Canada has implemented new temporary immigration measures to assist temporary residents, such as international students, temporary foreign workers, and visitors, who have been impacted by domestic natural disasters within the country.

Natural disasters covered under these measures include wildfires, storms, floods, hurricanes, and earthquakes.

Under the new policy, eligible temporary residents have up to six months from the date of being directly affected by the natural disaster to restore their temporary resident status, which is a significant extension from the usual 90-day period. These measures came into effect on April 1, 2026, and are set to continue until November 30, 2028.

Temporary residents seeking to extend their status before their current permit expires can also benefit from maintained status, allowing them to continue working while their application is processed.

Eligibility Criteria

To qualify for these measures, individuals must have had a valid temporary resident status as a student, worker, or visitor at the time of the disaster and must have been directly impacted by the disaster in Canada between April 1, 2026, and November 30, 2028.

Those holding a temporary resident permit and wishing to extend their stay must apply for another permit. The policy also defines what constitutes being directly affected by a natural disaster for eligibility purposes.

Application Process

The application process to restore status is similar for visitors, international students, and temporary foreign workers:

• Submit the appropriate application form for your category.
• Preferably apply online, with the option for paper applications if necessary.
• Include a signed attestation letter detailing how and when the natural disaster impacted you.