The Canadian Government has a long history of championing human rights for people globally. The Government recently introduced a temporary public policy to help Iranian nationals prolong their stay in Canada and avoid returning to their home country 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 have now been extended until February 28, 2025. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that although the demonstrations in Iran have subsided, the situation in the country remains precarious.
This guide will discuss how Iranians can use this new policy and the steps to apply it through different categories.
- Iran is a top source country for Canadian citizens
- Extend Temporary Status: Iranians in Canada can extend their current temporary resident status.
- Switch Status Stream: Iranians can change their temporary resident status stream.
- Waive Fees: Iranians applying in specific categories are exempt from fees.
- Decide How to Apply: Choose between extending current status, changing status, or restoring lost status within 90 days.
- Gather Documents: Depending on the category (Temporary Visitors, Workers, Students), gather necessary documents like application forms, passport copies, exemption letter, marriage certificate (if applicable), proof of financial support, etc.
- Complete Online Application: Scan and upload documents on the IRCC website’s “Supporting Documents” section.
- Application and Biometrics Payment: Select fee exemption and wait for processing and decision.
How Can Iranian Temporary Residents Use This Policy?
The tens of thousands of Iranians temporarily residing in Canada can use this new policy to extend their stay in Canada for free. They can do this in one of the following ways:
Extending Your Current Temporary Status
Iranians who have temporary status in Canada can apply to extend their status. This includes Iranian students with study permits, Iranian professionals with work permits, and Iranian visitors with temporary visitor visas.
Changing Your Temporary Resident Status
Iranians are also eligible to change their temporary status. This means they can go from being a student with a study permit to a foreign worker with work permit. This temporary status change could be useful for Iranian students who have graduated.
Similarly, you can utilize the Canada visitor visa to work permit policy for Iran nationals if you’re visiting relatives in Canada and would like to start working there.
Who is eligible for this policy?
Iranian foreign nationals must meet a few requirements to be eligible for this new policy. The three types of individuals the new policy caters to are:
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following:
- Have applied to extend their temporary resident status according to Regulations’ section 181
- Have applied for a temporary resident permit
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following:
- Have applied to extend their temporary resident status according to Regulations’ section 181
- Have applied for both a temporary resident permit and a Canadian work permit according to Regulations’ sections 200 or 201
Iranian nationals residing in Canada under temporary resident status meet one of the following:
- Have applied to extend their temporary resident status according to Regulations’ section 181
- Have applied for both a temporary resident permit and a Canadian study permit according to Regulations’ sections 216 or 217
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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 Intend to Apply for the New Policy for Iranians
You may need to follow a specific application route depending on how you plan to use the new policy for Iranians. You should review your circumstances and decide which of the following you intend to do:
A: Extend Your Current Temporary Resident Status
This applies to you if you intend to do one 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 one of the following:
- Change your current visitor visa to a work permit
- Change your LMIA-based work permit to an open worker 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 apply to restore it. This applies to the following statuses:
- Temporary visitor status
- Temporary worker status
- Temporary student status
Step 2: Gather the Right Documents
You must gather the appropriate documents before creating and submitting your application to extend, change, or restore your status under the Iranian temporary resident policy. The forms and documents checklist for different statuses is summarized below.
Document Checklist for Temporary Visitors
- As a temporary visitor in Canada, you must complete and submit the following forms:
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (IMM 5708)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475), if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable
You must also gather and submit copies of the following documents:
- A letter stating that you are exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures.
- Photocopies of your passport’s pages. This includes the pages displaying your passport number, the passport’s date of issue and expiration, full name and birthdate, the stamp showing your most recent entry into Canada, and any other pages with markings.
- Photocopies of any identity or travel documents. You could use your birth certificate or citizenship certificate if you didn’t enter Canada with a passport.
- A photocopy of your temporary visitor visa, if you still have it.
- Your marriage certificate’s photocopy, if you are married.
- Proof that you have a means of financial support
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Document Checklist for Workers
As a foreign worker in Canada, you must complete and submit the following forms:
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM 5709)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475), if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable
Custodianship Declaration – Custodian for Minors Studying in Canada (IMM 5646), if you are a minor
You must also gather and submit copies of the following documents:
- A letter stating that you are exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures.
- Photocopies of your passport’s pages. This includes the pages displaying your passport number, the passport’s date of issue and expiration, full name and birthdate, the stamp showing your most recent entry into Canada, and any other pages with markings.
- Photocopies of any identity or travel documents. You could use your birth certificate or citizenship certificate if you didn’t enter Canada with a passport.
- A photocopy of your study permit, if you still have it.
- Your marriage certificate’s photocopy, if you are married.
- Proof that you are accepted or enrolled at a Canadian College or University
- Proof that you have positive academic standing. This includes a letter from your College or
- University and transcript photocopies from your last two semesters.
- Proof that you have a means of financial support
Document Checklist for Students
As a foreign student in Canada, you must complete and submit the following forms:
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476), if applicable
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM 5475), if applicable
- Statutory Declaration of Common-law Union (IMM 5409), if applicable
You must also gather and submit copies of the following documents:
- A letter stating that you are exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures.
- Photocopies of your passport’s pages. This includes the pages displaying your passport number, the passport’s date of issue and expiration, full name and birthdate, the stamp showing your most recent entry into Canada, and any other pages with markings.
- Photocopies of any identity or travel documents. You could use your birth certificate or citizenship certificate if you didn’t enter Canada with a passport.
- A photocopy of your current work permit, if you still have it.
- Your marriage license’s photocopy, if you are married.
- Proof that you have a means of financial support
- If applicable, the Unique Client Identifier (UCL) number of the family member who is the application’s primary applicant.
- A photocopy of your Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) and your job offer letter if your employer completed a positive LMIA
- A photocopy of your employment contract, if you are working as a live-in caregiver
- Certificat d’acceptation du Québec if you are employed in Québec
Step 3: Complete Your Online Application
Next, you must complete your online application. Scan and upload the appropriate documents on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website’s “Supporting Documents” section.
Upload a scan of your Iranian passport under the “Passport” section. Upload the letter stating you are exempt from paying fees under the Iranian special measures under the “Proof of Fee Exemption” section.
Step 4: Application and Biometrics Payment
This section contains the question, “There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees, or are you fee exempt?”
You must select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.” Once this is complete, IRCC will receive your application and contact you when they have processed it and reached a decision.
Take Complete Advantage of this Policy
Need help?
Iranian nationals residing in Canada can rest easy knowing they have plenty of Canadian government support. If you currently have a valid Canada visitor visa for Iranian nationals or would like to immigrate to Canada as an Iranian, please contact Elaar Immigration.
Our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants are up-to-speed with IRCC’s latest policies and regulations for Iranians and can guide you on the next steps. Continue your stay in Canada legally with Elaar Immigration’s guidance.
