Canada is giving a break to those whose immigration and citizenship documentation has been lost or damaged as a result of the massive wildfires.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is going to issue replacement documents for Canadians, permanent residents and temporary residents directly affected by the wildfires for free.

The documents that will be replaced free of charge include permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, Canadian passports and other travel documents that are lost, damaged, destroyed or inaccessible due to wildfires.

“We will continue to be there for those people across the country who are facing extreme wildfires,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.

“These new measures will make it easier for Canadians, permanent residents and temporary residents to replace lost documents. They will also help make sure temporary residents are not unduly penalized and are there to help rebuild our communities.”

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International students, Temporary Foreign Workers (TFW) and visitors who have been directly affected by the wildfires and whose status will expire by Sept. 30 this year will also be eligible to apply, restore or extend their status in Canada free of charge. 

This means temporary workers who are unable to work because their workplace is closed due to the fires don’t need to worry. They will be able to extend their status and stay in Canada until their workplaces reopen. 

International students can also extend their study permits if their classes are delayed or cancelled. That will allow them to finish their studies without penalty.

The special measures, which kicked off June 9 will be in effect until Sept. 30, 2023.

On its website, the IRCC provides the details of these special measures.

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Those who want to replace a lost, damaged or destroyed citizenship certificate online can do so and will be refunded the fees they have to pay. Those who go through the same process with a paper application can do so for free.

Passports which have been lost, damaged or destroyed can also be replaced for free if the passport was still valid for more than six months and the applicant isn’t changing the name, date of birth, place of birth or sex on the new passport. 

The new passport will then have the same expiration date as the original.

Permanent resident cards issued in the last five years are also being replaced for free – sort of. Applicants do not need to pay the processing or biometrics fees but do need to pay for the photograph for the card.

Study and Work Permits and Visitor Visa Documentation Are All Being Offered for Free

The lost, damaged or destroyed immigration documents that can be replaced for free include:

• visitor visas;
• visitor records;
• study permits;
• work permits;
• records of landing, and;
• confirmations of permanent residence.

Since records of landing and confirmations of permanent residence cannot be reprinted, immigration officials will provide applicants with Verification of Status (VOS) documents which contain the applicant’s complete immigration history.

Visitors and temporary foreign workers can also extend their statuses under certain conditions.

“You can extend or restore your visitor status for free if your status was valid on May 6, 2023, and will expire before Sept. 30, 2023,” notes the IRCC on its website.

“You need to apply for a visitor record to extend your visitor status.”

TFWs who want to extend their status will also be able to do so for free provided that status was valid on May 6 of this year and will expire before Sept. 30, 2023.

International students whose colleges or universities were closed due to the wildfires are being considered by the IRCC to be on authorized leave during that time if those were Designated Learning Institutions (DLI).

“You can pause your studies or progress towards a degree without a penalty, still be able to work off-campus if your study permit lets you work, and still be eligible to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP),” the IRCC notes.