Conflict in Sudan - Temporary measures for family members in Canada

Temporary measures to apply for an open work permit

If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you

• can apply for an open work permit in Canada
• are exempt from paying the
  • work permit fee
  • open work permit holder fee
  • biometrics fee

Apply online for an open work permit

You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.

Supporting documents:

• the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document if you have one
• a letter that states “I am exempt from paying biometric and application fees under the SD2023 special measures”

Step 5. Upload your forms and supporting documents

Forms

• Upload your completed forms to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of forms that you need to upload.

Supporting documents

• Upload your supporting documents to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of required documents.
• Under “Passport”, upload the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document.
• Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload your letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the work permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The work permit will outline

• the type of work you can do
• how long you can work

How to contact us

If you need to update your contact information or have questions, fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) :

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Temporary measures to apply for a study permit

If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you

• can apply for a study permit in Canada
• are exempt from paying the
  • study permit fee
  • biometrics fee

Apply online for a study permit

You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.

Supporting documents:

• the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document, if you have one
• a letter that states “I am exempt from paying biometric and application fees under the SD2023 special measures”
• a letter of acceptance from the school that you’ll attend
• proof of financial support
  • You must include documents to prove that you can support yourself and any dependent family members (children) who are with you in Canada.

Step 5. Upload your forms and supporting documents

Forms

• Upload your completed forms to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of forms that you need to upload.

Supporting documents

• Upload your supporting documents to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of required documents.
• Under “Passport”, upload the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document.
• Under “Proof of fee exemption”, upload your letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures”.
• Under “Proof of means of financial support”, upload documents to prove that you can support yourself and any dependent family members (children).
  • If you have multiple documents, combine them into 1 document (opens in a new tab) 

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the study permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The study permit will outline all the conditions of your stay.

How to contact us

If you need to update your contact information or have questions, fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) :

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Temporary measures to apply for a visitor record

If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you

• can apply for a visitor record in Canada
• are exempt from paying the
  • visitor record fee
  • biometrics fee

Who can apply

To apply under the temporary measures, you must

• be part of one of the affected groups, as described above
• be in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
  • you apply
  • a decision is made on your application

How to apply

You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.

Deadline to apply : Submit your application on or before
 October 27, 2025

Step 1: Get your documents ready

Prepare the forms and supporting documents listed below. You need to upload them to your account when you apply.

Forms:

If you need help answering the questions in these forms, you can use our general instruction guide to apply for a visitor record (opens in a new tab) :

• Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Visitor or Temporary Resident Permit Holder [IMM 5708] (opens in a new tab)
• Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM 5409] (opens in a new tab) – (if applicable)
  • Complete this form if you’re in a common-law relationship.
• Use of a Representative [IMM 5476] (opens in a new tab) – (if applicable)
  • Complete this form if somebody is applying for you, and you want them to be the main contact on your behalf.
• Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM 5475] (opens in a new tab) – (if applicable)
  • Complete this form if you want to allow us to release your personal information to someone else. This person will be able to get information on your case, (for example, the status of your application).

Supporting documents:

All applicants must include copies of these documents:

• the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document (if you have one)
• a letter that states “I am exempt from paying biometric and application fees under the SD2023 special measures”

Step 2: Create your online account or sign in

You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to

• submit your application forms
• check your status

Create an account or sign in (opens in a new tab) 

Step 3. Start your online application

Once you sign in to your account, you need to follow these steps:

1. Go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page.
2. Click Apply to come to Canada.
3. On the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section.
4. Click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button.

Step 4. Complete the online questions to get your document checklist

You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.

When completing the online questions, make sure you answer these questions as follows:

• Answer “Visit” when asked: What would you like to do in Canada?
• Answer “Canada” when asked: What is your current country/territory of residence?
• When you get your results, choose “Visitor record.”
• Answer “No, I am exempt from paying application fees for this application” to this question: There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?

Step 5: Upload your forms and supporting documents

Forms

Upload your completed forms to your online application. Your document checklist should give you a list of forms that you need to upload.

Supporting documents

Upload your supporting documents to your online application.

• Under “Passport,” upload the photo or identification page of your passport or travel document.
• Under “Proof of fee exemption,” upload your letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 in-Canada temporary measures”

If you have multiple documents to upload, you may need to combine them into 1 document (opens in a new tab) 

After you apply

Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

In most cases, you need to give your biometrics if you haven’t given them in the last 10 years. If you need to give them, we’ll send you a biometric instruction letter (BIL). Follow the instructions on your BIL.

If your current temporary resident status is expiring soon

If you apply before your current status expires, you have maintained your status.

Maintained status is a legal extension of status that allows a temporary resident to stay in Canada while we process their application. This means you can legally stay in Canada while you wait for a decision on your application. You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.

If your application is approved

We’ll mail your visitor record to the Canadian address you gave us in your application.

If your mailing address changes before we approve your application, you must contact us to tell us your new address.

How to contact us

If you need to update your contact information or have questions, fill out the web form (opens in a new tab) :

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Temporary measures to apply for a temporary resident permit

If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you

• can apply for a temporary resident permit and a work permit in Canada
• are exempt from paying the
  • temporary resident permit fee
  • biometrics fee

Who can apply

To apply under the temporary measures, you must

• be part of one of the affected groups, as described above
• be in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
  • you apply
  • a decision is made on your application

How to apply

You must apply online using the IRCC secure account.

Deadline to apply : Submit your application on or before
 October 27, 2025

Apply on paper

• Complete the paper application to change conditions, extend my stay or remain in Canada as a visitor or temporary resident permit holder (opens in a new tab) .
• • When completing form IMM 5708, under section 3 at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit.”
• Complete the document checklist (IMM 5558) (opens in a new tab) .
• For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees.
  • Find out if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) .
• Provide these required documents with your application:
  • a copy of your passport
  • a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 in-Canada temporary measures”

Mailing instructions

• Put the completed forms and supporting documents in a 23 cm x 30.5 cm (9″ x 12″) envelope. Do not include a prepaid envelope with your application.
  • If you are applying as a family, send all the documents to the Case Processing Centre address in Edmonton in one envelope.
• Address the envelope as follows:
  Case Processing Centre in Edmonton
  Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada
  c/o Visitor and Temporary Resident Permits, Station 303
  9700 Jasper Avenue NW, Suite 55
  Edmonton, AB T5J 4C3
• Write “SD2023” on the mailing envelope and on the first page of the application or covering document.

If you need help, have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab) .

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.

Temporary measures to apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child

If you’re eligible for the temporary measures, you

• can apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child in Canada
• get priority processing on your application
• are exempt from paying the
  • sponsorship fee
  • application for permanent residence fee
  • right to permanent residence fee
  • biometrics fee (if applicable)

How to apply

You must apply online using the Permanent Residence Portal.

Follow the steps to apply for permanent residence as a sponsored spouse, partner or child (opens in a new tab) .

Tell us you’re exempt from paying the fees

Normally, you need to attach a receipt to your application as proof of payment. When we ask you to upload a receipt, tell us you’re exempt from paying fees by uploading a letter that states “SD2023 fee exemption measure: I confirm I left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023, and I entered Canada before July 15, 2023.”

If you can’t apply online

You can apply on paper if you meet one of the following exemptions:

• You can’t apply online because of a disability.
• There’s a barrier that
  • prevents you from applying online or
  • makes applying online unreliable

Contact us using our crisis web form if you can’t apply online.

Complete all required fields in the form and include “SD2023” in the text box.

If you have questions or need to update your contact information

Send us a web form (opens in a new tab) :

• Complete all required fields.
• Include “SD2023” in the text box.