Canada Updates Asylum Claimants Data for 2025: Here’s What You Need to Know
Important changes are happening in Canada’s asylum system!
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced that starting 2025, there will be a refined methodology for tracking asylum claimants as part of ongoing efforts to improve data quality.
The latest statistics for the first quarter of 2025 (January to March) have been released, reflecting the updated approach.
Here’s everything you need to know.
Key Changes to Asylum Claimant Data in 2025
- New Data Methodology:
Canada is improving how it collects and reports asylum claimant numbers to ensure more accurate and reliable statistics. - Monthly Updates:
Preliminary numbers are released and updated monthly as data is verified and finalized. - Privacy Protection:
- Numbers between 0 and 5 are shown as “--” to protect individuals’ privacy.
- Other figures are rounded to the nearest multiple of 5 for confidentiality.
⚠️ Note:
This data does not represent the number of asylum claimants currently living in each province. It only shows valid asylum claims submitted in 2025.
Asylum Claimants in 2025: The Latest Numbers (January–March)
1. RCMP Interceptions (Between Ports of Entry)
These are asylum seekers intercepted between official border points.
| Province | Total Interceptions (Jan–Mar 2025) |
|---|---|
| Quebec | 235 |
| British Columbia | 118 |
| Manitoba | 33 |
| Alberta | 11 |
| Ontario | 5 |
| New Brunswick, Saskatchewan | 0 |
| Total | 402 |
2. Asylum Claims at CBSA Ports of Entry
Air Ports of Entry:
- Total claims: 3,340
- Top provinces: Quebec (1,800), Ontario (1,385)
Land Ports of Entry:
- Total claims: 4,125
- Top provinces: Quebec (2,725), Ontario (1,050)
Marine Ports of Entry:
- Minimal activity reported.
Total CBSA Ports of Entry:
7,465 claims filed between January and March 2025.
3. Inland Offices (CBSA)
- Claims processed: 175
- Mostly in Quebec (35), Ontario (115), and British Columbia (25).
4. Claims Processed by IRCC (Inside Canada)
| Province | Total Claims (Jan–Mar 2025) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 11,540 |
| Quebec | 4,745 |
| British Columbia | 2,640 |
| Alberta | 1,610 |
| Manitoba | 380 |
| Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, others | Minor claims |
Total IRCC-Processed Claims:
21,235 for the first quarter of 2025.
5. Combined CBSA + IRCC Totals
| Province | Total Asylum Claims (Jan–Mar 2025) |
|---|---|
| Ontario | 14,090 |
| Quebec | 9,305 |
| British Columbia | 2,975 |
| Alberta | 1,730 |
| Manitoba | 430 |
| Other provinces | Lower numbers |
Grand Total:
28,880 asylum claimants processed across Canada from January to March 2025.
Why This Matters
The changes to asylum data collection and reporting in 2025 reflect Canada's efforts to:
- Increase transparency in immigration statistics.
- Improve accuracy for policymakers and the public.
- Protect privacy of vulnerable individuals seeking refuge.
Understanding how and where asylum claims are processed helps inform:
- Future immigration policy decisions.
- Settlement support planning in provinces and cities.
Canada’s asylum system continues to evolve with stronger data practices in 2025.
The updated asylum statistics show that Ontario, Quebec, and British Columbia continue to receive the largest number of claimants.
As IRCC refines its processes, we can expect even better clarity and more effective refugee protection moving forward.
Stay tuned for monthly updates as Canada continues to report asylum claim numbers throughout the year!
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