Special Measures for Iranian Temporary Residents
Posted on 05/03/2023
The IRCC has now extended pathways for Iranian citizens to remain in Canada – temporarily and with the option of applying for an open work permit. This continues Canada’s commitment to human rights as demonstrated by the pathways made available for Hong Kong residents in reaction to developments in Hong Kong and China.
The government of Canada has announced that Iranian citizens temporarily in Canada will have the ability to extend their status in Canada as well as move between different temporary streams in order to avoid returning to their home country given the political situation there. For example, even though you’re in Canada on a visitor visa, you can apply for a work permit, without having to leave Canada.
As of March 1, 2023, Iranians temporarily in Canada can apply from within Canada for a new work, study, or visitor permit in order to remain in the country. Priority will be given to these applications and an open work permit pathway will also be made available to Iranians already in Canada.
Additionally, Canadians or permanent residents of Canada currently in Iran will have their passport fees and permanent resident travel document fees waived. They can also apply for free for their Canadian Citizenship Certificate.
These measures will remain in effect until February 28, 2024.
How to Apply
The application process depends on if you are an Iranian national in Canada or a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Iran, as well as what type of permit you are applying for, and whether you are applying online or on paper.
| Iranian National in Canada | |
| Extend Current Temporary Resident Status – Visitor – Online application | Need: valid Iranian passport & valid temporary status in Canada
· Apply online here for visitor record · Select: No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application when asked about paying fees · Upload a copy of your Iranian passport under Passport · Upload a letter saying I am exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures under Proof of Fee Exemption Your status will be maintained while your application is being processed, even if your current permit expires. |
| Extend Current Temporary Resident Status – Worker – online application | Need valid Iranian passport & valid temporary status in Canada
· Go here to fill in the online application to extend your work permit · Select: No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application when asked about paying fees · Upload a copy of your Iranian passport under Passport · Upload a letter saying I am exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures under Proof of Fee Exemption · Your status will be maintained while your application is being processed, even if your current permit expires. |
| Extend Current Temporary Resident Status – Student – online application | Need valid Iranian passport & valid temporary status in Canada
· Go here to fill in the online application to extend your work permit · Select: No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application when asked about paying fees · Upload a copy of your Iranian passport under Passport · Upload a letter saying I am exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures under Proof of Fee Exemption Your status will be maintained while your application is being processed, even if your current permit expires. |
| Extend Current Temporary Resident Status – Temporary Resident Permit holder – online application | · If applying for a work permit see above on Worker applications
· If applying for a study permit see above on Student applications · If applying to extend your temporary resident status – see above on Visitor applications
|
| Change Current Temporary Resident Status – online application | · If changing to a visitor see Visitor above
· If changing to a student see Student above · If changing to a worker see Worker above |
| Restore your status in Canada | There are NO SPECIAL MEASURES for Iranians who wish to restore their status. Processing times will be the same as for anyone else and fees must be paid. Try to ensure you apply to restore your status before 90 days from the date your status expired. |
| Extend Current Temporary Resident Status – Visitor, Student, Worker, Temporary Resident Permit Holder – on paper | Only certain people can apply on paper. Most people will have to apply online. Contact the customer support centre for more information.
· Choose the option: get urgent help in a crisis, emergency, or vulnerable situation |
| Change Current Temporary Resident Status – Visitor, Student, Worker, Temporary Resident Permit Holder – on paper | Only certain people can apply on paper. Most people will have to apply online. Contact the customer support centre for more information.
Choose the option: get urgent help in a crisis, emergency, or vulnerable situation |
| Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents living in Iran | |
| Applying for Canadian Passport | · Contact nearest Canadian embassy or consulate (go here to search through a list) and explain your situation to them.
· Explain you need to travel urgently. You might be given an urgent travel document rather than a passport. · Your travel document will have a 1-year validity
|
| Canadian Citizenship Certificate – online application | · Need to be a Canadian citizen living in Iran and need to confirm your citizenship to get a Canadian passport or travel document
· Go here to apply online · Register for an IRCC Secure online account or sign in if you already have one. · Select electronic citizenship certificate from the menu · Once approved, you’ll get instructions how to download your electronic citizenship certificate to your IRCC secure account · Applying instead for a paper certificate will cause delays · In the Supporting Documents Section under Client Information, upload a signed letter – called an attestation – explaining your situation · You have to pay the fees but once your application is processed, as long as you include a letter of attestation, your fees will be automatically refunded · If you are replacing a Citizenship Card you will be given an electronic citizenship certificate |
| Canadian Citizenship Certificate – paper application | · Need to be a Canadian citizen living in Iran and need to confirm your citizenship to get a Canadian passport or travel document
· Go here to complete the paper application. · Include a signed letter – called an attestation – with your application · Select electronic citizenship certificate from the menu · You do NOT have to pay the fees · Once approved, you’ll get instructions how to download your electronic citizenship certificate to your IRCC secure account · Applying instead for a paper certificate will cause delays · Write IRAN 2023 on the envelope AND on the first page or covering document of your application. · Submit your application to the nearest embassy or consulate abroad. Go here to search through a list. · Citizenship cards will be replaced with electronic citizenship certificates |
| Permanent Resident Travel Document application | · Need to be a permanent resident of Canada living in Iran and need a permanent resident travel document to travel
· Go here to apply for a permanent resident travel document · You do NOT need to pay a Fee · If you apply ONLINE, in the Proof of Payment Section include an attachment that says IRAN 2023 · If you apply ON PAPER write IRAN 2023 on the envelope and the first page of your application or the covering document. Submit your application at the nearest Visa Application Centre (VAC) – go here for VAC information |
SOURCES:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/iran.html
https://travel.gc.ca/assistance/embassies-consulates
Posted in News Tips and tagged Open Work Permit
