Temporary measures to support family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have departed Sudan
This section contains policy, procedures and guidance used by IRCC staff. It is posted on the department’s website as a courtesy to stakeholders.
Note: These special processing measures have been extended until October 27, 2025.
These instructions provide operational guidance related to temporary measures to support immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have departed Sudan since the violence erupted on April 15, 2023.
Under these measures, eligible foreign national family members who have arrived in Canada under the Temporary public policy for family members who fled conflict in Sudan may apply to extend their temporary resident status in Canada as well as apply for an open work permit (OWP), study permit (SP), temporary resident permit (TRP), and for permanent residence under the family class, fee-exempt.
Fee waivers for overseas temporary resident visa (TRV) applications and requests for TRP consideration are no longer included in these measures given that the temporary public policy for this measure expired October 27, 2024.
All standard eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempt under these measures must be met by applicants. Applicants who do not meet these requirements may have their applications refused.
Temporary measures for temporary residence applications and/or permanent residence applications under the family class commenced on May 1, 2023 and for temporary resident status extensions and temporary resident permits (in Canada) on October 28, 2024. Both will expire on October 27, 2025.
On this page
- Background
- Eligibility
- Program-specific measures
- Fee waiver to extend or change temporary resident status in Canada
- Fee waiver for issuing work permits in Canada
- Issuing open work permits in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
- Fee waiver for issuing study permits or extensions in Canada
- Application for permanent residence under the family class
- Fee waivers for in-Canada biometrics
- Refusals for ineligible clients
Background
On April 15, 2023, armed conflict erupted between two rival factions in Sudan, resulting in heavy fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the country. The humanitarian crisis affecting Sudanese civilians is worsening as the civil war continues.
Canada and its partners have been assisting Canadians, permanent residents and their family members in their departure from Sudan as well as Sudanese nationals in Canada unable to return to Sudan at this time. In April 2023, IRCC supported the evacuation operation to bring Canadian citizens and permanent residents of Canada to safety, including facilitating their foreign national family members via the Temporary Public Policy for Family Members who fled Conflict in Sudan “– archived. IRCC is continuing to support those family members through an updated public policy issued in October 2024, which focuses on in-Canada temporary measures detailed in these instructions.
Eligibility
Under these in-Canada measures, a foreign national may be eligible in-Canada measures if they meet the following requirements:
- are the family member – per the definition of subsection R1(3) (see below) – of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023, and who:
- left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023;
- entered Canada before July 15, 2023; and
- is in-Canada with valid temporary resident status
and
- has applied to extend or change the conditions of their temporary stay as one of the following:
- worker
- student
- visitor
or
-
has applied for a new or subsequent temporary resident permit
or
- has applied for a permanent resident visa as a member of the Family Class or for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
Important: To be eligible for facilitation under the Temporary public policy for family members who fled conflict in Sudan when applying for a work permit, study permit, visitor record, or temporary resident permit, or to extend their existing temporary resident status, or for permanent residence under the family class, a foreign national must be physically in Canada with valid temporary resident status at the time of application under these measures and at the time that a decision is rendered.
Officers should confirm that the applicant has not left Canada before granting the fee exemption or the public policy open work permit. The Entry/Exit Program explains how officers confirm exit.
Note: Clients who need to restore their temporary resident status are not included under these measures and are not exempt from paying the restoration fee. Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Family member definition
Foreign nationals, including Sudanese nationals, are eligible family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, if they meet the definition of “family member” under subsection 1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR):
- the spouse or common-law partner of the person
- a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner, and
- a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b)
A dependent child is a child who is
- under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
- 22 years or older and unable to financially self-support due to a physical or mental condition
Extended family members are not eligible and are not included under these measures.
Note: To be eligible under the current measures, the foreign national is not required to have travelled with the Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member, however, must have met the eligibility requirements of the public policy at that time. If officers are uncertain if an applicant is eligible, they may review an applicant’s previous TRV application, associated to the following ORG ID O155465942692, which would have been issued as part of assisted departures.
Program-specific measures
Fee waiver to extend or change temporary resident status in Canada and temporary resident permits
Eligible foreign 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 or for a new temporary resident permit (TRP). They are also exempt from paying the biometrics enrolment fee under these measures. See below for more information about biometrics.
Officers may waive the following fees for eligible applicants under these temporary measures:
- extension of visitor record – exemption code ‘999’
- temporary resident permit – exemption code ‘999’
- biometrics – exemption code ‘B11’
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Officers may issue visitor record extensions of up to 6 months or until passport or biometrics validity, whichever comes first.
Important: eligible foreign nationals applying under these measures are instructed to upload a copy of their passport, and under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” to upload a letter stating: “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 temporary measures.” The IRCC officer is responsible for applying the exemption code for fee waivers.
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. This does not apply to temporary resident permit (TRP) holders. If the client is applying for a new or subsequent TRP, officers should refer to Temporary resident permits for additional guidance.
Fee waiver for issuing work permits in Canada
These measures include a fee waiver for initial work permit applications, including open work permits, and work permit extensions in Canada.
The following fees for eligible clients under these temporary measures are to be waived:
- Initial or renewal work permit – exemption code “999”
- open work permit – exemption code “P03”
- temporary resident permit (if applicable) – exemption code ‘999’
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Note: If a client is applying for an employer-specific work permit under the International Mobility Program, the 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 a Labour Market Impact Assessment (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 the eligible foreign nationals 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.
Officers should confirm that the applicant has not left Canada before granting the open work permit and fee exemption under this pubic policy. The Entry/Exit Program explains how officers confirm exit.
Issuing open work permits in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
Section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) provides authority for the exemption from the substantive requirements for issuance of a work permit under section R200(1)(c). Applicants are still required to meet the other requirements for work permit issuance.
The open work permit is issued and is coded as follows:
| Field | Selection or input |
|---|---|
| Case Type | 20 |
| ORG ID | For Family Members of Canadian citizens or Permanent residents: O155465942692 |
| Province of destination | Unknown |
| LMIA exemption code | R01 Public policies issued under A25.2 (inside Canada) |
| Employer | Open |
| Intended Occupation | Open |
| NOC | 99999 |
| Conditions | Officers should ensure that instructions provided in Work permit issuance in GCMS: Occupation or location restricted are followed. If the applicant has not completed a medical examination and
Officers can check if a country is IME designated here: Find out if you need a medical exam. |
| Biometrics | Work permit applicants are required to provide biometric information. The regular biometric exemptions apply (for example, age or 1 in 10). |
| User remarks (mandatory) | Permit issued under temporary measures for Foreign Nationals who are family members of Canadian Citizens and Permanent Residents who fled violence in Sudan |
| Duration | Officers hold the delegated authority to determine the authorized period of stay, but may consider issuing the work permit with a validity of up to 3 years or passport or biometric validity, whichever is first. |
Fee waiver for issuing study permits or extensions in Canada
These measures include a fee waiver for initial study permit applications and study permit extensions in Canada.
Note: Study permit applicants are required to provide a provincial attestation letter (PAL) or a territorial attestation letter (TAL) from the province or territory where they plan to study unless they meet one of the exceptions. Eligible clients applying for a new study permit under these measures are exempt from these requirements based on a public policy as part of a migration response to a crisis.
The following fees for eligible clients under these temporary measures are to be waived:
- Initial or renewal study permit
- temporary resident permit – exemption code ‘999’
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Study permit validity must be tied to the specified period of study (and passport validity).
Officers should refer to Temporary Residents: Students for additional guidance.
Applications for permanent residence under the family class
Foreign national family members applying under the family class from overseas will benefit from priority processing, but will be subject to standard fees.
Foreign national family members who departed Sudan to a third country on or after April 15, 2023, whether assisted or not in their departure by Canada or its partners, may be eligible to apply from within Canada for permanent residence under the family class or the spouse or common-law partner in Canada stream.
To be eligible for permanent resident fee waivers, clients must meet the following requirements:
The foreign national
- is in Canada with valid temporary resident status, and
- left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023;
- is the family member – per the definition of subsection 1(3) of the Regulations – of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023;
- entered Canada before July 15, 2023, and
- has applied for a permanent resident visa as a member of the family class or for permanent residence under the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class
Applications will be submitted through the Permanent Residence Online Portal and should be processed on a priority basis. The Operations Planning and Performance Branch (OPPB) will give the processing office weekly lists indicating applications eligible for fee waivers.
Eligible applications are fee-exempt and clients are not required to pay the following fees:
- Sponsorship fee – exemption code FPC. Description: Fee paid (Canada)
- Application for permanent residence fee – exemption code FPC. Description: Fee paid (Canada)
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee – exemption code RFC. Description: Right of Permanent Residence Fee Paid (Canada)
- Biometric enrolment fee – exemption code B12
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
To add the exemption codes: Go to GCMS Application > Fees tab > Scroll down to Fees subsection > Select Fee line > Code > open “Pick Code” and select applicable exemption code.
Officers exempting fees pursuant to these special measures must enter remarks in the GCMS application to note that the fees were exempted under the temporary public policy for Sudan special measures for family class.
Note: Refunds of the sponsorship fee and the right of permanent residence fee are subject to approval of a remission order.
Officers should refer to Permanent resident program: Non-economic classes for additional guidance.
Should there be an indication of citizenship by descent that has yet to be confirmed or assessed and the family is in Canada, they should be counselled to complete a proof of citizenship application for assessment (PDF, 3.1 MB) as part of the facilitative measures currently in place for those affected by the situation in Sudan. A scanned version of the application can be sent by e-mail to the UrgentProofCOVID general mailbox.
The citizenship program should also be advised if the child has submitted a grant of citizenship application through the regular process that has yet to be finalized. If the family is overseas, the child should be referred to the relevant consular services who will contact Citizenship and Passport as per current protocols for Sudan.
Fee waivers for biometrics
All individuals required to do so must provide their biometrics information in support of their application. However, under these measures, the biometrics enrolment fee is waived, both for overseas and in-Canada applications. Officers must manually enter the biometric fee waiver code to issue a biometric instruction letter.
- Biometric fee
- Waiver code: B11 for temporary resident applications and B12 for permanent resident applications under the family class
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
For more information on biometrics and fees, consult
All other standard eligibility and admissibility requirements must be met by clients.
Refusals for ineligible clients
Officers may encounter applications submitted from clients who are ineligible for these special measures. These applications should be refused.
If a refusal is warranted, officers should select “Other” ground, and include the following note before proceeding to refusal:
Individual does not meet the eligibility requirements as per the updated temporary public policy for family members who fled conflict in Sudan.
Officers must also include this note under application remarks in GCMS, along with a justification for the refusal.
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