Extension of Canada’s Temporary Public Policy for Iranians: Special Open Work Permit Eligibility

Following recent developments and new decisions by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), some Iranian nationals residing in Canada will continue to be eligible to apply for special open work permits. This decision, made in light of Iran’s specific political and social circumstances, allows Iranian residents in Canada to more easily extend their stay.

Extension of the Temporary Public Policy for Iranian Nationals

IRCC has decided to extend its temporary public policy for Iranian nationals who arrived in Canada before February 28, 2025. This policy, originally implemented in September 2022 due to civil unrest and political instability in Iran, aims to support Iranians in Canada who are temporarily residing and wish to extend or change their immigration status.

Eligibility Criteria

This policy applies to Iranian nationals with valid temporary resident status who are applying for:

• a work permit,
• an extension of a work permit, or
• an initial study permit.

Eligible individuals may apply for open work permits even if they do not meet the usual criteria required for Canadian work permits.

Open Work Permit Extension for Iranians

Under this temporary public policy, eligible Iranians can apply for open work permits or extend their current work permits. These open work permits are particularly helpful for those who do not qualify under the standard Canadian work permit categories.

Key features of this policy include:

• Open work permits can be issued for up to two years.
• Applicants do not need to hold a current work permit to apply from within Canada.
• Applications will receive priority processing, ensuring faster decisions.

Study Permit Regulations

Iranian nationals applying for their first study permit can also benefit from this policy. They may submit applications from within Canada but must still meet the standard study permit requirements, such as:

• Enrollment in a Designated Learning Institution (DLI),
• Proof of sufficient financial resources to cover tuition and living expenses,
• A valid Provincial Attestation Letter (PAL) or Territorial Attestation Letter (TAL) where applicable.

Note: Iranians applying for study permit extensions are no longer covered by this policy and must go through the regular extension process.

Removal of Some Previous Provisions

With the extension of this policy, some previous provisions have been removed:

• The policy no longer applies to Iranians seeking to extend their visitor status or study permits.
• Fee exemptions will no longer apply to applications submitted on or after March 1, 2025.
• Applications submitted before February 28, 2025 will still benefit from previous fee waivers.

Background and Reasons Behind the Policy

The Canadian federal government introduced this temporary policy in response to the crisis in Iran, aiming to support Iranian nationals affected by political and social turmoil. The policy was originally prompted by the death of Mahsa Amini at the hands of Iran’s morality police in September 2022, which sparked widespread protests and unrest.

The core goal of this policy is to facilitate the extension of stay for Iranians in Canada as temporary residents. It allows them to remain in Canada without facing added stress or delays in securing legal status.

Conclusion

The extension of IRCC’s temporary public policy for Iranian nationals marks an important step in supporting Iranians living in Canada. It not only eases the process of maintaining legal status but also allows them to live in a safe and stable environment.

With this policy now extended until February 28, 2026, Iranian residents in Canada have more time to plan and take action to continue their stay. Eligible individuals should ensure they meet all required criteria and take full advantage of this supportive measure.