Foreign nationals who apply to immigrate or to come to Canada have to meet the admissibility requirements set out by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). If a foreign national has been found to have engaged in acts of terrorism and or affiliated, being member or engaged to designated entities, they will be found inadmissible to Canada.
On June 19, 2024, the Minister of Public Safety designated the Islamic Revolutionary Guards Corps (IRGC) as a terrorist entity pursuant to section 83.05 of the Criminal Code of Canada.
Furthermore, on September 15, 2024, the Minister of Public Safety designated the Iranian regime—effective June 23, 2003 onward—including senior members of the IRGC. This designation renders senior officials in the regime inadmissible to Canada pursuant to paragraph A35(1)(b) of IRPA.
There remains a risk that individuals associated with the Iranian regime and or the IRGC and affiliated entities may misrepresent or conceal their roles in order to obtain status in Canada.
In order to identify these individuals, the Government of Canada is conducting comprehensive security assessments to detect possible risk and threats. Complexity of these applications may increase processing timelines.
Key Facts and Figures
Foreign nationals who require a visa to travel to Canada undergo a preliminary security assessment by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), including the collection of biometrics and personal information to verify identity and assess inadmissibility on grounds, such as national security or human rights violations. Fingerprints are screened against domestic and international immigration and criminal databases, including records of known criminals, previous refugee claimants, deported individuals, and prior immigration applicants.
Using their knowledge and expertise and reviewing risk indicators, IRCC officers identify security risks and/or inadmissibility concerns. Where a comprehensive security assessment is required to make a decision, the case is referred to security partners for further assessment against intelligence agencies' resources and databases.
There are many complex factors involved in processing applications on a case‑by‑case basis, including assessing risk factors related to background and geopolitical circumstances, while taking into account ongoing challenges faced by individuals affected by global crises or conflicts. The complexity of an application may impact the assessment timelines.
Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is responsible for in-Canada immigration enforcement activities. The removal of foreign nationals that are found inadmissible as per the IRPA is an integral part of CBSA's security mandate.
Since designation of the regime and IRGC, CBSA and IRCC has reviewed approximately 17,800 applications for potential inadmissibility; 239 visas have been cancelled by IRCC; 32 Iranian senior officials have been reported inadmissible; three have been deemed inadmissible by the Immigration Refugee Board and CBSA has removed oneFootnote 1.
Current Measures for Iranians in Canada
In response to the instability and systemic human rights violations in Iran, IRCC introduced special measures in February 2023, to support Iranian temporary residents in Canada. Iranian nationals were eligible to apply for fee exempt work and study permits and status extensions until February 28, 2025.
As part of the extension in March 2025, IRCC reinstated standard fees and imposed an eligibility requirement for clients to have been in Canada on or before February 28, 2025.
The most recent public policy took effect on March 1, 2026, to provide facilitated access to work permit renewals from within Canada for Iranian nationals who hold a valid work permit that was issued on or before February 28, 2025, providing them with continued access to employment in Canada.
Iranian nationals seeking to extend their stay as a visitor or to extend their study permit may apply through regular in-Canada processes.
