Temporary measures for Sudanese nationals in Canada

Due to the current situation in Sudan, you can apply to extend your stay in Canada, for free. You can apply to

• extend your current temporary resident status
• change your temporary resident status (for example, from a visitor to a worker)

On this page:

• Apply online to extend your status as a visitor
• Apply online to extend your status as a worker
• Apply online to extend your status as a student
• Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit
  • Apply to extend your current temporary resident status
  • Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit and a work or study permit
• Apply to change your status to a visitor, worker or student
• Apply to restore your status
• How to contact us
  • Use our web form
  • Canadian citizens impacted by the situation in Sudan
• Related links

Apply online to extend your status as a visitor

You can extend your status for free if

• you have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• you’re a Sudanese national with a valid Sudanese passport

You need to apply for a visitor record to extend your visitor status. A visitor record is different from a visitor visa.

If you want to work or study

If you want to apply for a work or study permit, you need to apply to change your status instead.

How to apply online for a visitor record

1. Complete the online application for a visitor record(opens in a new tab) 
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) )
   • To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section
   • Under “Passport”, upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
   • Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.

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.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply online to extend your status as a worker

You can extend your status for free if

• you have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan

How to apply online

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 fee (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) )
   • To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section
   • Under “Passport”, upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
   • Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.

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.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply online to extend your status as a student

You can extend your status for free if

• you have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan

How to apply online

1. Complete the online application to extend your student status(opens in a new tab) 
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) )
   • To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section
   • Under “Passport”, upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
   • Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.

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.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit

We only grant a temporary resident permit in exceptional circumstances to a person who does not meet the requirements to enter or stay temporarily in Canada. Before continuing, make sure you’re a temporary resident permit holder.

Apply to extend your current temporary resident status

You can apply for another temporary resident permit for free if

• you have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan

How to apply on paper

1. Complete the paper application to remain in Canada as a temporary resident permit holder(opens in a new tab) .
2. When completing form IMM 5708, under section 3 at the top of the form choose “Get a new temporary resident permit.”
3. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) ).
   • Include these required documents with your application:
     • A copy of your Sudanese passport
     • A letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
4. Write “SD2023” on the envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit and a work or study permit

You can apply for another temporary resident permit for free if

• you have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan

How to apply on paper

1. Complete the paper application for the permit you want to apply for:
   1. paper application to change conditions or extend your stay as a worker(opens in a new tab) 
   2. paper application to change conditions or extend your stay as a student(opens in a new tab) 
2. When completing form IMM 5710, under section 3 at the top of the form choose
   1. “Get a new temporary resident permit” and either
      • the type of work permit you’re applying for or
      • “Apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit”
3. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) ).
   1. Include these required documents with your application:
      • A copy of your Sudanese passport
      • A letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
4. Write “SD2023” on the envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.

If your temporary resident permit expires after you apply

You have not maintained your status in Canada if your current temporary resident permit expires before we process your application for a new one.

You can’t legally work or study in Canada until we issue you another temporary resident permit and a work or study permit.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply to change your status to a visitor, worker or student

You can apply to change your status in Canada for free to a

• visitor
• worker or
• student

To be eligible, you must

• have valid temporary resident status in Canada and
• be a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan

How to apply online

1. Complete the application below that applies to the status you want to hold in Canada

• online application for a visitor record(opens in a new tab) 
• online application to extend or change the conditions on your work permit(opens in a new tab) 
  • When filling out form IMM 5710
    • under Details of intended work in Canada, choose “Open Work Permit” for question 1.
    • you don’t need to provide employer details or ask your employer to complete any steps before you apply
• online application to extend or restore 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) )

• To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.

3. Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section

• Under “Passport”, upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
• Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.

If you apply to change your status and your current status 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.

If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form

Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form(opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Apply to restore your status

There are no special measures to help you restore your temporary resident status if it has expired.

If it has been less than 90 days since your status expired, you may be able to apply to restore it. Regular fees and processing times would apply.

If we approve your application to restore your status, you may then be eligible to apply to extend or change your status under these special measures.

Find out how to restore your

• visitor status
• worker status
• student status

How to contact us

Use our web form

To make sure we prioritize your question:

1. use this web form
2. in the “Tell us about your situation” box
   1. describe your situation, including what you need help with
   2. add the keyword "SD2023" at the end of your description

Canadian citizens impacted by the situation in Sudan

Follow Canada’s safety and security advice and sign up with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service to get important updates on the situation.

If you’re a Canadian citizen who wants to leave Sudan, contact Global Affairs Canada's Emergency Watch and Response Centre

• by calling +1 613-996-8885
• by text message at +1 613-686-3658
• via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881
• via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad
• by email at sos@international.gc.ca

Related links:

• Canada’s response to the crisis in Sudan