2025 wildfires in Canada: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship measures

If you are directly affected by the wildfires, you may be eligible for a refund depending on

• what you applied for
• when you applied

Eligible refunds

You can ask for a refund if you applied to replace a

• passport or travel document
• citizenship certificate
• PR card

You’re not eligible for a refund if you applied before July 2, 2025 to

• replace a temporary resident document (visa, study permit, work permit or temporary resident permit),
• restore your temporary resident status
• extend your temporary resident status

Eligibility period

To be eligible for a refund to replace a passport or travel document, citizenship certificate or PR card, you must have applied on or after April 1, 2025.

Request a refund

If you’re eligible, find out how to ask for a refund (opens in a new tab)

If you’re directly affected by the wildfires, you don’t need to pay the processing fees to

• replace a lost, damaged or destroyed document
• extend or restore your temporary resident status

1. Answer a few questions to make sure you can apply online (opens in a new tab) 
2. If you can apply online, you’ll find a Create an account or sign in button.
   • If you don’t already have an IRCC secure account, you’ll need to create one.
3. Write and sign a letter (attestation) that explains how you’re affected by the wildfires. Include the code “WFF2025” in your letter.
   • Upload this letter under Client Information in the Supporting Documents section of your account.
4. If it applies, provide a copy of your proof of residence in an affected area, such as:
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
5. Upload your proof under Client Information in the Supporting Documents section.

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

1. Complete the paper application for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab) 
2. Write and sign a letter (attestation) that explains how you’re affected by the wildfires. Include this letter with your application.
3. If it applies, provide a copy of your proof of residence in an affected area, such as
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
4. Don’t pay the fee or include a receipt.
5. Write “wildfires25” on both
   • the envelope and
   • the first page or covering document of your application

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

1. Complete the application for the passport you need
   • an adult passport renewal (opens in a new tab) 
     • Leave section 4 (Period of validity) blank.
   • a child passport (opens in a new tab) 
2. Get 2 new passport photos (opens in a new tab) .
   • You must pay for the photos yourself.
3. Don’t pay any processing fees or include a receipt.
4. Complete the declaration for a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document [PPTC 203] (PDF, 120 KB).
5. Include one of these documents
   • a Declaration Disaster Assistance [PPTC 626] (PDF, 51.3KB) form
   • proof of residence in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
6. Include your (or your child’s) original passport, if available (even if it’s damaged)
7. Submit your application by mail, at a passport office, or a Service Canada Centre
   • adult passport renewal (opens in a new tab) 
   • child passport (opens in a new tab) 

1. Complete the adult or child travel document application (opens in a new tab) .
2. Get 2 new passport photos (opens in a new tab) .
   • You must pay for the photos yourself.
3. Don’t pay any processing fees or include a receipt.
4. Complete the declaration for a lost, stolen, inaccessible, damaged or found Canadian travel document [PPTC 203] (PDF, 120 KB).
5. Include one of these documents
   • a Declaration Disaster Assistance [PPTC 626] (PDF, 51.3KB) form
   • proof of residence in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
6. Submit your application (opens in a new tab) 

Follow the steps to replace your PR card (opens in a new tab)  with these changes.

• Don’t pay any fees or include a receipt.
• Include a Solemn declaration concerning a lost, stolen, destroyed or never received Permanent Resident Card (PR Card) (IMM 5451)(opens in a new tab)  form with your application.
• Write and sign a letter (attestation) that
  • explains how you’re affected by the wildfires.
  • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
• Upload this letter under proof of payment in the portal.
• If you’d like to be considered for urgent processing
  • Select “Yes, my request is urgent”
  • Under “Reason”, select “You are in a crisis, emergency, or vulnerable situation”
  • Upload your letter explaining how you’re affected by the wildfires here as well.

You can replace a lost, damaged or destroyed visitor visa for free if it is still valid for 30 days or more. Your replacement visa will have the same expiration date as your original visa.

If your passport was also lost, damaged or destroyed, you’ll need to replace it first.

You need to send us a web form(opens in a new tab) 

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Replace a lost, stolen or destroyed document and Continue to form
• Under “What did you apply for?”, choose Temporary residence
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Under “Upload file(s) that support your situation”
  • Write and sign a letter (attestation) that explains how you’re affected by the wildfires.
  • If it applies, include a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
    • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
    • a utility bill
    • a hotel receipt
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

There are no special measures to help you replace your visitor visa. You need to follow the usual steps to apply and pay the fees.

• Apply for a visitor visa (opens in a new tab) 

1. Complete the application for a verification of status (VOS) or replacement of an immigration document (opens in a new tab) .
2. Don’t pay any fees or include a receipt.
3. Write and sign a letter (attestation) that explains how you’re affected by the wildfires. Include this letter with your application.
   • If you’d like to be considered for urgent processing, include your reasoning in the letter,
4. If it applies, include a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
5. Write “wildfires25” on both
   • the envelope and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Send your application by mail to the Operations Support Centre in Ottawa, Ontario (opens in a new tab) .

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

1. Complete the online application for a visitor record (opens in a new tab) .
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) )
   Choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” in your online application, when you’re asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the Supporting documents section, under Proof of fee exemption:
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
   • If it applies, a copy of your proof of residence in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

1. Complete the paper application for a visitor record(opens in a new tab) 
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) ).
3. Include a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that explains how the wildfires affect you.
4. If it applies, include a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
5. Write “WILDFIRES25” on both
   • the envelope and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Submit your completed application to the address given in the application package.

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

1. Complete the online application to extend your worker status (opens in a new tab) .
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) ).
   Choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” in your online application, when you’re asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the Supporting documents section, under Proof of fee exemption:
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
     • lists the name and address of your employer in the affected area, if this applies
   • if it applies, a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay and work in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring work permit.

1. Complete the paper application to extend your worker status(opens in a new tab) 
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) ).
3. Include a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
   • explains how the wildfires affect you.
   • lists the name and address of your employer in the affected area, if this applies
4. If it applies, include a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
5. Write “WILDFIRES25” on both
   • the envelope and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Submit your completed application to the address given in the application package.

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay and work in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring work permit.

1. Complete the application to extend your student status (opens in a new tab) .
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) ).
   Choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” in your online application, when you’re asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the Supporting documents section under Proof of fee exemption:
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
     • includes the name and address of your DLI if it’s in an affected area
   • if it applies, a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s license or other government-issued identify document with your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
   • if it applies, proof that your DLI is currently closed due to the wildfires, such as
     • a signed letter from your DLI on school letterhead
     • a media article
     • an email to students stating that classes are suspended
     • a copy of a notice posted on the DLI’s website

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

1. Complete the paper application to extend your student status (opens in a new tab) 
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) )
3. Include a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
   • explains how the wildfires affect you.
   • lists the name and address of your designated learning institute (DLI) if it’s in an affected area
4. If it applies, include a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
   • your driver’s license or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
   • a utility bill
   • a hotel receipt
5. If it applies, include proof that your DLI is currently closed due to the wildfires, such as
   • a signed letter from your DLI on school letterhead
   • a media article
   • an email to students stating that classes are suspended
   • a copy of a notice posted on the DLI’s website
6. Write “Wildfires25” on both
   • the envelope and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
7. Submit your completed application to the address given in the application package.

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed

You are considered to have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

1. Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder (IMM 5708) (opens in a new tab) 
   • Under section 3, at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit”.
2. Complete the Document Checklist: Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 5557) (opens in a new tab) 
3. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) )
4. Include
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
   • if it applies, a copy of your proof of residence in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s licence or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
5. Write “WILDFIRES25” on both
   • the envelope, and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Submit your completed application to this address:
   New Waterford Digitization Centre
   P.O. Box 8400
   Sydney, NS
   B1P 0G6

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

1. Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710) (opens in a new tab) 
   • Under Section 3, at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit”.
2. Complete the Document Checklist: Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 5557) (opens in a new tab) 
3. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) ).
4. Include
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
     • lists the name and address of your employer in the affected area, if this applies
   • if it applies, a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s licence or another government-issued identity document that lists your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
5. Write “WILDFIRES25” on both
   • the envelope, and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Submit your completed application to this address:
   New Waterford Digitization Centre
   P.O. Box 8400
   Sydney, NS
   B1P 0G6

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information

1. Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student (IMM 5709) (opens in a new tab) 
   • Under section 3, at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit”.
2. Complete the Document Checklist: Temporary Resident Permit (IMM 5557) (opens in a new tab) 
3. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) ).
4. Include
   • a letter you wrote and signed (attestation) that
     • explains how the wildfires affect you.
     • includes this sentence: “I am exempt from paying fees under the WFF2025 special measures.”
     • lists the name and address of your designated learning institution (DLI) in the affected area, if this applies
   • if it applies, a copy of your proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
     • your driver’s licence or other government-issued identify document with your home address
     • a utility bill
     • a hotel receipt
   • if it applies, proof that your DLI is currently closed due to the wildfires, such as
     • a signed letter from your DLI on school letterhead
     • a media article
     • an email to students stating that classes are suspended
     • a copy of a notice posted on the DLI’s website
5. Write “WILDFIRES25” on both
   • the envelope, and
   • the first page or covering document of your application
6. Submit your completed application to this address:
   New Waterford Digitization Centre
   P.O. Box 8400
   Sydney, NS
   B1P 0G6

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab)  to let us know you applied and ask to be considered for urgent processing.

• Under “What would you like to do?”, choose Request Priority Processing for my existing application and Continue to form
• Under “Tell us about your situation”, type “WFF2025”.
• Complete all other required fields.

You can also use the same web form if you

• need help or have any questions
• need to update your contact information