Special processing measures: Persons directly affected by the 2024 wildfires throughout Canada

These instructions provide operational guidance related to temporary special measures for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and temporary residents of Canada directly affected by the 2024 wildfire season in Canada.

These measures are effective July 19, 2024 and are in place until November 30, 2024. They apply to temporary resident clients applying to restore or extend their status, transition from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit, or to replace a status document in Canada. For Canadian citizens or permanent residents seeking to replace a passport, citizenship certificate or permanent resident card (PR card), these measures are retroactive to the first reported sightings of the fires in each affected area, as reported on the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre (CIFFC) website, and will remain in place until November 30, 2024.

To be eligible for consideration under these special measures, applications to replace documents or to extend or restore status must be made on or before November 30, 2024. For the purposes of these special measures, the postmark on envelopes containing paper applications will be considered as the date the application was made. For electronic applications, the IRCC submission date will be considered the received date.

Applications submitted under these special measures should be processed per regular service standards, unless deemed urgent based on existing specific line of business criteria.

Applicant instructions: Wildfires in Canada – Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship measures

On this page

• Background
• Affected area
• Processing
• Program-specific special measures
  • Temporary residents
  • Proof of citizenship
  • Canadian passports, certificates of identity or refugee travel documents
  • Permanent resident cards (PR cards)
  • Replacement of an immigration document (verification of status)
• Incomplete applications
• Immigration medical examinations (IMEs)

Background

Every year, typically between the months of May and September, wildfires burn in Canada’s forests. The Government of Canada forecasts a potentially catastrophic 2024 wildfire season and is preparing a proactive response.

Wildfires are tracked by the CIFFC, which is a not-for-profit registry owned by federal, provincial and territorial wildfire management agencies to help monitor wildfires and coordinate resources where needed. Key information about each reported wildfire is published regularly on the CIFFC website, which was recommended as a reference tool by Natural Resources Canada.

As a result of the Canadian wildfire season, Canadian passports and other documents belonging to Canadian citizens, protected persons, temporary residents and permanent residents may be lost, destroyed or damaged. In addition, foreign workers may find themselves temporarily out of work, and international students may be temporarily unable to continue their studies if their designated learning institution (DLI) is not accessible. Their transfer to another DLI could also be delayed pending the issuance of official documentation from a DLI in the affected area.

With respect to these potential disruptions in the status and authorizations of persons and the loss of immigration documents due to the emergency, under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), the minister has authorized the Temporary public policy concerning foreign nationals in Canada affected by Wildfires during the 2024 Wildfire Season (the public policy) with special measures for temporary residents in Canada.

Affected area

The precise geographical area affected by the Canadian wildfire season remains unpredictable. For the purpose of these operational instructions, these special measures are intended to be facilitative, and officers should use their discretion to assess how a client may have been impacted. In addition to the client’s attestation, officers may refer to the CIFFC’s wildfire tracking website for an updated and accurate indication of the affected area to assist in determining client eligibility under these special measures.

For example, a client could have been travelling with their passport outside of their area of residence and lost their documents as a result of the wildfires.

If officers have concerns with a client’s attestation, and wish to determine if a fire occurred in the location provided by the client, or to verify information about the fire (including dates), the following steps can be followed.

If it is an active fire

1. If it is an active burning fire (for example, out of control, under control, or being held), access the interactive map feature on the home page of the CIFFC website.
2. Zoom in to see the location of active fires to determine if they correspond with the address provided by the applicant.

If the fire is out

1. If the fire is out, search the longitude and latitude of the address provided by the applicant on Google Maps.
2. Access the National Fires Database, filter for the applicable province or territory under “Agency” and for fires listed as “Out” under “Sttage of Control”.
3. Search (Ctrl+F) for the relevant longitude and latitude to find evidence of a fire.

These special measures do not limit the authority of officers under section A25.1, and all applications are to be dealt with compassionately and assessed on a case-by-case basis.

It remains the responsibility of clients to identify themselves as being directly affected by this emergency by using the crisis web form.

Processing

All crisis-related applications from the affected area (including requests for replacement documents) and requests for information or guidance should be processed on a case-by-case basis. If deemed urgent based on existing specific line of business criteria, requests should be considered in a compassionate and flexible manner.

Clients are instructed to do the following to flag their application:

• For paper applications submitted between the date of the first reported sightings of fires in each affected area, and November 30, 2024, clients are instructed to write “WILDFIRES24” on the cover of the envelope and first page of their application or covering document.
• For new online applications, clients are instructed to include the keyword “WFF2024” in their application submission to identify themselves as affected persons under these measures.
• For online and paper applications submitted between the first reported sightings of fires in each affected area and before the implementation of these instructions on July 19, 2024, clients are instructed to submit an IRCC crisis web form and include the keyword “WFF2024” in the text box to request urgent processing.

The Client Support Centre (CSC) agents will review those requests and add an urgent incoming correspondence for the responsible office, or send an urgent referral to the responsible office if the application is not yet in the system.

Program-specific special measures

Each program has their own eligibility and document requirements for these special measures. Refer to the appropriate line of business for further information.

Temporary residents

Fee waivers: Under these special measures, the following fees related to processing and temporary residence documentation replacement or issuance are waived:

• extension of temporary resident status
• restoration of temporary resident status
• replacement of temporary resident document
  • Examples: work permit, study permit, visitor record, temporary resident permit (TRP) or temporary resident visa (TRV) counterfoil.
• work permit fee
• open work permit privilege fee
• study permit fee
• biometrics fee

Officers should refer to the Fee list.

Extension of work or study permits or of visitor status: The public policy provides an exemption from the requirement in paragraphs 201(1)(a) and 217(1)(a) and subsections 181(1) and 182 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) for affected foreign nationals to submit an application to extend or restore their temporary resident status as a worker, student or visitor prior to the expiry of their present document, if an application is submitted by November 30, 2024. This applies to

• foreign nationals who had valid temporary resident status and a work permit valid on July 19, 2024, but whose work permit will expire by November 30, 2024
• foreign nationals who had valid temporary resident status and a study permit valid on July 19, 2024, but whose study permit will expire by November 30, 2024
• foreign nationals who had valid temporary resident status as a visitor on July 19, 2024, but whose status will expire by November 30, 2024

Visitors: To identify themselves as “affected visitors”, applicants should provide evidence such as

• a signed letter (attestation) explaining how the wildfires affect them
• if applicable, a copy of their proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
  • a government-issued identity document
  • a utility bill showing a residential address located in the affected area
  • a hotel receipt

Workers: A worker’s residence or workplace may be impacted by the wildfires. To identify themselves as “affected workers”, applicants should provide evidence such as

• a signed letter (attestation) explaining how the wildfires affect them
• if applicable, a copy of their proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
  • a government-issued identity document
  • a utility bill showing a residential address located in the affected area
  • a hotel receipt
• a document with the name and address of their employer
• if applicable, proof that their workplace in the original work permit is not operational due to the wildfires, for example
  • a signed letter from their employer on company letterhead
  • a media article showing their workplace is not operational
  • a copy of a notice posted on their company’s website

Existing work permit holders: As the public policy provides more time for foreign nationals to renew their work permits, those who have submitted a renewal application and have requested consideration under the public policy will be authorized to continue working under paragraph R186(u) as long as they continue to work under the same conditions of their expired permit.

Students: A student’s residence or DLI may be impacted by the wildfires. To identify themselves as “affected students”, applicants should provide evidence such as

• a signed letter (attestation) explaining how the wildfires affect them
• if applicable, a copy of their proof of residence or temporary stay in the affected area, for example
  • a government-issued identity document
  • a utility bill showing a residential address located in the affected area
  • a hotel receipt
• the name and address of their DLI
• if applicable, proof that their DLI is not operational due to the wildfires, for example
  • a signed letter from the DLI on school letterhead
  • a media article
  • an email to students stating that classes are suspended
  • a copy of a notice posted on the institution’s website

The client must continue to have valid status as a student in Canada to be able to return to class once the school has re-opened. If the client needs to apply to extend their study permit, they must include a letter from the registrar of their DLI explaining the situation.

Restoration period: Under these special measures, the minister has waived the requirement under section R182 for an affected visitor, worker or student who had valid status on July 19, 2024, and which expires by November 30, 2024, to apply for restoration within 90 days after losing temporary resident status. Further, affected applicants are exempt from the requirement to pay the fee for restoration of status under subsection R306(1), for restoration applications made between the date the public policy takes effect and November 30, 2024.

Applicants whose status expires before September 2, 2024, have until November 30, 2024, to apply to restore their status.

Applicants whose status expires on or after September 2, 2024, have the standard 90 calendar days to apply to restore their status.

The objective is to provide those affected by the wildfires with more time to restore their temporary resident status, if needed.

Proof of citizenship

Affected Canadian citizens: These special measures apply only to persons directly affected by this emergency, and it remains the responsibility of those persons to identify themselves as such. To identify themselves as “affected persons”, applicants should provide

• a signed letter (attestation) explaining how the wildfires affect them
• a copy of their proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
  • a government-issued identity document
  • a utility bill showing a residential address located in the affected area
  • a hotel receipt

Citizenship certificate replacement: To request replacement citizenship certificates, affected Canadian citizens must follow standard procedures, but the proof of citizenship application fee for the replacement should not be charged to the applicant.

Applications submitted online through IRCC Secure Account (MyAccount) require clients to pay the proof of citizenship application fee upfront. As such, if the officer determines that the client is eligible for a replacement proof of citizenship under these special measures, a refund may be issued for the paid fee. Refer to Fee waivers and refunds for further guidance.

Fee waivers: Under these special measures, the following fees related to citizenship documentation replacement will not be collected:

• Replacement of certificate of citizenship (proof)

Officers should refer to the Fee list.

Canadian passports, certificates of identity or refugee travel documents

These special measures also apply to Canadian passports, certificates of identity and refugee travel documents. For further information on the Passport Program’s eligibility and document requirements, officers should refer to the instructions provided in Passage.

Fee waivers: Under these special measures, the following fees related to passport and identity documentation replacement will not be collected:

• adult certificate of identity
• child certificate of identity
• adult refugee travel document
• child refugee travel document
• expedited services – call back
• urgent service
• express service
• pick-up service
• replacement of lost or stolen passport or travel document
• transfer fee (to transfer passport application from one office to another)
• consular fee levied on adult passport or travel documents

Officers should refer to the following links for latest fee amounts

• Pay your passport fee in Canada
• Canadian travel documents for non‑Canadians in Canada

Permanent resident cards (PR cards)

Affected permanent residents of Canada: These special measures apply only to persons directly affected by this emergency, and it remains the responsibility of those persons to identify themselves as such. To identify themselves as “affected persons”, applicants must provide a completed Solemn declaration concerning a lost, stolen, destroyed or never received permanent resident card (PDF) in addition to their completed application for a PR card.

PR card replacement: These special measures apply only to applications to replace lost, damaged or destroyed PR cards for clients who have had a PR card issued in the last 5 years. To request replacement PR cards, affected Canadian permanent residents must follow standard procedures, but the application fee should not be charged to the applicant. Refer to Fee waivers and refunds for further guidance.

Initial permanent residence applications and renewal applications for existing permanent residents are not covered by these special measures and are to be processed under regular procedures. Standard fees and requirements apply.

PR card priority processing procedures: When an application is received under these special measures and the client requested urgent processing, the officer must

• add the following note in GCMS: “Priority Processing: WILDFIRES 2024”
• follow the usual “Urgent” process to notify Canadian Bank Note accordingly, including
  • restrict auto-approval, where necessary
  • manual approval of the application
  • use of “Urgent” flag in GCMS
  • manual submission of card request

Fee waivers: Under these special measures, the following fees related to permanent residence documentation replacement will not be collected:

• PR card

Officers should refer to the Fee list.

Biometrics requirement: Permanent resident applicants may be required to provide their biometrics when they apply for a replacement PR card if they were previously exempt because they were under the age of 14 years at the time of their application. However, they are not required to pay the biometric collection fee. Refer to Fee waivers and refunds  for further guidance.

Fee waivers: Under these special measures, the following fees related to biometric collection will not be collected:

• biometrics fee – per person
• biometrics fee – per family (2 or more people)

Officers should refer to the Fee list.

Replacement of an immigration document (verification of status)

These instructions apply to those needing to replace a

• record of landing (IMM 1000)
• confirmation of permanent residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688)
• valid temporary resident document (work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit or visitor record)
• TRV
  • TRVs must be valid for 30 days or more

Affected persons: These special measures apply only to persons directly affected by this emergency, and it remains the responsibility of those persons to identify themselves as such. To identify themselves as “affected persons,” applicants should provide evidence such as

• a signed letter (attestation) explaining how the wildfires affect them
• a copy of their proof of residence or temporary stay in an affected area, such as
  • a government-issued identity document
  • a utility bill showing a residential address located in the affected area
  • a hotel receipt

Immigration document replacement: To obtain a VOS document or replacement of a valid temporary resident document, affected clients must follow standard procedures, but the application fee is waived under these measures. Refer to Fee waivers and refunds for further guidance.

Officers should refer to the Fee list.

Incomplete applications

If the client indicated in their application that they are unable to provide documentation to demonstrate that they were affected by the wildfires, the officer can provide an extension for the client to provide the documents, on a case-by-case basis.

Non-compliance for non-reply to requests for additional information: People have been displaced as a result of this crisis and may not be reachable through the contact information they originally provided to IRCC in their applications or by other means. Decisions should not be made based on the fact that applicants in the affected area have not replied to requests for additional information from July 19, 2024, onwards (until the expiry of these special measures). In these instances, files should be put aside until contact with the applicant has been re-established or until these special measures expire, whichever comes first.

Immigration medical examinations (IMEs)

New immigration medical examinations (IMEs) are not required for replacement of lost or destroyed documents, nor are they required specifically as a result of this emergency. Standard screening requirements apply, and applicants must complete an IME for officers to finalize an application where required. A complete list of panel physicians is available on the IRCC website. Panel physicians are independent from IRCC, and the department does not control whether they charge or how much they charge for an IME.