Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended the deadline for temporary residents to restore their legal status in Canada. Individuals who held valid temporary status on or after January 30, 2020, but whose status expired on or before May 31, 2021, now have until August 31, 2021, to apply for restoration.
This measure is part of a special public policy first introduced on July 14, 2020, in response to COVID-19-related disruptions. Originally set to end in December 2020, the policy offers considerable relief to foreign nationals affected by travel restrictions and service delays.
Eligible applicants include international students, temporary workers, and tourists who remained in Canada after their status expired. Typically, individuals have 90 days to apply for restoration, but the policy provides a broader window due to the pandemic’s unprecedented impact on immigration processing services.
To qualify, applicants must have been physically present in Canada throughout the period in question and have lost their status within the defined timeframe. In addition, they must pay the necessary application processing fees when submitting their restoration requests.
The policy also introduces temporary work authorization for certain foreign nationals with pending work permit and restoration applications. Those who held a valid work permit in the 12 months prior to applying and who submitted employer-specific work permit applications may be authorized to begin working before a final decision is made.
To receive interim work authorization, applicants must have: applied for both status restoration and a new employer-specific work permit, paid all related government fees, submitted an IRCC webform to apply under this public policy, and clearly requested the exemption be applied.
Maple News notes an example provided by IRCC to clarify the policy. A temporary worker named Min, who lost her status in December 2020, submitted a proper restoration and work permit application on March 1, 2021. She would be eligible to work while awaiting a final decision. In contrast, someone like Oscar, who did not hold a valid work permit in the required timeframe, would not be eligible for the same interim authorization.
By extending this deadline, the Canadian government continues to demonstrate flexibility and support for foreign nationals whose status was impacted due to the global health crisis. The move aligns with Canada’s broader commitment to welcoming immigrants and maintaining a fair and compassionate immigration system during challenging times.