Canada’s new immigration law, Bill C-12, became official on March 26, 2026. Just two to three days later, people started receiving letters from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) saying their asylum claims might be rejected under the new rules.
These letters, called procedural fairness letters, give applicants a short time to respond before a final decision is made. Many lawyers say this fast rollout shows the government was ready to enforce the law immediately.
Bill C-12 introduces two major rules. The first is the “one-year rule,” which blocks people from making an asylum claim if they apply more than one year after first entering Canada. The second is the “14-day rule,” which affects people who cross the Canada–U.S. border between official entry points and wait more than two weeks to apply.
If a claim is found ineligible, it will not go to the Immigration and Refugee Board for a hearing. However, people may still apply for a risk assessment before being removed from Canada.
Those affected still have some legal options. They can respond to the letter with evidence, ask for a risk assessment, apply on humanitarian grounds, or challenge the decision in Federal Court. Some may also try to switch to another type of visa to stay in Canada.
The impact could be large. Thousands of claims may be cancelled, including many from international students and temporary workers.
Critics, including human rights groups and legal experts, say the law is too strict and could harm vulnerable people. Some are already preparing legal challenges.
Another concern is that work permits linked to these asylum claims could be cancelled within 90 days, which may affect both workers and employers across Canada.
