The Canadian government has a long history of defending human rights around the world. The government recently introduced a temporary public policy to help Iranian nationals extend their stay in Canada and avoid returning to their country of origin in the near future.
These measures, announced in February 2023 to support Iranians residing in Canada during the period of unrest in Iran, were initially set to expire last week.
However, due to the unstable situation in Iran, they were extended until February 28, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clarified that although the protests in Iran have calmed, the situation in the country remains precarious.
This guide will explain how Iranians can use this new policy and the steps to apply it across different categories.
How can Iranian temporary residents use this policy?
Tens of thousands of Iranians temporarily residing in Canada can use this new policy to extend their stay in Canada free of charge. They can do this in one of the following ways:
Extend your current temporary status
Iranians who have temporary status in Canada can request an extension of their status. This includes Iranian students with study permits, Iranian professionals with work permits, and Iranian visitors with temporary visitor visas.
Change your temporary resident status
Iranians can also change their temporary status. This means they can move from being a student with a study permit to being a foreign worker with a work permit. This temporary status change could be useful for Iranian graduate students.
Likewise, you can use Canada visitor visa for work permit policy for Iranian nationals if you are visiting relatives in Canada and want to start working there.
Who is eligible for this policy?
Iranian foreign nationals must meet a few conditions to be eligible for this new policy. The three types of people the new policy is aimed at are:
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following conditions:
- Have requested the extension of their temporary resident status in accordance with section 181 of the Regulations.
- Have applied for a temporary residence permit
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following conditions:
- Have requested the extension of their temporary resident status in accordance with section 181 of the Regulations.
- Have applied for both a temporary residence permit and a Canadian work permit according to sections 200 or 201 of the Regulations
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following conditions:
- Have requested the extension of their temporary resident status in accordance with section 181 of the Regulations.
- Have applied for both a temporary resident permit and a Canadian study permit in accordance with sections 216 or 217 of the Regulations
How to apply for the new temporary policy for Iranians?
The following steps describe how you can apply for the new temporary policy for Iranians.
Step 1: Decide how you plan to apply for the new policy for Iranians
You may need to follow a specific application process depending on how you plan to use the new policy for Iranians. You need to examine your situation and decide which of the following actions you intend to do:
A: Extend your current temporary resident status
This applies to you if you intend to do any of the following:
- Extend your stay in Canada as a visitor
- Extend your current stay in Canada as a worker
- Extend your current stay in Canada as a student
B: Change your temporary resident status
This applies to you if you intend to do any of the following:
- Change your current visitor visa to a work permit
- Change your LMIA-based work permit to an open work permit
- Change your study permit to an open work permit
C: Restore your status
If you lost your status in Canada less than 90 days ago, you can request its reinstatement. This applies to the following statuses:
- Temporary visitor status
- Temporary status
- Temporary student status
Step 2: Gather the Right Documents
You must gather the appropriate documents before creating and submitting your application to extend, modify or reinstate your status under Iran’s Temporary Residency Policy. The checklist of forms and documents for the different statuses is summarized below.
Document Checklist for Temporary Visitors
Document Checklist for Workers
As a foreign worker in Canada, you must complete and submit the following forms:
Document Checklist for Students
As a foreign student in Canada, you must complete and submit the following forms:
Step 3: Complete your online application
Next, you must complete your online application. Scan and upload the appropriate documents to the “Supporting Documents” section of the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
Upload a scan of your Iranian passport in the “Passport” section. Upload the letter stating that you are exempt from paying fees under the Iranian Special Measures in the “Proof of Fee Exemption” section.
Step 4: Application and payment of biometric data
This section contains the question, “There is a fee associated with this request. Will you pay your fees or will you be exempt? »
You must select “No, I am waived the fee for this request”. Once this is complete, IRCC will receive your application and will contact you when it has processed it and made a decision.
Iranian nationals residing in Canada can rest easy knowing that they benefit from significant support from the Canadian government. If you currently have a valid Canadian visitor visa for Iranian nationals or wish to immigrate to Canada as an Iranian, please contact Elaar Immigration.
Our regulated Canadian immigration consultants are up to date with the latest IRCC policies and regulations for Iranians and can guide you on next steps. Continue your stay in Canada legally with the advice of Elaar Immigration.