IRCC Extends Special Wildfire Relief Measures — Fee Waivers and Deadline Extensions Available Until November 30, 2025
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended a suite of special measures to help people affected by Canada’s 2025 wildfire season. The relief package — now available through November 30, 2025 — offers fee waivers, extended filing windows, and document-replacement protections for newcomers and citizens whose travel, immigration or citizenship documents were lost, damaged, or disrupted by the wildfires.
The measures apply broadly to temporary residents (visitors, work- and study-permit holders, and TRP holders), permanent residents and Canadian citizens. Importantly, applicants do not need to be physically located inside an affected burn area to qualify; they must provide a signed attestation describing how the wildfires affected them and, where possible, supporting evidence.
What the wildfire relief measures cover
IRCC’s wildfire measures are grouped by immigration status and include a mixture of fee relief, extra filing time, document replacement, and potential expedited handling where a reviewing officer deems it appropriate.
Key time windows
- For temporary residents (extensions/restorations and most document replacements): July 2 – November 30, 2025.
- For permanent residents and Canadian citizens (replacement documents and related fee waivers): April 1 – November 30, 2025.
Summary of principal measures
- Fee waivers for eligible replacement documents and selected application fees (see specifics below).
- Extra time to apply to extend or restore status for affected temporary residents.
- Replacement of lost or damaged documents (PR cards, citizenship certificates, passports, work/study permits, visitor records, TRV counterfoils, TRPs, Verification of Status).
- Waived biometrics fees when biometrics are required for replacement documents during the relief window.
- Maintained status for certain work permit extension applicants, allowing continued work under existing permit conditions while IRCC processes the extension.
- Urgent processing at officer discretion for applicants who can demonstrate a pressing need (medical emergency, imminent travel, employment requirements).
Who is eligible
IRCC’s relief measures are available to people of all immigration statuses who can show they were impacted by the 2025 wildfire season. Eligibility requires:
- Self-identification as directly affected by wildfires in Canada (physical presence in the burn area is not required).
- A signed attestation describing the wildfire’s impact on the applicant (detail how your status, documents, housing, employment or education were disrupted).
- Submission of the relevant application or replacement request by November 30, 2025.
- Where possible, supporting evidence to corroborate the attestation (examples below).
IRCC will assess each case and may ask for further information; however, officers have been instructed to be flexible and to avoid refusing files solely because the applicant cannot produce certain documents during the relief period.
Measures for temporary residents (visitors, workers, students, TRP holders)
Fee relief and document replacement
- Waived fees for extensions and restorations of status, replacement of visitor records, work permits, study permits, TRP documents, and TRV counterfoils.
- Waived work-permit fees, open work permit holder fee, study permit fee, biometrics fee (where applicable) and select application processing fees during the relief window.
Extended timelines for extensions and restorations
- If your status expired before September 2, 2025, you have until November 30, 2025 to apply to extend or restore status under these measures.
- If your status expires on or after September 2, 2025, the normal 90-day restoration window applies.
- Affected applicants who submit an extension or restoration application within the relevant timeframe may receive maintained status and be permitted to continue working under the same conditions as their expired permit (where the application is for the same employer-specific work permit).
Replacement documents and special conditions
- IRCC will replace lost or damaged TRV counterfoils, visitor records, work/study permits and other temporary documents.
- TRP holders should note: maintained status does not apply to TRPs; individuals whose TRP expires are not permitted to work or study unless a valid work/study permit is provided. TRP holders who require a new or replacement TRP must submit a paper application; a TRP used to return to Canada must have at least six months’ validity to permit work or study.
Recommended supporting documents for temporary residents
- Proof of residence or temporary stay in the affected area (government ID, recent utility bill, hotel receipt).
- Employer letters on company letterhead describing workplace disruption (for workers).
- Evidence of school closure or disruption (registrar’s letter, mass email to students, notice on the institution’s website) for students.
Measures for permanent residents
Replacement of PR documentation and fee waivers
- Fee-free replacement of PR cards issued in the previous five years if lost, stolen, destroyed, or damaged because of the wildfires.
- Fee waiver for Verification of Status (VOS) replacements when original landing documents cannot be reissued.
- No biometrics fee where biometrics are required for a replacement file during the relief window.
Required steps
- Follow the usual PR card replacement procedure and include the standard solemn declaration for lost/stolen/damaged PR cards. IRCC will waive replacement fees for eligible applicants.
Measures for Canadian citizens
Replacement documents and fee waivers
- Fee-free replacement of citizenship certificates for applicants impacted by wildfires. Where applicants paid online and are eligible, IRCC may refund previously paid fees.
- Fee waivers for replacement passports and related services (including urgent and express services, application transfers and consular fees) from April 1 – November 30, 2025. Replacement passports issued under these measures will carry the same expiry date as the lost or damaged passport.
How to apply and how to flag your application
General application instructions
- Submit a complete application as you normally would for the service you require (online or paper). Include your signed attestation explaining how the wildfires affected you and attach any supporting evidence you have.
How to ensure IRCC flags your application for wildfire relief
- Online applications: Include the phrase WFF2025 somewhere in the submission text so officers can identify that you are requesting assessment under the wildfire measures. IRCC has not specified a fixed field, so include it conspicuously.
- Paper applications: Write WILDFIRES25 on the envelope and on the first page of the application package.
Urgent requests
- Applicants with urgent needs may submit an urgent request through IRCC’s webform; the Client Support Center or the processing office may mark the file as urgent or refer it for immediate assessment. Urgent processing remains discretionary.
Processing expectations
- Files will follow regular service standards unless they meet established urgent criteria. IRCC officers have discretion to apply compassionate case-by-case decisions and to set files aside rather than refuse them where contact cannot be re-established during the relief window.
Practical tips for applicants
- Prepare a clear attestation: Describe concretely how the wildfires harmed or disrupted your documents, status, housing, travel plans, employment or studies. Sign and date the statement.
- Collect any corroborating evidence: Even basic evidence — hotel receipts, news reports of area disruptions, employer letters, DLI notices, or photos — will strengthen your file.
- Use the correct flag phrase: Put WFF2025 in online submissions or WILDFIRES25 on paper applications.
- Apply early: Submit your application before November 30, 2025 to secure relief under the current measures.
- Keep records: Retain copies of your attestation, supporting documents, receipts, and any IRCC correspondence.
- Seek representation if needed: An experienced immigration representative can help prepare attestations, compile evidence, and request urgent processing where appropriate.
Final note
IRCC’s wildfire relief measures provide crucial flexibility for applicants whose immigration or citizenship paperwork has been affected by the 2025 wildfires. While officers are empowered to provide compassionate, case-by-case discretion, applicants should act promptly, prepare thorough supporting documentation, and clearly flag their applications to benefit from the special measures in place through November 30, 2025.
For a consultation about Immigration options, reach out to the CAD IMMIGRATION today!
