Temporary measures to support nationals of Sudan in Canada
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Note: These special processing measures have been extended until October 27, 2025.
These program delivery instructions (PDIs) provide operational guidance related to temporary measures to support Sudanese nationals who are already in Canada on a temporary basis and can’t return home at this time. These measures waive certain processing fees to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay and facilitate the issuance of fee-exempt open work permits (OWPs), study permits (SPs), and/or temporary resident permits (TRPs) for Sudanese nationals in Canada.
All standard eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempt under these measures must be met by applicant. Applicants who do not meet these requirements may have their applications refused.
These measures commenced on April 30, 2023 and expire on October 27, 2025.
On this page
Background
On April 15, 2023, armed conflict erupted between two rival factions in Sudan, resulting in heavy fighting in Khartoum and other parts of the country. The humanitarian crisis affecting Sudanese civilians is worsening as the civil war continues.
Many Sudanese nationals have chosen to come to Canada to visit, study, or work. Some of these temporary residents may be unable to return to Sudan at this time, and may wish to prolong their stay. These measures will allow those who wish to extend their temporary stay in Canada to do so without fees and to move between temporary resident streams.
Eligibility
Under these measures, the following applicants may be eligible:
- a national of Sudan who is in Canada with valid temporary resident status and who applies to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay as one of the following:
- worker
- student
- visitor
or
- for a new or subsequent temporary resident permit
Important: To be eligible for facilitation under the Temporary public policy for nationals of Sudan in Canada as temporary residents when applying for a work permit, study permit, visitor record, or temporary resident permit, or to extend their existing temporary resident status, a foreign national must be physically in Canada with valid temporary resident status at the time of application under these measures and at the time that a decision is rendered.
Officers should confirm that the applicant has not left Canada before granting the fee exemption or the public policy open work permit. The Entry/Exit Program explains how officers confirm exit.
Note: Applicants who need to restore their temporary resident status are not included under these special measures and are not exempt from paying the restoration fee. Officers should refer to the Fee list.
The Temporary public policy for nationals of Sudan in Canada as temporary residents also waives the requirement for Sudanese nationals who have lost their passports in the conflict situation to hold a passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa to come to Canada. Officers should refer to the PDI on Temporary measures for overseas clients affected by the crisis in Sudan.
Program-specific measures
Fee waiver to extend or change temporary resident status in Canada
Sudanese nationals who are applying from within Canada and who have valid temporary resident status in Canada are eligible for a fee waiver when they apply to extend or change the conditions of their stay. They are also exempt from paying the biometric enrolment fee under these special measures. See below for more information about biometrics.
Officers may waive the following fees for eligible applicants under these temporary measures:
- extension of visitor status – exemption code ‘999’
- temporary resident permit – exemption code ‘999’
- biometrics – exemption code ‘B11’
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Officers may issue visitor extensions of up to 6 months or until passport or biometrics validity, whichever comes first.
Important: Sudanese nationals applying under these measures are instructed to upload a copy of their Sudanese passport, and under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” to upload a letter stating: “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 temporary measures.” The IRCC officer is responsible for applying the exemption code for fee waivers.
Clients who apply to extend or change the conditions of their stay before it expires, maintain their status as per R183(5) while their application is processed. Officers should refer to Temporary residents: Maintained status during processing (previously called implied status) for additional instructions. This does not apply to temporary resident permit (TRP) holders.
If the applicant is applying for a new or subsequent TRP, officers should refer to Temporary resident permits for additional guidance.
Fee waiver for issuance of work permits in Canada
These measures include a fee waiver for initial work permit applications, including open work permits, and work permit extensions in Canada.
Officers may waive the following fees for eligible applicants under these temporary measures:
- initial or renewal of work permit – exemption code ‘999’
- open work permit – exemption code ‘P03’
- temporary resident permit (if applicable) – exemption code ‘999’
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Note: If a client is applying for an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program, the employer must pay the employer compliance fee.
Regular work permit application
Applications submitted in the regular work permit categories under R204 to R208 for nationals of Sudan are fee-exempt but should be processed as per the instructions for the specific work permit category.
Applications submitted with an Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for nationals of Sudan are fee-exempt but should be processed as per the instructions: Labour Market Impact Assessment Review.
Public policy open work permit application
The public policy allows eligible temporary residents in Canada to submit an application for an open work permit while remaining in Canada. This will allow nationals of Sudan to support themselves until they are able to return to their home country.
Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for an open work permit under this public policy at a port of entry.
Officers should confirm that the applicant has not left Canada before granting the fee exemption or the public policy open work permit. The Entry/Exit Program explains how officers confirm exit.
Issuing open work permits in the GCMS
The instructions on this page should be reviewed in conjunction with the following:
Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides authority for the exemption from the substantive requirements for issuance of the permit under s. 200(1)(c) of IRPR. Applicants are still required to meet the other requirements for work permit issuance.
The open work permit is issued and is coded as follows:
| Field | Selection or input |
|---|---|
| Case Type | 20 |
| ORG ID | For Sudanese nationals in Canada: O155411542934 |
| Province of destination | Unknown |
| LMIA exemption code | R01 Public policies issued under A25.2 (inside Canada) |
| Employer | Open |
| Intended Occupation | Open |
| NOC | 99999 |
| Conditions | Officers should ensure that instructions provided in Work permit issuance in GCMS: Occupation or location restricted are followed. If the applicant has not completed a medical examination and
Officers can check if a country is IME designated here: Find out if you need a medical exam. |
| Biometrics | Work permit applicants are required to provide biometric information. The regular biometric exemptions apply (for example, age or 1 in 10). |
| User remarks (mandatory) | Permit issued under temporary measures to support nationals of Sudan in Canada |
| Duration | Officers hold the delegated authority to determine the authorized period of stay, but may consider issuing the work permit with a validity of up to 3 years or passport or biometric validity, whichever is first. |
Fee waiver for issuing study permits or study permit extensions in Canada
These measures include fee-exempt study permit applications or study permit extensions.
Note: Study permit applicants are required to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study unless they meet one of the exceptions. Eligible applicants applying for a study permit under these measures are exempt from these requirements based on a public policy as part of a migration response to a crisis.
Officers may waive the following fees for eligible applicants under these temporary measures:
- initial or renewal of study permit – exemption code ‘999’
- temporary resident permit (if applicable) – exemption code “999”
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Study permit extension validity must be tied to the specified period of study (and passport validity).
All applicants must submit their study permit or study permit extension application by following the instructions to extend their study permit. Clients who apply for an extension or to change their status before it expires will maintain their status while their application is being processed.
Officers should refer to Temporary Residents: Students for additional guidance.
Fee waivers for in-Canada biometrics
All individuals required to do so must provide their biometric information in support of their application. However, under these measures, officers may waive the biometrics enrolment fee. Officers must manually enter the biometric fee waiver code to issue a biometric instruction letter (BIL).
- biometric fee waiver code: B11
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
For more information on biometrics and fees
All other standard eligibility and admissibility requirements must be met by applicants.
Refusals for ineligible applicants
Officers may encounter applications submitted by applicants who are ineligible for these special measures. These applications should be refused.
If a refusal is warranted, officers should select “Other” ground, and include the following note before proceeding to refusal:
Individual does not meet the eligibility requirements as per the temporary public policy for nationals of Sudan in Canada as temporary residents.
Officers must also include this note under application remarks in GCMS, along with a justification for the refusal.
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