Some Iranian nationals in Canada will continue to be eligible for special work permits.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy for Iranian nationals who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025.
This policy applies to Iranians with valid temporary resident status who are seeking a work permit, a work permit extension, or an initial study permit.
Initially set to expire on February 28, 2025, the policy has now been extended until February 28, 2026.
Work Permit Provisions
Under this temporary public policy, eligible Iranian nationals can apply for open work permits or extend their existing ones, even if they do not meet the standard requirements for a Canadian work permit.
Open work permits issued under this policy can be valid for up to two years.
Applicants do not need to hold an existing work permit to apply from within Canada.
Additionally, eligible individuals will benefit from priority processing of their applications.
Study Permit Provisions
Eligible Iranian nationals applying for an initial study permit are also covered under this temporary public policy.
They can submit their study permit applications from within Canada.
Study Permit Requirements
While eligible Iranian nationals can apply for an initial study permit under this temporary public policy, they must still meet the standard requirements. These include:
- Enrollment at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI)
- Proof of sufficient funds for tuition and living expenses
- A provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), unless exempt
Iranian nationals seeking to extend an existing study permit are no longer covered under this policy and must follow the standard extension process.
Dropped Provisions
Some provisions from the previous version of the policy have been removed in this extension. Specifically:
- The policy no longer applies to Iranians applying to extend their stay as visitors or extend an existing study permit.
- Fee exemptions have been eliminated for applications submitted on or after March 1, 2025. However, applications submitted before February 28, 2025, will still be processed under the earlier fee exemption rules.
Background
The Canadian federal government initially introduced this temporary public policy in response to civil unrest in Iran, following the tragic killing of Mahsa Amini by the Iranian regime’s so-called “morality police” in September 2022.
The goal of this policy is to provide Iranian nationals already in Canada with a simplified way to extend their temporary stay.
Iranians in Canada can still apply for special open work permits | CIC News
