Strong Borders Act Immigration Changes: What Became Law in Bill C-12
The Strong Borders Act immigration changes most people search for are now law through a different bill. Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, was introduced on 3 June 2025 and, according to Parliament’s LEGISinfo, is still at second reading in the House of Commons. Bill C-12, the Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act, received royal assent on 26 March 2026 and brought in new asylum eligibility rules, a modernized asylum process, information sharing and powers over groups of immigration documents.
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On this page
- Bill C-2 and Bill C-12: where each stands
- Strong Borders Act immigration rules for asylum claims
- A modernized asylum process
- Powers over immigration documents and applications
- Border and enforcement measures
- Questions about the Strong Borders Act
Bill C-2 and Bill C-12: where each stands
Bill C-2, the Strong Borders Act, was introduced and read a first time on 3 June 2025. LEGISinfo shows it at second reading in the House of Commons, with the latest activity on 17 September 2025. Bill C-12 received royal assent on 26 March 2026 and is Statutes of Canada 2026, chapter 4.
| Bill | Status |
|---|---|
| C-2, Strong Borders Act | At second reading in the House of Commons |
| C-12, Strengthening Canada’s Immigration System and Borders Act | Law since 26 March 2026 |
Sources: Parliament of Canada, LEGISinfo for Bill C-2 and Bill C-12, checked 25 September 2026.
Strong Borders Act immigration rules for asylum claims
Two new eligibility rules apply to claims made on or after 3 June 2025, the day Bill C-2 was introduced. A claim made more than one year after a person’s first entry into Canada after 24 June 2020 is not referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board, and neither is a claim made more than 14 days after entering between ports of entry along the Canada and US land border.
Unaccompanied minors are exempt, and people affected still have access to a pre-removal risk assessment. The Safe Third Country Agreement is unchanged. Sources: IRCC, Bill C-12 backgrounder and asylum eligibility. The claim process itself is covered in our guide to refugee status in Canada.
A modernized asylum process
Beyond the Strong Borders Act immigration eligibility rules, IRCC says regulations will be updated over the coming months to simplify the online application, refer only complete and schedule-ready claims to the IRB, decide claims only while the claimant is in Canada, treat a claim as abandoned if the claimant returns to the country of alleged persecution before a decision, and appoint representatives for vulnerable claimants.
Source: IRCC, Bill C-12 backgrounder.
Powers over immigration documents and applications
When it is in the public interest, IRCC may cancel, suspend or change a large group of immigration documents, pause application intake, or cancel or suspend processing. Each decision needs Governor in Council approval, is published in the Canada Gazette and reported to Parliament.
These powers do not affect asylum claims and do not allow the government to grant, change or revoke permanent or temporary resident status. IRCC also gained clear authority to share certain information with federal, provincial and territorial partners under written agreements. Source: IRCC, Bill C-12 backgrounder. How an existing permit can be cancelled is covered in our guide to Canada visa cancellation rules.
Border and enforcement measures
Public Safety Canada says the same law strengthens the Canada Border Services Agency’s power to examine goods destined for export, lets the Canadian Coast Guard conduct security patrols, and toughens anti-money laundering measures.
Source: Public Safety Canada, royal assent news release, 27 March 2026. For what happens at the border on arrival, see our guide to being denied entry to Canada.
Questions about the Strong Borders Act
Is the Strong Borders Act law?
Bill C-2 is still at second reading according to LEGISinfo. Bill C-12, which carries the asylum and immigration measures, became law on 26 March 2026.
What is the one year asylum rule?
Claims made more than one year after first entry into Canada after 24 June 2020 are not referred to the IRB, for claims made on or after 3 June 2025.
Does the 14 day rule apply everywhere?
It applies to people who enter between ports of entry along the Canada and US land border.
Can IRCC cancel my visa under this law?
Group cancellations need a Governor in Council order in the public interest, published in the Canada Gazette.
Does it change permanent resident status?
No. IRCC says the document powers do not grant, change or revoke permanent or temporary resident status.
Follow the bill that became law
For Strong Borders Act immigration questions, the rules now in force come from Bill C-12. Check which of its measures touch your file, and watch Bill C-2 separately in case it moves again. Send us your situation and we will check what applies.
Reviewed by Frederick Li, RCIC-IRB Level 3 (College ID R506683) and Jin (Cellia) Xiao, RCIC Level 2 (College ID R512398), both listed as Entitled to Practise on the CICC public register. Verify any Canadian immigration consultant at register.college-ic.ca.
Requirements described on this page are taken from the published criteria of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (and, where the page says so, Statistics Canada or the relevant province) and were checked on the date below. Immigration rules change, and the official criteria govern, so confirm the current requirement before you act on anything here.
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Last updated: 25 September 2026.
