Maple News reports that Canada has launched a temporary public policy to help certain foreign nationals with asylum claims obtain or retain work permits even after their refugee claims are deemed ineligible for referral to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board.
The policy is designed as a stopgap to prevent gaps in work authorization as claimants move through the asylum process, a concern intensified by recent reforms.
The measure follows Bill C-12, which received royal assent on March 26, 2026, and expands the set of asylum claims that are ineligible for referral to the RPD.
Under the current framework, individuals whose claims are found ineligible for referral may still be able to apply for a Pre-Removal Risk Assessment, which can pause removal and enable a work permit. However, delays between an ineligibility finding and PRRA notification can leave asylum seekers without work authorization, a problem expected to grow as ineligibility rules tighten.
The new temporary policy allows eligible asylum claimants to obtain a work permit before PRRA notification and before the removal order is paused, and it also provides that claimants who already hold a work permit may be exempt from cancellation when their removal order becomes enforceable.
IRCC says the policy is a transitional measure intended to help asylum claimants support themselves during this interim period and to reduce pressure on provincial and territorial services ahead of the PRRA process.
Eligibility criteria are set by IRCC; individuals who believe they qualify should consult the official guidance to determine their status and the steps to apply.