The following information bulletin has been shared by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada via e-mail:

As of April 1, 2025, expired refugee protection claimant documents (RPCDs) will no longer be valid.During the pandemic, IRCC announced that all RPCDs were to remain valid until further notice to avoid claimants having to renew or replace them in person. Now that there’s an easy and accessible online renewal process that’s been available to all clients since February 15, 2024, IRCC is moving ahead with reinstating the validity of this document.Asylum claimants can apply to renew an expired RPCD or replace a lost, destroyed, or stolen one through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC’s) online webform. The Replace your refugee protection claimant document page provides more information, along with step-by-step instructions on how to fill out the webform.Please note that old paper application forms for RPCDs mailed to IRCC will no longer be processed and will be returned to the applicant. IRCC is finalizing an alternate process for the RPCD webform for any clients who need an accommodation. More information about this option will be posted on the RPCD replacement page in the coming weeks.Once a request is processed, clients will receive their renewed document by mail or be asked to pick it up at a local IRCC office.

An RPCD is an important and secure Canadian photo identification. It is issued to asylum claimants whose claims have been determined to be eligible and referred to the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada (IRB), and ineligible claimants who will later be able to apply for a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). Asylum claimants use their RPCD (or their acknowledgement of claim letter) to access theInterim Federal Health Program and other services in Canada.