Canada provides asylum, legally known as refugee protection, to people entering Canada who can demonstrate that they meet the definition of a Convention refugee or a person in need of protection.

For people who make an asylum claim when entering Canada, understanding what happens at the border is important. The process can involve the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA), and in some situations, claimants may be asked to continue their application online through the IRCC Portal.

A significant change to the online asylum application process begins on November 3, 2026.

The transition is especially important for people whose claims are initiated at the Canadian border and who are instructed by CBSA to complete their claim online.

This article explains the key changes, the November 2 deadline, what happens if you submit on time, and what applicants need to do if they do not link or submit their claim before the new process begins.

What Is Asylum in Canada?

Canada's asylum system provides refugee protection to people who may meet the legal definition of a Convention refugee or person in need of protection.

A person entering Canada may make an asylum claim if they believe they require Canada's protection and their circumstances meet the applicable legal requirements.

However, asylum is not simply an immigration pathway for anyone who wants to remain in Canada.

Applicants must meet the relevant legal criteria for refugee protection.

If someone does not qualify as a refugee but wants to remain in Canada, they may need to explore other immigration options based on their individual circumstances and eligibility.

Claiming Asylum When Entering Canada

People arriving in Canada can make an asylum claim at a Canadian port of entry.

This can include:

• Airports

• Land border crossings

• Marine ports of entry

The process may involve CBSA officers who collect information and begin the claim process.

In some situations, CBSA may instruct the claimant to continue completing their asylum claim online through the IRCC Portal.

This online step is particularly important because of the process changes coming into effect on November 3, 2026.

What Is the IRCC Portal?

The IRCC Portal is an online system used for submitting certain immigration and asylum applications.

When a person making an asylum claim at the border is instructed by CBSA to complete the claim online, they may need to link their claim to a Portal account and complete the required application information.

The Portal therefore becomes an important part of completing the asylum claim after the initial border process.

Major Changes Start November 3, 2026

Canada is continuing its efforts to modernize the asylum process.

As part of these changes, the way certain asylum claims are completed through the IRCC Portal will change starting:

November 3, 2026

For people who have been instructed by CBSA to complete their claim online, there is an important transition deadline:

November 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM Eastern Time

What happens next depends on whether the claimant has linked their claim and submitted the application before the deadline.

If You Link and Submit Before the Deadline

If CBSA tells you to complete your asylum claim online and you:

1. Link your claim to an IRCC Portal account, and

2. Submit your asylum claim through the Portal

by 11:59 PM ET on November 2, 2026, you will not need to provide new information solely because of the transition to the updated process.

However, IRCC can still request additional information if it is needed to process the claim.

Therefore, submitting before the deadline does not mean that the applicant will never receive another request from IRCC.

The important point is that the transition itself will not require the claimant to provide the new information simply because the system is changing.

What Happens If You Don't Link Your Claim Before November 3?

If CBSA instructs you to complete your asylum claim online but you do not link your claim to an IRCC Portal account before the deadline, the new process will apply when you continue.

The information already collected by CBSA will be saved.

However, you will need to:

Link your claim to an IRCC Portal account.

Then you will need to review the information already provided and complete the additional questions required under the updated process.

What Happens If You Link Your Claim but Don't Submit It?

This is another important distinction.

Simply linking a claim to a Portal account does not mean that the claim has been submitted.

If you link your claim but do not submit your asylum application through the Portal by 11:59 PM ET on November 2, 2026, you will need to continue under the updated process.

Your information collected by CBSA will be saved.

You will then need to:

• Review your existing answers

• Answer the new questions

• Provide the required information

• Complete the online claim submission

Remember:

Linked does not necessarily mean submitted.

The important transition step is completing the submission before the deadline.

What Information Will Be Saved?

According to the IRCC information provided for this transition, information collected by CBSA will be saved.

This means applicants should not assume that they have to start their claim completely from the beginning simply because the new system takes effect.

Instead, applicants who continue after the transition will need to review their existing information and answer the new questions.

This helps explain why the transition is different from simply deleting an unfinished application.

Why the November 2 Deadline Matters

The November 2 deadline is important because it determines whether an asylum claimant completes the claim under the existing process or continues under the updated process.

The deadline is:

11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 2, 2026.

Applicants should pay attention to the time zone.

Someone located in another Canadian time zone should not assume that 11:59 PM local time is the deadline.

The IRCC information specifies Eastern Time.

Starting a Claim Is Not the Same as Submitting It

One of the most important lessons from the new process is the difference between beginning a claim and completing it.

A person may have:

• Arrived at the Canadian border

• Spoken with CBSA

• Provided information

• Been instructed to complete the claim online

• Created or linked an IRCC Portal account

But the claim still needs to be properly submitted.

Applicants should therefore understand exactly what stage their claim has reached.

A Simple Example

Imagine a person enters Canada on October 30, 2026 and makes an asylum claim at the border.

CBSA collects the required information and tells the person to complete the claim online.

The person creates an IRCC Portal account but does not submit the application by November 2.

When the updated process begins on November 3, the information collected by CBSA remains saved.

However, the claimant will need to continue under the new process, review their existing answers, and answer the new questions before submitting.

This is why applicants should not confuse having an account or saved information with having a submitted asylum claim.

What Should Border Asylum Claimants Do Before November 3?

If you have been instructed by CBSA to complete your asylum claim through the IRCC Portal, consider carefully where you are in the process.

1. Check Whether Your Claim Has Been Linked

Make sure you understand whether your CBSA-initiated claim has been linked to an IRCC Portal account.

2. Check Whether Your Application Has Actually Been Submitted

Having an account is not the same as submitting an application.

Review the Portal carefully and confirm the status of your claim.

3. Know the Deadline

The relevant transition deadline is:

November 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET.

4. Review Your Information

Before submitting, carefully review the information in your application.

Check that your personal information and answers are accurate and complete.

5. Be Prepared for New Questions

If you do not complete the process before the transition, you will need to answer the new questions introduced under the updated system.

What Happens at a Canadian Port of Entry?

A person claiming asylum at a Canadian port of entry may be required to provide information to CBSA.

Canadian ports of entry can include:

• Airports

• Land borders

• Marine ports

The specific process depends on the person's circumstances and the instructions provided by Canadian authorities.

Applicants should follow the instructions given by CBSA and IRCC.

If they are instructed to continue their claim online, completing the Portal process becomes an important part of the application.

Who Can Apply for Asylum?

Canada's asylum system is intended for people who can demonstrate that they meet the legal definition of a Convention refugee or person in need of protection.

Eligibility is determined according to Canadian law and the individual's circumstances.

Not everyone entering Canada will qualify for refugee protection.

There are also circumstances that can make an asylum claim ineligible.

Therefore, anyone considering an asylum claim should understand the eligibility requirements rather than assuming that making a claim automatically provides the right to remain in Canada.

What If You Are Not a Refugee?

Not everyone who wants to remain in Canada qualifies for asylum.

If you are not a refugee but want to remain in Canada, other immigration options may be available depending on your circumstances.

Possible pathways can vary significantly from person to person.

For that reason, individuals should understand their available immigration options rather than relying on an asylum claim simply as a way to stay in Canada.

Accuracy Matters in Refugee Claims

Applicants should provide accurate and truthful information throughout the asylum process.

This includes information provided to CBSA as well as information submitted through the IRCC Portal.

Applicants should carefully review their answers before submission.

If information is incomplete or incorrect, the applicant should follow the appropriate IRCC process for correcting or updating it.

Because refugee claims can involve important legal and personal circumstances, applicants should take the preparation of their information seriously.

Common Questions About Border Asylum Claims

What is the deadline for the new asylum process transition?

The key deadline is 11:59 PM Eastern Time on November 2, 2026.

The updated process starts November 3, 2026.

What happens if I submit my claim before November 3?

If you link your Portal account and submit your asylum claim by the deadline, you do not need to provide new information solely because of the transition, unless IRCC asks you for additional information.

What if I don't link my claim to an IRCC Portal account?

If CBSA instructed you to complete your claim online and you do not link it before the deadline, you will need to link your claim to a Portal account under the updated process.

The information collected by CBSA will be saved.

You will also need to review the existing information and answer the new questions.

What if I link my account but don't submit?

If the claim remains unsubmitted after the transition, you will need to continue under the new process.

Your existing information will be saved, but you will need to review it and answer the new questions before submitting.

Will CBSA information be lost?

According to the IRCC transition information, information collected by CBSA will be saved.

However, applicants may need to review that information and complete additional questions under the new process.

Can I claim asylum at an airport?

Canadian airports can be ports of entry where people may make asylum claims.

The process depends on the individual's circumstances and the instructions provided by Canadian authorities.

Can I claim asylum at a land border?

Land border crossings are also Canadian ports of entry where asylum claims may be made, subject to applicable Canadian requirements and eligibility rules.

Does making an asylum claim guarantee protection?

No.

Making a claim does not automatically mean that a person qualifies for refugee protection.

The claimant must meet the applicable legal requirements, and the claim is subject to the Canadian refugee protection process.

Final Takeaway

The Canadian asylum application process is changing on November 3, 2026.

For people who make an asylum claim at the Canadian border and are instructed by CBSA to complete their claim online, the key transition deadline is:

November 2, 2026 at 11:59 PM ET

If you link your claim to an IRCC Portal account and submit it before the deadline, you do not need to provide new information solely because of the transition, unless IRCC asks for it.

If you do not link your claim or submit your application before the deadline, information collected by CBSA will be saved, but you will need to continue through the updated process.

You will need to link your claim to a Portal account, review your existing information, answer the new questions, and complete the submission.

Most importantly:

Do not confuse starting, linking, and submitting your asylum claim.

Understanding where your application stands can help you navigate the transition more effectively.

If you are considering claiming asylum in Canada or have been instructed by CBSA to complete your claim online, make sure you understand the applicable requirements and follow the official IRCC instructions carefully.

Skylam Immigration Services — helping you navigate Canada's immigration process with clarity and preparation.