be taken by a single minister alone. Each use of these powers requires approval by the Governor in Council. Decisions must also be published in the Canada Gazette and reported to Parliament. The law further clarifies that these powers do not apply to asylum claims and do not give the government authority to directly grant, change, or revoke a person’s immigration status.

Conclusion

Bill C-12 is more than a technical legislative update. It signals a significant policy shift toward tighter control and more centralized management of Canada’s immigration and asylum system, particularly in the asylum context. For individuals who may be affected, factors such as the timing of a claim, the mode of entry into Canada, physical presence in Canada, and available legal options have now become even more important.

Anyone who may be affected by these changes should assess their situation carefully under the new legal framework and plan accordingly.