Temporary Public Policy for nationals of Türkiye and Syria affected by the earthquakes of February 6, 2023

Background

Two powerful earthquakes struck Türkiye and Syria on Monday, February 6, 2023 causing large-scale death and destruction. As of March 5, 2023, the death toll is estimated at over 53,000. Freezing weather conditions are further endangering survivors and complicating rescue efforts, and more than 100 aftershocks have struck the region. Canada has committed $30 million in humanitarian assistance funding to Türkiye and Syria as part of the international response to this natural catastrophe.

This public policy supports Canada’s immigration response by exempting certain immigration processing fees for nationals of Türkiye and Syria and facilitating access to work and study permits for those who may wish to prolong their stay in Canada before returning due to the earthquake. Recognizing that some foreign nationals in Türkiye and Syria with outstanding applications for permanent residence may have lost their passports along with their homes, travel document requirements are also being waived for this cohort in certain circumstances.

Therefore, I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting, pursuant to section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, of exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements)

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below when a foreign national meets at least one of the following conditions:

1. The foreign national
   1. Is a national of Türkiye or Syria in Canada with valid temporary resident status; and
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit.
2. The foreign national
   1. Is a national of Türkiye or Syria in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit; and
   3. Has applied for a work permit under section 200 or 201 of the Regulations.
3. The foreign national
   1. Is a national of Türkiye or Syria in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit; and
   3. Has applied for a study permit under section 216 or 217 of the Regulations from within Canada.
4. The foreign national
   1. Is a national of Türkiye or Syria;
   2. Is ready to be approved for a permanent resident visa to come to Canada, but is unable to obtain a prescribed passport or travel document as described in section 50(1) of the Regulations; and
   3. Is outside of Canada.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted:

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 1)

• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 305(1) – the requirements to pay an application processing fee for an extension of authorization to remain in Canada as temporary resident;
• Subsection 315.1(1) – the requirement to pay for the provision of service in relation to the collection of biometric information.

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 2)

• Paragraphs 199(a)-(i) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;
• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 299(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a work permit;
• Subsection 315.1(1) – the requirement to pay for the provision of service in relation to the collection of biometric information.

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 3)

• Section 213 of the Regulations – the requirement to apply for a study permit before entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 215(1)(a)-(g) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit after entering Canada;
• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 300(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a study permit;
• Subsection 315.1(1) – the requirement to pay for the provision of service in relation to the collection of biometric information.

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 4)

• Subsection 50(1) – the requirement to hold a passport or travel document.

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements unless otherwise exempted by this temporary public policy or another public policy.

Effective Date and Expiration

This public policy comes into effect 14 days after the date of signature. This public policy applies to applications received on or after the date it comes into effect. This public policy will expire 180 days after the date of signature, and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.