Canada expands work permit access for asylum claimants, i.e., Canada has introduced a new temporary public policy to support certain foreign nationals whose asylum claims are found ineligible. This policy helps them get or keep open work permits while they move through different steps of the asylum process.

The goal of this measure is to avoid gaps in work permission and help individuals continue working during uncertain periods.

How This Temporary Policy Supports Claimants?

This public policy acts as a short-term solution to a problem created by recent legal changes under Bill C-12. The law, which became official on March 26, 2026, introduced stricter rules for asylum eligibility.

Under the current system, when an asylum claim is found ineligible, the person may still apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA). This process checks if the person may face danger if sent back to their home country.

Once a person is allowed to apply for a PRRA, their removal is paused, and they may apply for a work permit. However, there is often a delay between the time a claim is rejected and when the person is told they can apply for a PRRA.

During this waiting period, many individuals are not allowed to work. This creates financial and personal challenges. With the new rules under Bill C-12, more claims are expected to be found ineligible, which may increase this gap.

To solve this issue, the new policy allows asylum claimants to apply for a work permit even before they receive PRRA notification. This means they may continue working without interruption.

Under this policy:

  • Eligible individuals who apply for a work permit may receive one before PRRA notification; and
  • Those who already have a work permit may be allowed to keep it, even if their removal order becomes active.

This approach helps individuals support themselves and reduces pressure on public services.

Eligibility Requirements For The Policy

To qualify for this temporary policy, an individual must meet certain conditions:

  • have made a refugee claim that was found ineligible for referral to the RPD under the listed provisions of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
  • not be barred from applying for protection under *section 112(2)(a)
  • have submitted a work permit application or already hold a work permit

Note: Section 112(2)(a) refers to cases where Canada has approved the legal process to extradite a person.

Applicants must still follow all other legal and immigration rules, except where exemptions are allowed under this policy.

The government has stated that this policy can be ended at any time. However, applications submitted while it is active will still be processed under its rules.

Key Changes Introduced By Bill C-12

On March 26, 2026, Bill C-12 became law. It introduced major changes to Canada’s immigration and asylum system.

Under this law, some asylum claims are no longer allowed to be reviewed by the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) of the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB).

These include:

  • Those made more than one year after a person first entered Canada after June 24, 2020; and
  • Those made by individuals who crossed into Canada from the United States outside a port of entry and made a claim 14 days or more after arrival.

These new rules apply to claims made on or after June 3, 2025.

Overall, this temporary public policy provides important support to asylum claimants by helping them continue working while they wait for the next step in their immigration process.

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