C-12 is now law.
While not all the details of the law has been finalized – the law applies to refugees immediately. There are two new rules that may prevent you from making a refugee claim.
One rule depends on how long after your first visit to Canada you made your claim.
The other rule depends on whether you entered Canada through the US.
Step-By-Step: Does C-12 Affect You?
If you made a refugee claim before June 3, 2025, Bill C-12 does not affect you.
If you made a refugee claim on or after June 3, 2025, it may affect you.
Did you make your refugee claim on or after June 3, 2025?
Did you enter Canada for the first time after June 24, 2020?
Did you make your refugee claim more than one year after your first entry to Canada?
(This refers to your very first entry to Canada, even if you later left and returned.)
You are also affected if:
You entered Canada irregularly (between official Canada–U.S. border crossings), and
You made your refugee claim (on or after June 3, 2025) more than 14 days after entering
You entered Canada irregularly (between official Canada–U.S. border crossings), and
You made your refugee claim (on or after June 3, 2025) more than 14 days after entering
- Your refugee claim will not be heard by the Immigration and Refugee Board
- Instead, you will receive a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) application
- The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) will contact you for an interview
- It is very important that you attend this interview
- If you do not attend, you may not receive the PRRA application and you may be removed from Canada
- Keep your contact information updated with IRCC and CBSA
- You can update your information using the IRCC web form
- CBSA does not decide your PRRA
- Your PRRA will be decided by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- CBSA’s role is only to give you the PRRA application. If CBSA asks you questions about your case, do not answer them. You can say “I would like a PRRA”.
- CBSA officers cannot help with your PRRA
- You should seek legal support as soon as possible
After your CBSA interview, you have:
Because the deadlines are short, start to prepare your documents now.
There is always a possible risk of detention during a CBSA interview if officers think you may not attend future immigration appointments.
However, detention is very unlikely when you are being given a PRRA unless there are other existing grounds for detention.
- You cannot be removed from Canada
- You can renew your work permit
- You can continue receiving health coverage under the Federal Interim Health Program (IFHP)