Conflict in Sudan - Temporary measures for family members in Canada
These measures have been extended
The temporary measures for family members in Canada have been extended until October 27, 2024.
Temporary measures are in place to help family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada apply for
- an open work permit
- a study permit
- permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child
If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you’re exempt from paying application fees, and your application will be processed on a priority basis.
Who’s eligible for the temporary measures
To be eligible for the temporary measures, you must meet all of the requirements below:
- You’re the family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada.
- You and your family member both left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023.
- You could have left together or separately.
- You’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- You entered Canada before July 15, 2023.
Definition of a family member
A family member is defined as a
- spouse or common-law partner (opens in a new tab)
- dependent child (opens in a new tab) (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s)
- dependent child of a dependent child (grandchild)
Temporary measures to apply for an open work permit
If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you
- can apply for an open work permit in Canada
- get priority processing on your application
- are exempt from paying the
- work permit fee
- open work permit holder fee
- biometrics fee
Apply online for an open work permit
You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.
If you can’t apply online
You can apply on paper if you meet one of the following exemptions:
- You can’t apply online because of a disability.
- There’s a barrier that
- prevents you from applying online or
- makes applying online unreliable
Contact us using our crisis web form if you can’t apply online.
Complete all required fields in the form and include “SD2023” in the text box.
Step 1: Get your documents ready
Prepare the forms and supporting documents listed below. You need to upload them to your account when you apply.
Tips for filling out the forms:
- Make sure you have Adobe Reader 10 or higher and have turned on JavaScript.
- If you have trouble downloading, saving or opening a form, visit our Help Centre (opens in a new tab).
- It’s easier to complete the forms on a computer.
- You don’t need to print and sign the forms to upload them to your online application. You sign your online application electronically (opens in a new tab).
Forms:
If you need help answering the questions in these forms, you can use our general instruction guide to apply for a work permit in Canada (opens in a new tab) :
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker [IMM 5710] (PDF, 0.59 MB)
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if you’re in a common-law relationship.
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.53 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if somebody is applying for you, and you want them to be the main contact on your behalf.
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 1.52 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if you want to allow us to release your personal information to someone else. This person will be able to get information on your case, for example, the status of your application.
When you fill out the work permit application form (IMM 5710):
- In the Details of Intended work in Canada section, 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.
Supporting documents:
- the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document if you have one
- a letter that states “I am exempt from paying biometric and application fees under the SD2023 special measures”
Step 2: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- submit your application forms
- check your status
Step 3. Start your online application
Once you sign in to your account, you need to follow these steps:
- Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page.
- Click Apply to come to Canada.
- On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
- Click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button.
Step 4. Complete the online questions to get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
When completing the online questions, make sure you answer these questions as follows:
- Answer “Work” when asked What would you like to do in Canada?
- Answer “Temporarily – more than 6 months” when asked How long are you planning to stay in Canada?
- Answer “yes” when asked:
Does one of the following apply to you?- I am the subject of a removal order that is unenforceable.
- I applied for a study or work permit, before entering Canada, that was approved but not issued at a port of entry.
- I am in primary or secondary school, or a visiting or exchange student in Canada with visitor status.
- I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.
- I am a student who has completed a program of study that is a prerequisite to my enrolment at a designated learning institution with visitor status in Canada.
- I applied for permanent residence and was found eligible (first-stage approval) under one of the following classes:
- spouse or common-law partner in Canada
- humanitarian and compassionate cases
- protected persons in Canada
- live-in caregiver in Canada
- When you get your results, choose “Open Work Permit”.
- Answer “No, I am exempt from paying application fees for this application.” to this question: There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?
Step 5. Upload your forms and supporting documents
Forms
- Upload your completed forms to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of forms that you need to upload.
Supporting documents
- Upload your supporting documents to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of required documents.
- Under “Passport”, upload the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload your letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.
After you apply
Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
In most cases, you need to give your biometrics if you haven’t given them in the last 10 years. If you need to give them, we’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL). Follow the instructions on your BIL.
Medical exam
You might need to get a medical exam if you
- plan to work in certain jobs
- plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months
If you need an exam, an officer will send you instructions on what to do.
Find more information about medical exams.
If your application is approved
We’ll mail the work permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The work permit will outline
- the type of work you can do
- how long you can work
If your mailing address changes before we approve your application, you must contact us to tell us your new address.
How to contact us
If you need to update your contact information or have questions, fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) :
- Complete all required fields.
- Include “SD2023” in the text box.
Temporary measures to apply for a study permit
If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you
- can apply for a study permit in Canada
- get priority processing on your application
- are exempt from paying the
- study permit fee
- biometrics fee
Before you can study at a post-secondary school in Canada
Before you can apply for a permit to study at a post-secondary school in Canada, you need to be accepted to a school that is on the designated learning institution (DLI) list.
Learn more about
Studying in Canada as a minor child
Minor children may be able to study in Canada without a study permit, but they can still apply for one if they like. Learn more about studying in Canada as a minor.
Apply online for a study permit
You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.
If you can’t apply online
You can apply on paper if you meet one of the following exemptions:
- You can’t apply online because of a disability.
- There’s a barrier that
- prevents you from applying online or
- makes applying online unreliable
Contact us using our crisis web form if you can’t apply online.
Complete all required fields in the form and include “SD2023” in the text box.
Step 1: Get your documents ready
Prepare the forms and supporting documents listed below. You need to upload them to your account when you apply.
Tips for filling out the forms:
- Make sure you have Adobe Reader 10 or higher and have turned on JavaScript.
- If you have trouble downloading, saving or opening a form, visit our Help Centre (opens in a new tab).
- It’s easier to complete the forms on a computer.
- You don’t need to print and sign the forms to upload them to your online application. You sign your online application electronically (opens in a new tab).
Forms:
If you need help answering the questions in these forms, you can use our general instruction guide to apply for a study permit in Canada (opens in a new tab) :
- Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Student [IMM 5709] (PDF, 0.49 MB)
- Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (PDF, 1.53 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if somebody is applying for you, and you want them to be the main contact on your behalf.
- Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (PDF, 1.52 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if you want to allow us to release your personal information to someone else. This person will be able to get information on your case, for example, the status of your application.
- Custodianship Declaration [IMM 5646] (PDF, 1.02MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form to appoint a custodian if the person studying in Canada is a minor and will be in Canada without a parent or legal guardian. The custodian is responsible for taking care of and supporting the minor child while in Canada.
- Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (PDF, 0.78 MB) – (if applicable)
- Complete this form if you’re in a common-law relationship.
Supporting documents:
- the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document, if you have one
- a letter that states “I am exempt from paying biometric and application fees under the SD2023 special measures”
- a letter of acceptance from the school that you’ll attend
- proof of financial support
- You must include documents to prove that you can support yourself and any dependent family members (children) who are with you in Canada.
You may need a Quebec Acceptance Certificate if you want to study in Quebec
If you want to study in Quebec for longer than 6 months, you need an attestation of issuance of your Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) issued by the Government of Quebec. Your school can tell you how to apply for the CAQ.
Find out about the process and the documents you need (opens in a new tab) for studying in Quebec.
Step 2: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- submit your application forms
- check your status
Step 3. Start your online application
Once you sign in to your account, you need to follow these steps:
- Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page.
- Click Apply to come to Canada.
- On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
- Click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button.
Step 4. Complete the online questions to get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
When completing the online questions, make sure you answer these questions as follows:
- Answer “Study” when asked What would you like to do in Canada?
- Answer “Temporarily – more than 6 months” when asked How long are you planning to stay in Canada?
- Answer “yes” when asked:
Does one of the following apply to you?- I am the subject of a removal order that is unenforceable.
- I applied for a study or work permit, before entering Canada, that was approved but not issued at a port of entry.
- I am in primary or secondary school, or a visiting or exchange student in Canada with visitor status.
- I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.
- I am a student who has completed a program of study that is a prerequisite to my enrolment at a designated learning institution with visitor status in Canada.
- I applied for permanent residence and was found eligible (first-stage approval) under one of the following classes:
- spouse or common-law partner in Canada
- humanitarian and compassionate cases
- protected persons in Canada
- live-in caregiver in Canada
- When you get your results, choose “Study Permit (in Canada)”.
Answer “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.” to the question: There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?
Step 5. Upload your forms and supporting documents
Forms
- Upload your completed forms to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of forms that you need to upload.
Supporting documents
- Upload your supporting documents to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of required documents.
- Under “Passport”, upload the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload your letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.
- Under “Proof of means of financial support”, upload documents to prove that you can support yourself and any dependent family members (children).
- If you have multiple documents, combine them into 1 document (opens in a new tab)
After you apply
Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)
In most cases, you need to give your biometrics if you haven’t given them in the last 10 years. If you need to give them, we’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL). Follow the instructions on your BIL.
Medical exam
You might need to get a medical exam if you
- plan to work in certain jobs
- plan to stay in Canada for more than 6 months
If you need an exam, an officer will send you instructions on what to do.
Find more information about medical exams.
If your application is approved
We’ll mail the study permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The study permit will outline all the conditions of your stay.
If your mailing address changes before we approve your application, you must contact us to tell us your new address.
How to contact us
If you need to update your contact information or have questions, fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) :
- Complete all required fields.
- Include “SD2023” in the text box.
Temporary measures to apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child
If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you
- can apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child in Canada
- get priority processing on your application
- are exempt from paying the
- sponsorship fee
- application for permanent residence fee
- right to permanent residence fee
- biometrics fee (if applicable)
How to apply
You must apply online using the Permanent Residence Portal.
Follow the steps to apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child (opens in a new tab) .
Tell us you’re exempt from paying the fees
Normally, you need to attach a receipt to your application as proof of payment. When we ask you to upload a receipt, tell us you’re exempt from paying fees by uploading a letter that states “SD2023 fee exemption measure: I confirm I left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023, and I entered Canada before July 15, 2023.”
If you can’t apply online
You can apply on paper if you meet one of the following exemptions:
- You can’t apply online because of a disability.
- There’s a barrier that
- prevents you from applying online or
- makes applying online unreliable
Contact us using our crisis web form if you can’t apply online.
Complete all required fields in the form and include “SD2023” in the text box.
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.
Page details
- Date modified: