IRCC has prolonged its special support program for people affected by the 2025 wildfires
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended special support measures for people affected by the 2025 wildfire season. These measures now remain in place until November 30, 2025. They apply to newcomers, temporary residents, permanent residents, and Canadian citizens who lost documents or status because of the fires.
People can use these measures even if they live outside the fire zones. They must, however, provide a signed statement explaining how the wildfires affected them.
IRCC offers several types of help under these temporary rules. They include fee waivers, extended application deadlines, and document replacement for those who lost passports, permits, or ID cards. Officers may also process urgent requests more quickly when needed.
Temporary residents—such as visitors, international students, and workers—can extend or restore their status without paying standard fees. They can also replace damaged or lost permits and visas.
Permanent residents can request a free replacement of lost or destroyed PR cards, while citizens can replace passports and citizenship certificates without charge. Replacement passports issued during this period will keep the same expiry date as the originals.
Anyone who held a valid temporary status on July 2, 2025, gets more time to restore or extend it. If a person’s status expired before September 2, 2025, they have until November 30, 2025 to apply. Those whose status expires after that date must still follow the regular 90-day restoration rule.
Applicants who cannot meet document or contact requirements because of wildfire disruptions will not face immediate refusals. Officers can hold their files open until they re-establish contact or until the special measures end.
Applicants must include an attestation letter explaining how the fires affected them. Supporting evidence—like ID, proof of residence, employer letters, or school notices—can strengthen applications. Workers may provide a note from their employer, while students may include a letter from their school if closures or delays occurred.
Permanent residents who lost PR cards issued in the past five years can apply for replacements without paying a fee. They must include a signed declaration form confirming the loss or damage. If biometrics are needed for a replacement, IRCC will waive those fees as well.
Canadian citizens can get free replacements for citizenship certificates and travel documents. This includes passports, refugee travel documents, and certificates of identity. Urgent or express service fees are also waived.
Applicants must follow regular application procedures but mark their forms clearly to show they qualify for wildfire support.
Processing times remain standard, but IRCC officers may treat some files as urgent if applicants show pressing need.
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