Natural disaster in Canada? You may now have 6 months, not 90 days, to restore your legal status
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Canada has introduced a temporary immigration measure giving some visitors, international students and foreign workers up to 6 months to restore their temporary resident status after losing it, instead of the usual 90-day deadline. The measure applies to people directly affected by natural disasters in Canada between April 1, 2026 and November 30, 2028.
To qualify, a person must be in Canada, must have been directly affected by a natural disaster in Canada, and must have held valid temporary status as a visitor, student or worker on the date they were affected. The federal policy covers major events such as wildfires, floods, storms, hurricanes and earthquakes, along with other severe natural events that overwhelm a community’s ability to cope.
Ottawa says being directly affected can include evacuation, displacement, loss of property or key documents, or prolonged disruption to power, telecommunications or other essential services that interferes with a person’s ability to manage their immigration status. The policy also sets out the conditions under which an extreme event can be treated as a natural disaster for these purposes.
The longer window is not automatic relief. Applicants still need to file the proper restoration or renewal request, include a signed attestation explaining when and how the disaster affected them, and use the code NaturalDisaster2026. They must also provide proof of residence or temporary stay in the affected area, such as government ID, a utility bill or a hotel receipt. Standard fees still apply.
Workers may also need to provide their employer’s name and address, plus proof that the workplace is not operating because of the disaster. Students may need to provide their designated learning institution’s information and proof that the school has closed, if applicable. If a designated learning institution is closed because of the disaster, students are considered to be on authorized leave, can pause their studies without penalty, may continue working off campus if their permit allows it, and remain eligible to apply later for a post-graduation work permit.
The government also allows affected applicants to request urgent processing through its web form by citing NaturalDisaster2026 and explaining why priority treatment is needed. In practical
