Canada Introduces Temporary Open Work Permit Relief for Some Ineligible Asylum Claimants

Canada has introduced a new temporary public policy allowing certain asylum claimants whose refugee claims were found ineligible under new Bill C-12 rules to apply for or keep an open work permit while waiting for their Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA).
Under the new law, two major categories of claims may now be considered ineligible for referral to the Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB):
Claims made more than one year after a person first entered Canada after June 24, 2020
Claims from individuals who crossed irregularly from the U.S. and waited more than 14 days before making an asylum claim
Even if these claims are ruled ineligible, affected individuals may still be allowed to apply for a PRRA, which assesses whether they would face persecution, torture, or serious harm if removed from Canada.
The temporary policy was introduced to prevent gaps in work authorization during the waiting period before PRRA eligibility is confirmed. It also allows some individuals who already hold work permits to keep them active instead of having them automatically cancelled.
According to the federal government, the goal is to reduce pressure on provincial support systems while allowing eligible individuals to continue supporting themselves financially during processing.
The policy took effect after Bill C-12 received Royal Assent on March 26, 2026.