These program delivery instructions (PDIs) provide operational guidance related to temporary measures to support Sudanese nationals who are already in Canada on a temporary basis and can’t return home at this time. These measures waive certain processing fees to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay and facilitate the issuance of fee-exempt open work permits for Sudanese nationals in Canada.
Important: All clients from the affected area are already receiving priority processing, including resettled refugees, and existing applications for permanent residence, and new and existing temporary residence clients.
All other standard eligibility and admissibility requirements must be met by clients; however, officers should take into consideration the dire circumstances of the clients and the availability of large diaspora communities in Canada that could provide support for them.
These special measures start April 30, 2023 and expire on October 27, 2023.
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Background
On April 15, 2023, armed conflict erupted between two rival factions in Sudan, resulting in heavy fighting in Khartoum and other parts of the country.
Many Sudanese have chosen to come to Canada to visit or spend time with family, study, or work temporarily. Some of these temporary residents may be unable to return to Sudan at this time, and may wish to prolong their stay. These measures will allow those who wish to extend their temporary stay in Canada to do so without fees and to move between temporary resident streams.
Eligibility
Under these measures, the following clients may be eligible:
- a national of Sudan who is in Canada with valid temporary resident status and who applies
- to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay as one of the following:
- worker
- student
- visitor
- temporary resident permit holder
- for an initial temporary resident permit
- to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay as one of the following:
Important: Clients who need to restore their temporary resident status are not included under these special measures and are not exempt from paying the $200 restoration fee.
Program-specific special measures
Fee waiver to extend or change temporary resident status in Canada
Sudanese nationals who are applying from within Canada and who have valid temporary resident status in Canada are eligible for a fee waiver when they apply to extend or change the conditions of their stay. They are also exempt from paying the biometric enrollment fee under these special measures. See below for more information about biometrics.
Sudanese nationals applying under these measures in Canada are instructed to upload a copy of their Sudanese passport, and under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” to upload a letter stating: “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 temporary measures.”
The following fees for eligible clients under these temporary measures are to be waived:
- extension of visitor record ($100) – exemption code ‘999’
- temporary resident permit ($200) – exemption code ‘999’
- biometrics ($85) – exemption code ‘B11’
Officers may issue visitor record extensions of up to 6 months or until passport or biometrics validity, whichever comes first.
Clients who apply to extend or change the conditions of their stay before it expires, maintain their status as per R183(5) while their application is processed. Officers should refer to Temporary residents: Maintained status during processing (previously called implied status) for additional instructions.
Important: Clients will be advised to apply without paying fees, and the IRCC officer is responsible for applying the exemption code for fee waivers. If a client paid fees after this public policy came into force, please see the refunds section below.
If the client is applying for a new or subsequent temporary resident permit (TRP), officers should refer to Temporary resident permits for additional guidance.
Fee waiver for issuance of work permits in Canada
These measures include a fee waiver for work permit applications in Canada. To be eligible for the fee waiver, applicants must meet all of the following conditions:
- hold a passport from Sudan
- have valid temporary resident status in Canada (including temporary residents with maintained status as per R183(5))
- have applied for a work permit in Canada (employer-specific or open)
The following fees for eligible clients under these temporary special measures are to be waived or are not payable:
- initial or renewal of work permit ($155) – exemption code ‘999’
- open work permit ($100) – exemption code ‘P03’
Note: If you’re applying under the International Mobility Program, your employer must pay the employer compliance fee.
Regular work permit application
Applications submitted in the regular work permit categories under R204 to R208 for nationals of Sudan are fee-exempt but should be processed as per the instructions for the specific work permit category.
Applications submitted with an LMIA for nationals of Sudan are fee-exempt but should be processed as per the instructions: Labour Market Impact Assessment Review.
Public policy open work permit application
The public policy allows eligible temporary residents in Canada to submit an application for an open work permit while remaining in Canada. This will allow nationals of Sudan to support themselves until they are able to return to their home country.
Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for an open work permit under this public policy at a port of entry.
Issuing open work permits in the GCMS
Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act provides authority for the exemption from the substantive requirements for issuance of the permit under s. 200(1)(c) of IRPR. Applicants are still required to meet the other requirements for work permit issuance.
The open work permit is issued and is coded as follows:
- NOC: 99999
- Employer: Open
- Exemption code: R01 (A25.2 Public Policy)
- Intended Occupation: Open
- Case Type: 20
- Duration: Officers should consider issuing the work permit with a validity of up to 3 years or passport or biometric validity, whichever is first
Conditions: If the applicant has not completed a medical examination, the following condition should be imposed: “Not authorized to work in 1) child care, 2) primary or secondary school teaching, 3) health services field occupations.”
Fee waiver for issuing study permits or extensions in Canada
These measures include fee-exempt study permit applications or extensions.
The following fees for eligible clients under these temporary measures are to be waived:
- initial or renewal of study permit ($150)
Study permit extension validity must be tied to the specified period of study (and passport validity).
All applicants must submit their study permit or extension application by following the instructions to extend their study permit. Clients who apply for an extension or to change their status before it expires will maintain their status while their application is being processed.
Officers should refer to Temporary Residents: Students for additional guidance.
Fee waivers for in-Canada biometrics
All individuals required to do so must provide their biometric information in support of their application. However, under these measures, the biometrics enrolment fee is waived. Officers must manually enter the biometric fee waiver code to issue a biometric instruction letter (BIL).
- biometric fee waiver code: B11
For more information on biometrics and fees
All other standard eligibility and admissibility requirements must be met by clients.Report a problem or mistake on this page
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