Canada extends narrower temporary work permit relief for some Iranians already in the country
Latest news on WhatsApp أجدد الأخبار على واتسابOttawa has decided to keep a limited temporary immigration pathway open for some Iranian nationals already in Canada, allowing eligible applicants to renew their work permits from داخل the country instead of seeing that measure end at the start of March.
The extension applies to Iranian nationals in Canada who hold a valid work permit issued on or before February 28, 2025. Under the updated measure, they may continue to apply from within Canada, with the policy now set to remain in place until March 31, 2027. Regular processing fees still apply.
The revised approach is more limited than the broader relief package Canada had previously offered. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada says the temporary measure now applies only to eligible work permit holders already in Canada. Visitors and international students are no longer covered under this special framework and must rely on regular immigration streams if they want to extend their temporary status.
According to the published rules, applicants must be Iranian nationals physically in Canada, hold valid temporary resident status, and have a work permit that was issued by the February 28, 2025 deadline or earlier. They must also apply from inside Canada and must not have already received an exemption under the same public policy.
IRCC guidance says eligible applicants may receive a work permit extension of up to two years. Those who submit an application before their current documents expire may also be allowed to remain in Canada legally while their file is being processed.
In effect, the federal government did not carry forward the full set of earlier emergency measures. Instead, it preserved a narrower option designed to help a specific group of Iranian workers already in the Canadian labour market maintain legal work status while Ottawa says conditions in Iran remain unstable.
