Headline: Canada Announces Special Measures for Wildfire Victims, Providing Free Replacement Documents and Work Permit Transitions
In a bold move to assist those impacted by the devastating wildfires that plagued Canada last year, the government has launched special measures to aid citizens and permanent residents affected by the natural disaster. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced today that individuals directly impacted by the wildfires will have access to free replacement documents.
Under the special measures, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lost, damaged, or had documents inaccessible due to the wildfires can obtain free replacements for important items such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other travel documents. Additionally, employer-specific work permit holders affected by the fires will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit, offering them flexibility during this challenging time. These measures are set to be in effect until November 30, 2024, providing those affected with ample time to navigate their circumstances.
Furthermore, international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors impacted by the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by the end of November 2024 will be eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada without any additional fees. This means that temporary workers facing workplace closures due to the fires can extend their status, while international students can continue their studies without penalty, should their classes be delayed or canceled.
Moreover, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in firefighting efforts will be exempted from application and biometrics fees, showcasing both appreciation for their crucial support and a streamlined process to facilitate their vital work.
Minister Miller expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to aiding wildfire victims, simplifying the document replacement process, and extending gratitude to the brave first responders and firefighters, as well as foreign emergency personnel joining the firefighting efforts.
Individuals applying for extensions to their temporary resident status and renewals of work permits will retain their current status during the application processing period and will remain eligible to work according to their initial work permit conditions.
With approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lending a hand in combating wildfires in Canada last year, these special measures aim to provide essential assistance to those affected and to ensure a smoother recovery process.
In a bold move to assist those impacted by the devastating wildfires that plagued Canada last year, the government has launched special measures to aid citizens and permanent residents affected by the natural disaster. The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, announced today that individuals directly impacted by the wildfires will have access to free replacement documents.
Under the special measures, Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have lost, damaged, or had documents inaccessible due to the wildfires can obtain free replacements for important items such as permanent resident cards, Canadian citizenship certificates, passports, and other travel documents. Additionally, employer-specific work permit holders affected by the fires will have the opportunity to transition to an open work permit, offering them flexibility during this challenging time. These measures are set to be in effect until November 30, 2024, providing those affected with ample time to navigate their circumstances.
Furthermore, international students, temporary foreign workers, and other visitors impacted by the wildfires and whose status is set to expire by the end of November 2024 will be eligible to restore or extend their status in Canada without any additional fees. This means that temporary workers facing workplace closures due to the fires can extend their status, while international students can continue their studies without penalty, should their classes be delayed or canceled.
Moreover, foreign emergency services personnel coming to Canada to assist in firefighting efforts will be exempted from application and biometrics fees, showcasing both appreciation for their crucial support and a streamlined process to facilitate their vital work.
Minister Miller expressed the government’s unwavering commitment to aiding wildfire victims, simplifying the document replacement process, and extending gratitude to the brave first responders and firefighters, as well as foreign emergency personnel joining the firefighting efforts.
Individuals applying for extensions to their temporary resident status and renewals of work permits will retain their current status during the application processing period and will remain eligible to work according to their initial work permit conditions.
With approximately 5,600 foreign emergency services personnel lending a hand in combating wildfires in Canada last year, these special measures aim to provide essential assistance to those affected and to ensure a smoother recovery process.
