Conflict in Sudan: Measures for Sudanese nationals in Canada
These measures have been extended
The temporary immigration measures for Sudanese nationals in Canada have been extended until October 27, 2025.
Due to the current situation in Sudan, you can apply to extend your stay in Canada for free. You can apply to
- extend your current temporary resident status
- change your temporary resident status (for example, from a visitor to a worker)
Deadline to apply: October 27, 2025
On this page:
- Apply online to extend your status as a visitor
- Apply online to extend your status as a worker
- Apply online to extend your status as a student
- Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit
- Apply to change your status to a visitor, worker or student
- Apply to restore your status
- How to contact us
- Related links
Apply online to extend your status as a visitor
You can extend your status for free if
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- you’re a Sudanese national with a valid Sudanese passport
You need to apply for a visitor record to extend your visitor status. A visitor record is different from a visitor visa.
If you want to work or study
If you want to apply for a work or study permit, you need to apply to change your status instead.
How to apply online for a visitor record
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.
- Complete the online application for a visitor record(opens in a new tab) .
- Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics[opens in a new tab] ).
- To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
- Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section:
- Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption,” upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
If you apply to extend your status, and it expires before your application is processed
You are considered to 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 you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply online to extend your status as a worker
You can extend your status for free if
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan
How to apply online
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.
- Complete the online application to extend your worker status(opens in a new tab) .
- Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics[opens in a new tab] ).
- To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
- Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section:
- Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption,” upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
If you apply to extend your status, and it expires before your application is processed
You are considered to 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 you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply online to extend your status as a student
You can extend your status for free if
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan
How to apply online
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.
- Complete the online application to extend your student status(opens in a new tab) .
- Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics[opens in a new tab] ).
- To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
- Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section:
- Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption,” upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
If you apply to extend your status, and it expires before your application is processed
You are considered to 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 you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit
We only grant a temporary resident permit for compelling reasons to a person who does not meet the requirements to enter or stay temporarily in Canada. Before continuing, make sure you’re a temporary resident permit holder.
Apply to extend your current temporary resident status
You can apply for another temporary resident permit for free if
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan
How to apply on paper
- Complete the paper application to remain in Canada as a temporary resident permit holder(opens in a new tab) .
- When completing form IMM 5708, under section 3 at the top of the form choose “Get a new temporary resident permit.”
- Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics[opens in a new tab] ).
- Include these required documents with your application:
- a copy of your Sudanese passport
- a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
- Include these required documents with your application:
- Write “SD2023” on the envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.
Track your application
If you’re submitting a paper application, we recommend you use a postal or courier service with tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.
If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply on paper for another temporary resident permit and a work or study permit
You can apply for another temporary resident permit for free if
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- you’re a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan
How to apply on paper
- Complete the paper application for the permit you want to apply for:
- Under section 3 at the top of the form choose
- “Get a new temporary resident permit” and the type of work permit you’re applying for, if you’re completing IMM 5710, or
- “Get a new temporary resident permit” and “Apply for a study permit for the first time or extend my study permit”, if you’re completing IMM 5709
- Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fee (if you need to give biometrics).
- Include these required documents with your application:
- a copy of your Sudanese passport
- a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
- Include these required documents with your application:
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 your name and address at the top left-hand corner of the envelope.
- Write “SD2023” on the mailing envelope and on the first page of the application or covering document.
- Have the post office weigh your envelope to ensure you put sufficient postage on it.
- Mail the envelope.
Track your application
If you’re submitting a paper application, we recommend you use a postal or courier service with tracking so you have proof your application was delivered.
If your temporary resident permit expires after you apply
You have not maintained your status in Canada if your current temporary resident permit expires before we process your application for a new one.
You can’t legally work or study in Canada until we issue you another temporary resident permit and a work or study permit.
If you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply to change your status to a visitor, worker or student
You can apply to change your status in Canada for free to a
- visitor
- worker or
- student
To be eligible, you must
- you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
- you apply
- a decision is made on your application
- be a Sudanese national with a valid passport from Sudan
How to apply online
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.
1. Complete the application below that applies to the status you want to hold in Canada
- online application for a visitor record(opens in a new tab)
- online application to extend or change the conditions on your work permit(opens in a new tab)
- When filling out form IMM 5710
- under Details of intended work in Canada, choose “Open Work Permit” for question 1
- you don’t need to provide employer details or ask your employer to complete any steps before you apply
- When filling out form IMM 5710
- online application to extend or restore your student status[opens in a new tab]
2. Don’t pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics(opens in a new tab) )
- To tell us you don’t need to pay fees, in your account choose “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” when asked if you will be paying fees or if you’re fee exempt.
3. Upload these required documents in the “Supporting documents” section:
- Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Sudanese passport.
- Under “Proof of fee exemption,” upload a letter that states “I am exempt from paying fees under the SD2023 special measures.”
If you apply to change your status and your current status expires before your application is processed
You are considered to 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 you need help downloading, saving and opening a form
Visit our Help Centre(opens in a new tab) .
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.
Apply to restore your status
There are no special measures to help you restore your temporary resident status if it has expired.
If it has been less than 90 days since your status expired, you may be able to apply to restore it. Regular fees and processing times would apply.
If we approve your application to restore your status, you may then be eligible to apply to extend or change your status under these special measures.
Find out how to restore your
How to contact us
Use our web form
To make sure we prioritize your question
- use this web form
- in the “Tell us about your situation” box
- describe your situation, including what you need help with
- add the keyword "SD2023" at the end of your description
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