Current Immigration Measures to support immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who have departed Sudan.

Due to the armed conflict that has erupted between rival factions in Sudan, Canada has announced a new temporary public policy.

Due to the armed conflict that has erupted between rival factions in Sudan, Canada has been taking measures to ensure a secure departure from Sudan to a safe third country to enable individuals the chance to decide their next steps for onward travel to Canada.

If you meet certain requirements a foreign national may be eligible for facilitated travel to Canada:

1. are the family member – per the definition of subsection 1(3) of the Regulations (see below) – of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident of Canada who left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023;
2. are outside of Sudan and in a third country; and
3. left Sudan on or after April 15, 2023

To be eligible under these measures, the foreign national is not required to have travelled with the Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member.

To be eligible for the in-Canada application benefits, a foreign national must have entered Canada before July 15, 2023.

Family Member definition is;

1. the spouse or common-law partner of the person;
2. a dependent child of the person or of the person’s spouse or common-law partner; and

• a dependent child of a dependent child referred to in paragraph (b).

1. Extended family members are not eligible and are not included under these measures.

If you are a Sudanese national and are already in Canada then you are eligible to extend your stay for free.

If you are overseas there are specific measures that must be taken. A dedicated IRCC portal has been created that clients must sign up for – https://www.ircc.canada.ca/visit-visiter/en/get-account-ircc-portal

A code will then be issued allowing you to submit an application through the portal where all fees will be waived

On Arrival to Canada

If you are eligible and have been admitted into Canada under these temporary measures before 15 July, 2023 it will make you eligible to apply for fee-exempt open work permits and study permits. There is also an option of submitting fee-exempt permanent resident applications.

This public policy is in place as of May 1st, 2023 and will continue through to April 30th, 2024