New RPD Rules in force: refugee claimants must send their documents much earlier.

What the IRB changed on November 3

The Immigration and Refugee Board (IRB) announced on November 3, 2026 that amendments to the Refugee Protection Division (RPD) Rules took effect that day. They bring the Rules in line with the Strengthening Canada's Immigration System and Borders Act, the same law behind the asylum reforms that started at IRCC on November 3. The amended Rules were published in the Canada Gazette, Part II on November 4 as SOR/2026-219.

The same day, the RPD amended its Practice notice on procedural issues and added temporary measures to give claimants and counsel time to adjust.

No more Basis of Claim Form

Claimants no longer complete a separate Basis of Claim (BOC) Form for the RPD. The same content, now called basis of claim information, is given to IRCC as part of the online application, together with identity and travel documents and signed declarations. The Minister's office (IRCC or the Canada Border Services Agency) passes it to the RPD when the claim is referred.

If something changes or needs to be added after referral, the claimant tells the RPD in writing, using the RPD's form for changes to the BOC form or basis of claim information, and explains how the new information differs from the original. The RPD must receive it no later than five days after the claimant receives the notice to appear.

Document deadlines by referral date

The largest change is when personal documents are due. These are the documents about you and your claim, such as identity papers, police reports and medical records. Your referral date is on your confirmation of referral.

Country conditions documents, such as human rights reports, are still due 10 days before the hearing. A document that responds to something the Minister or the RPD has filed is due 5 days before the hearing. For claims referred on or before November 2, 2026, changes to the BOC form are due 10 days before the hearing if the notice to appear is received by January 3, 2027; after that, the five-day rule applies. A document sent after its deadline needs an application to submit late disclosure, and the member decides whether to accept it.

Hearing dates, fax and abandonment

• Changing the date. The RPD must not change a hearing date or time unless there are exceptional circumstances, such as an emergency or something outside the party's control, and the party acted diligently. The RPD's guidance asks for the application at least three working days before the hearing, unless the reason is medical or an emergency. If you receive no answer, attend as scheduled.
• Fax. The RPD no longer accepts documents by fax. Detained claimants are the exception. Counsel must use the My Case portal; claimants without counsel may use email until they are invited to My Case.
• Abandonment. New rules cover claims that may be declared abandoned, including before referral when a claimant has not provided required documents or attended an examination. The claimant must be given a chance to respond, in writing or at a special hearing.

What claimants should do

Start gathering personal documents as soon as you make your claim; do not wait for a hearing date. Documents that are not in English or French need a translation and a translator's declaration, which takes time. Count your deadline from the referral date. If your address, phone number, email or counsel changes, tell both the RPD and the Minister in writing without delay. Thirty or 60 days is short for anyone who needs documents from Iran, so ask your counsel early what can arrive in time and what will need a late disclosure application.

Official sources

• IRB: Important changes for refugee claimants: New RPD Rules (November 3, 2026)
• IRB: Refugee Protection Division practice notice on procedural issues
• IRB: Questions and answers, practice notice on procedural issues
• Canada Gazette, Part II: Rules Amending the Refugee Protection Division Rules (SOR/2026-219)
• IRB: The refugee protection claim process