Refugee claims in Canada are now subject to amended Refugee Protection Division Rules that took effect on November 3, 2026.
The Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada says the changes align the RPD Rules with amendments introduced by the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act.
The IRB also amended its Practice notice on procedural issues, known as the PNPI, to explain how the new requirements apply to claimants and counsel.
The most important changes concern personal disclosure deadlines, Basis of Claim information, electronic document delivery and transitional rules for claims referred around the implementation date. These changes affect how refugee claims are prepared and documented.
The amended RPD Rules are scheduled for publication in the Canada Gazette, Part II, on November 4, 2026, according to the IRB notice.
Table of Contents
When The New RPD Rules Apply
The updated RPD Rules take effect on November 3, 2026. The updated PNPI also came into force on November 3, 2026, the date it was signed.
Different deadlines may apply depending on when the claim was referred to the RPD.
Claimants should check the referral date shown on their Confirmation of Referral document from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency.
The referral date is particularly important because it determines the deadline for submitting personal evidence to the RPD and helps identify which rules apply to refugee claims.
New Personal Disclosure Deadlines For Refugee Claims
Personal disclosure is evidence about the claimant’s own circumstances and individual refugee claim.
Examples can include identity documents, police reports, medical records, letters, photographs and other evidence connected to the claimant’s situation.
The new RPD deadlines for refugee claims are as follows:
| RPD Referral Date | Deadline For Personal Evidence |
|---|---|
| Before November 3, 2026 | At least 10 days before the hearing |
| November 3, 2026 to January 3, 2027, inclusive | 60 days after referral to the RPD |
| January 4, 2027 or later | 30 days after referral to the RPD |
The 60-day period is an automatic temporary transitional measure intended to give claimants and counsel time to adapt to the new requirements.
For example, a refugee claim referred on November 3, 2026 falls under the temporary 60-day period.
A refugee claim referred on January 3, 2027 also falls under the temporary 60-day period.
A refugee claim referred on January 4, 2027 is subject to the 30-day deadline.
If a claimant is responding to a document submitted by another party or by the RPD, the response must generally be received at least five days before the hearing, even if another deadline would otherwise apply.
Claimants who miss a deadline must request permission from the RPD to submit late disclosure.
The IRB advises claimants to submit evidence as early as possible rather than waiting until the hearing date.
Country Conditions Evidence Keeps A Separate Deadline
Country conditions evidence is different from personal disclosure in refugee claims.
It covers general conditions in the claimant’s country, such as human rights reports and research about the situation there.
The deadline for country conditions evidence remains 10 days before the hearing.
Claimants should not upload country conditions evidence through the IRCC Portal when completing their refugee claim application.
That material must be sent directly to the RPD in accordance with the IRB’s document-submission instructions.
Basis Of Claim Information Moves Into The IRCC Portal
For refugee claims referred to the RPD before November 3, 2026, claimants submitted a Basis of Claim form.
As of November 3, 2026, claimants provide Basis of Claim information through the IRCC Portal as part of the refugee claim application. This portal process applies to refugee claims referred on or after that date.
The Basis of Claim information explains the claimant’s personal information, why they cannot return to their country and why they are seeking protection in Canada.
The RPD considers that information when deciding refugee claims.
Claimants who need to change or add information to their refugee claims must use the designated Changes to the Basis of Claim form or information process.
The submission should identify what is being changed or added and explain how it differs from the original information.
For refugee claims referred to the RPD on or after November 3, 2026, changes or additions must generally be received no later than five days after the claimant receives a Notice to Appear.
For older claims, transitional deadlines depend on when the claimant receives the Notice to Appear.
If the Notice to Appear is received on or before January 3, 2027, changes must be submitted without delay and no later than 10 days before the hearing.
If the Notice to Appear is received after January 3, 2027, changes must generally be submitted without delay and no later than five days after receipt.
The IRB says it will be flexible about the mandatory form requirement when a claimant does not have counsel.
How Claimants Receive A Notice To Appear
A claimant with counsel will generally have the Notice to Appear sent to counsel, who must share it with the claimant.
A claimant without counsel who has access to the IRB’s My Case portal, or has been invited to use it, must generally respond within five days after receiving the Notice to Appear.
A claimant without counsel who has not been invited to use My Case may receive the Notice to Appear by mail.
For mailed notices, the RPD allows seven days for delivery, followed by five days for the claimant to respond.
This means the deadline is generally 12 days after the date shown on the mailed Notice to Appear. If the 12th day falls on a weekend or holiday, the deadline is the next business day.
Keeping an address, telephone number and email address current is essential because the RPD uses that information to send hearing notices and other documents.
Electronic Document Rules Are More Important
The RPD encourages electronic communication because it is generally faster, safer and creates a record of transmission.
Counsel and designated representatives must use the My Case portal unless the RPD approves another electronic method in exceptional circumstances.
Unrepresented claimants can generally email documents to the RPD until they receive an invitation to use My Case.
Claimants should send each document only once and through one delivery method.
Each submission should include the RPD file number or unique client identifier and a short description of the document.
Different types of documents should be placed in separate PDF files.
If several documents are combined into one PDF, the pages should be numbered and the file should include a table of contents.
Documents in languages other than English or French must include a translation that meets the RPD’s requirements, including the required translator’s declaration.
Claimants should not send internet hyperlinks instead of the required documents.
People in detention may still be permitted to send documents by fax because detention can limit available filing options.
What Happens If Evidence Is Late
The RPD may accept late disclosure in refugee claims when the claimant submits a formal request as soon as possible. This process gives refugee claims a potential avenue for addressing evidence that could not be filed on time.
The claimant should explain why the evidence could not reasonably have been sent earlier and how it is relevant to the claim.
The RPD may consider whether the evidence was sent as soon as reasonably possible, provides new information and is relevant or probative to the claim.
Claimants should not wait until the day of the hearing to request permission to submit important documents.
Late evidence is not automatically accepted, so meeting the applicable deadline remains important.
Related Changes To The Wider Asylum Process
The RPD changes form part of broader amendments to Canada’s asylum process that also took effect on November 3, 2026.
Once an eligible claimant receives a Notice of Application Due Date, the updated process provides 60 days to complete the required application and documents in the IRCC Portal. A one-time automatic extension of 30 days may be requested before the original deadline.
This government-stage deadline is separate from the later RPD deadline for personal evidence after referral.
After the application is complete, IRCC or the CBSA conducts screening and other verifications before the claim is referred to the IRB.
The updated process also includes procedures for incomplete claims and pre-referral abandonment proceedings when claimants do not meet application, document or appointment requirements.
Claimants may request a work permit through the refugee claim application. A work permit is not issued until the complete application has been submitted and the immigration medical examination requirement has been met, and the claimant must still be eligible for the permit.
What Refugee Claimants Should Do Now
- Check the referral date on the Confirmation of Referral document.
- Calculate the correct personal disclosure deadline based on that date.
- Submit personal evidence separately from country conditions evidence.
- Review Basis of Claim information for accuracy and report changes promptly.
- Monitor the IRCC Portal, My Case portal, email and mail for official notices.
- Use the RPD’s required forms when requesting late disclosure or changing hearing arrangements.
- Keep contact information updated with the RPD, IRCC and the CBSA where required.
The new deadlines can differ significantly between refugee claims, including claims involving family members or joined files.
Claimants who are unsure which deadline applies should review their official documents and consider obtaining advice from an authorized immigration or refugee-law professional.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Canada’s new RPD Rules take effect?
The amended Refugee Protection Division Rules and updated Practice notice on procedural issues took effect on November 3, 2026.
When is personal evidence due for a refugee claim referred after November 3, 2026?
Claims referred from November 3, 2026 through January 3, 2027 generally have 60 days after referral to submit personal evidence. Claims referred on or after January 4, 2027 generally have 30 days.
Is the deadline for country conditions evidence changing?
No. Country conditions evidence must still generally be received by the RPD at least 10 days before the hearing.
Where do new claimants provide Basis of Claim information?
Under the updated process, claimants provide Basis of Claim information through the IRCC Portal as part of their refugee claim application.
Fact-Checked: Fact-checked against the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada official materials available on November 4, 2026.
Disclaimer: This article provides general information and is not legal advice. Refugee claimants should follow the instructions in their official IRB, IRCC or CBSA documents.
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