Canada’s asylum system is undergoing a seismic shift. Newly released data from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for February 2026 shows a dramatic and sustained decline in asylum claims, the lowest levels seen since before the 2023 surge.
The numbers are stark:
- Asylum claims from temporary resident visa (TRV) holders fell by 80% in February 2026 compared to February 2024 – from 8,975 to just 1,810.
- Overall asylum claims in January–February 2026 were 64% fewer than the same period in 2024.
- Irregular border crossings have dropped from 165 claims per day in March 2023 to only 13 per day after the Safe Third Country Agreement was expanded.
The government credits a series of “integrity measures” – including tighter visa screening, a partial visa requirement for Mexican nationals, the expanded Safe Third Country Agreement, and the new Bill C-12 eligibility rules. Refugee advocates warn that genuine claimants may be caught in the net.
Key Takeaways (at a glance)
| Metric | February 2024 | February 2026 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| TRV-holder asylum claims | 8,975 | 1,810 | ↓ 80% |
| Total asylum claims (Jan–Feb) | ~30,000 | ~10,800 | ↓ 64% |
| RCMP irregular crossings (Feb) | 178 | 62 | ↓ 65% |
| Mexican claims at airports | pre‑visa high | near zero | ↓ 97% |
Source: IRCC asylum statistics (data as of February 28, 2026)
The Numbers Behind the Plunge
1. TRV Holder Claims – The Biggest Drop
The most dramatic decline is among people who entered Canada on a temporary resident visa (visitor visa) and then claimed asylum. IRCC intensified screening of TRV applications, focusing on ties to home countries and travel history. The result:
- February 2026: 1,810 claims
- February 2025: ~3,070 (est.)
- February 2024: 8,975
Two‑year drop: 80%
February 2026 marked the lowest number of TRV‑holder claims since April 2023.
2. Overall Asylum Claims – 64% Lower
Total asylum claims (all entry methods) in January–February 2026 were 64% lower than the same two months in 2024. Monthly figures have not been this low since 2022.
| Period | Total claimants | vs same period 2024 |
|---|---|---|
| Jan–Feb 2024 | ~30,500 | – |
| Jan–Feb 2025 | ~19,200 | ↓ 37% |
| Jan–Feb 2026 | ~10,900 | ↓ 64% |
3. Irregular Crossings – From Crisis to Trickle
After Canada and the U.S. expanded the Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) to cover the entire land border in March 2023, irregular crossings collapsed:
- March 2023 peak: 165 claims/day
- February 2026: 13 claims/day
RCMP apprehensions between ports of entry fell from 178 in February 2024 to 62 in February 2026 – a 65% drop.
4. Mexican Claims – 97% Freefall
When Canada reinstated a partial visa requirement for Mexican citizens in February 2024, claims at airports dropped 97% within one month – from thousands to near zero. That effect has sustained.
What’s Driving the Collapse? Four Key Measures
IRCC explicitly points to four pillars of its asylum integrity strategy:
| Measure | Impact |
|---|---|
| Heightened TRV scrutiny | 80% drop in claims from visa holders |
| Partial visa for Mexico | 97% drop in Mexican airport claims |
| Expanded STCA | Irregular crossings down to 13/day |
| Bill C‑12 | One‑year bar & 14‑day rule for late/irregular claims |
Bill C‑12 (passed March 2026) makes asylum claims ineligible for an Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) hearing if:
- The claim is made more than one year after the person’s first entry into Canada (retroactive to June 2020), or
- The person crossed irregularly from the U.S. and waited more than 14 days to claim.
Those found ineligible may only receive a paper‑based pre‑removal risk assessment (PRRA) – no in‑person hearing.
Government statement: “We’ve taken concrete steps to minimize unnecessary border volumes, increase information sharing, and reduce non‑genuine visitors.”
Critics’ response: “This will lead to incorrect decisions and leave vulnerable people without a fair hearing.” – Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers
Where Are Claims Coming From? (February 2026)
Provinces with the highest asylum volumes, but all are down sharply:
| Province | February 2026 | February 2024 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Quebec | 1,995 | 6,460 | ↓ 69% |
| Ontario | 3,090 | 7,790 | ↓ 60% |
| British Columbia | 780 | 845 | ↓ 8% |
| Alberta | 500 | 635 | ↓ 21% |
Quebec and Ontario still receive 78% of all claims, but their share has fallen from 90% two years ago.
IRCC’s Social Media Announcement
On April 24, 2026, IRCC tweeted:
“Increased scrutiny of temporary resident visa applications has led to an 80% drop in asylum claims from TRV holders over the last 2 years, including a 41% drop in February 2026 compared to February 2025. Detailed historical data dating back to October 2022 is also available. Get the facts about asylum claims.”
— @CitImmCanada
The tweet links to the newly updated asylum statistics page.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1: Why are TRV‑holder claims down so much?
IRCC now applies more rigorous scrutiny to temporary resident visa applications, especially from countries with high claim rates. Applicants must show stronger ties to their home country and a clearer purpose of visit. Many potential claimants are likely being refused at the visa stage.
Q2: Does Bill C‑12 apply retroactively?
Yes. The one‑year bar applies to first entries after June 24, 2020. Claims made after June 3, 2025, that exceed one year are ineligible for an IRB hearing. The 14‑day rule applies to irregular crossings since June 3, 2025.
Q3: Can ineligible claimants still get protection?
They may apply for a Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) – a paper‑based review by an IRCC officer. However, refugee lawyers argue that a PRRA is no substitute for an oral hearing before an independent IRB member.
Q4: Are these numbers final?
Data is preliminary and may be adjusted. IRCC updates the asylum statistics monthly, with a lag of about two months.
Q5: Where can I find the full dataset?
Detailed monthly breakdowns by country of origin, province, and port of entry are available on the Open Government Portal.
What This Means for the Future
For Canada’s immigration system: The asylum docket is rapidly clearing. Fewer claims mean faster processing for those who remain, but also stricter thresholds that may filter out genuine refugees with complex circumstances.
For temporary residents: Holding a TRV no longer offers an easy side‑door to the asylum system. Those considering a claim must act immediately upon arrival – delays of even a few months can make them ineligible under the one‑year bar.
For border communities: Irregular crossings have virtually ended, relieving pressure on small border towns (e.g., Roxham Road, now closed).
For policy watchdogs: Expect legal challenges to Bill C‑12’s retroactive one‑year bar, which some say violates due process. The Canadian Association of Refugee Lawyers is preparing constitutional arguments.
Official Sources and Next Steps
| Resource | Link |
|---|---|
| IRCC Asylum Statistics (Feb 2026) | canada.ca/immigration/asylum-claims |
| Open Government – Asylum data | open.canada.ca |
| Bill C‑12 full text | parl.ca |
| Safe Third Country Agreement | IRCC STCA page |
Canada’s asylum numbers have plummeted – a clear sign that the government’s integrity measures are working as intended. But the human cost of these policies is still being written. With Bill C‑12 now law and TRV screening tighter than ever, the asylum system is entering a new, more restrictive era.
Stay tuned: Monthly updates will show whether this trend continues or if new pressure points emerge.
Data source: IRCC, data as of February 28, 2026. Figures are preliminary and rounded. This article was published on April 24, 2026.