Maple News reports that Canada has officially extended its special immigration measures for Iranian nationals holding temporary resident status in the country. Initially introduced in February 2023 during a time of political unrest in Iran, these measures were set to expire last week. However, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has now confirmed the extension will remain in place until February 28, 2025, citing ongoing instability in Iran as a reason for the continuation.
The extension reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to offering humanitarian support to foreign nationals affected by crises in their home countries. Iranian citizens currently in Canada on temporary visas, such as work permits, study permits, or visitor visas, will benefit from facilitated processes and reduced costs associated with maintaining or changing their immigration status.
Key provisions under the extended policy include simplified procedures for renewing stay authorizations from within Canada, fee waivers for certain immigration applications, and priority processing for Iranian nationals. Additionally, a special open work permit pathway is available for eligible Iranians, allowing them to work for almost any employer in Canada without the need for a job offer in advance.
Among the waived fees are costs related to temporary resident permit applications, extension applications, and biometric collection. Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently in Iran are also eligible for waived fees when applying for Canadian passports or permanent resident travel documents to facilitate their travel back to Canada.
To qualify, applicants must be Iranian citizens holding a valid Iranian passport and possess valid temporary resident status at both the time of their application and when a decision is made by IRCC.
Furthermore, applicants can switch between temporary residence streams — such as from visitor status to a study or work permit — without having to pay the usual fees. Individuals transitioning between permits will retain their legal status as long as a new application has been submitted before the expiration of their current one.
Iran continues to be one of the top source countries for Canadian immigrants. Data from the Institute for Canadian Citizenship shows Iranians ranked fifth among all nationalities who became Canadian citizens between January and September 2023. In addition, IRCC reported that by the end of 2023, over 14,700 Iranian nationals held Canadian study permits, while more than 10,600 had become permanent residents.
With these supportive measures, Canada reaffirms its role as a destination that upholds humanitarian values while providing opportunities for highly skilled and educated individuals from around the globe.