Canada Wildfires Relief Measures: IRCC Special Extensions

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented special measures to assist individuals affected by the recent wildfires in Canada. Eligible applicants have the opportunity to renew or extend their status and obtain replacements for lost documents without any associated fees until November 30, 2025.

Who is Eligible?

These measures are applicable to a wide range of individuals, including temporary residents, permanent residents, and Canadian citizens, regardless of whether they reside in the impacted regions. To qualify, applicants need to provide a brief explanation detailing how they have been affected by the wildfires.

Benefits for Temporary Residents

Temporary residents, such as visitors, workers, and students, are entitled to fee waivers for various services, including extensions, restorations, and replacements of permits or visas. Additionally, they are granted additional time to restore their status if it lapsed before September 2, 2025.

Assistance for Permanent Residents and Citizens

Permanent residents can avail themselves of complimentary replacements for lost or damaged Permanent Resident (PR) cards and verification of status documents. Similarly, Canadian citizens are eligible for free replacements of passports and citizenship certificates, including expedited services if required.

Application Process

All applications must be submitted by November 30, 2025, using the designated codes “WFF2025” for online submissions and “WILDFIRES25” for paper submissions. This ensures that IRCC can promptly process the applications under the specified relief measures.