Iranians in Canada can still apply for special open work permits

Some Iranian nationals will continue to be able to apply for special work permits.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a temporary public policy which applies to Iranian nationals in Canada who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025.

The policy applies to Iranians with valid temporary resident status who are applying for a work permit, work permit extension, or an initial study permit.

The policy has been extended until February 28, 2026. Prior to the most recent extension, the policy had been set to expire on February 28, 2025.

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Work Permit Provisions

Under this temporary public policy, eligible Iranian nationals can apply for open work permits and/or to extend their existing work permits, even if they don’t meet the normal requirements needed for a Canadian work permit.

Open work permits can be issued for up to two years under this policy.

Eligible individuals do not require an existing work permit to apply for one of these open work permits from within Canada.

They will also benefit from priority processing on their applications.

Study Permit Provisions

Eligible Iranian nationals applying for an initial study permit also benefit under this temporary public policy.

These individuals can apply for initial study permits from within Canada.

They must still meet the usual requirements for a study permit, including being enrolled at a Designated Learning Institution (DLI), having enough money for tuition and living expenses, and having a provincial or territorial attestation letter (PAL or TAL), unless exempt.

Iranian nationals applying for extensions of existing study permits are no longer covered under this temporary public policy, and must now follow the normal process to apply to extend their study permits.

Dropped Provisions

Some provisions which were previously in force have been dropped on the policy extension. This policy no longer applies to Iranians applying to extend their stay as a visitor, or applying to extend an existing study permit.

IRCC has also removed the fee exemptions for all applications submitted on or after March 1, 2025. Applications submitted prior to Feb 28, 2025 will be processed in accordance with the earlier fee exemptions.

Background

The Canadian federal government originally implemented this temporary public policy in response to civil unrest in Iran “following the tragic killing of Mahsa Amini by the Iranian regime’s so-called ‘morality police’ in September 2022.”

The intention of the temporary public policy is to allow Iranian nationals already in Canada to prolong their stay in Canada as temporary residents more easily.

Schedule a Free Work Permit Consultation with the Cohen Immigration Law Firm