ABUJA, Nigeria (VOICE OF NAIJA)-Canada has rolled out extensive new immigration and asylum policies that will impact Nigerians and other foreign nationals seeking entry or protection in the country.
These measures come after the approval of Bill C-12, officially titled the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026.
According to a report published on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Monday, the new law introduces tighter eligibility criteria for asylum seekers, an updated application process, broader data-sharing authority, and additional control over immigration documents.
Tougher asylum rules
Under the legislation, “asylum claims made more than one year after someone’s first entry into Canada after June 24, 2020, won’t be referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada, regardless of whether the person has since left and returned.
“Asylum claims from people who enter Canada between ports of entry along the Canada–US land border and who make a claim after 14 days won’t be referred to the IRB.”
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Authorities explained that these changes are intended to ease pressure on the asylum system, close loopholes, and prevent the misuse of refugee pathways as substitutes for standard immigration routes.
Despite this, affected individuals can still request a pre-removal risk assessment to ensure they are not sent back to countries where they may face persecution, torture, or other serious harm.
Vulnerable groups, including unaccompanied minors, will also receive special consideration.
No change to US border agreement
Officials confirmed that the existing Safe Third Country Agreement with the United States remains unchanged.
Under this arrangement, most asylum seekers arriving at official land crossings or within 14 days of irregular entry will still be returned to the U.S., unless they meet specific exemption criteria.
Faster, digital asylum process
Canada also plans to modernise its asylum system by streamlining online applications and removing duplicate documentation requirements.
Under the revised system, “only complete and “schedule-ready” claims will be referred for adjudication, while cases may be deemed abandoned if applicants leave Canada before a decision is made.”
“The changes will remove inactive cases from the system and speed up voluntary departures by making removal orders effective on the same day a claim is withdrawn.”
Authorities added that additional support will be provided to vulnerable applicants, including assigning representatives to help them navigate immigration procedures.
Expanded data-sharing authority
The legislation gives immigration officials greater power to share applicants’ personal data across government institutions.
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According to IRCC, this will enable the sharing of identity, status, and official documents with federal, provincial, and territorial partners under formal agreements, while still maintaining safeguards for privacy and legal rights.
Provinces and territories are prohibited from sharing such data with foreign governments without written federal consent.
New controls over visas and permits
The government now has broader authority over immigration documents such as visas, work permits, and study permits.
Under the new law, officials can cancel, suspend, or modify large groups of documents, or pause application processing in cases involving fraud, public health concerns, administrative errors, or national security risks.
Such actions must be approved by the Governor in Council, published in the Canada Gazette, and reported to Parliament.
Officials say these measures are designed to improve the government’s ability to respond to emergencies while maintaining transparency and accountability.
Overall, the new policies are expected to significantly affect Nigerians and other migrants seeking to study, work, or claim asylum in Canada, particularly as stricter eligibility requirements come into force.