Work Permit Extension for Haitian and Sudanese Nationals

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its public policies regarding foreign nationals affected by global crises. On October 27, 2026, as the previous temporary measures were set to expire, the department announced a targeted extension for nationals of Haiti and Sudan. This decision allows individuals already integrated into the Canadian labour market to continue supporting themselves legally while conflicts persist in their home countries.

However, this announcement marks a significant shift in IRCC's approach. Immigration professionals and applicants must pay close attention to the new conditions, which differ considerably from the initial exemptions.

What changes in IRCC policy

The October 27, 2026 update introduces two major modifications compared to previous public policies.

First, the measure is now strictly limited to work permits. Previous policies offered broad coverage, jointly including work permits, study permits, and visitor records. IRCC has chosen to tighten this measure to focus solely on maintaining the work authorization of individuals already active in the Canadian economy. Consequently, Haitian and Sudanese nationals wishing to extend their visitor status or study permit can no longer benefit from this special policy. They must now use regular immigration pathways, meet general eligibility criteria, and pay the corresponding fees for those applications.

Second, the systematic fee exemption that characterized the initial measures has been abolished. Applications to extend these work permits are now subject to standard IRCC processing fees. This return to standard pricing requires financial preparation for applicants wishing to maintain their status.

Who is affected by this extension?

This public policy targets a very specific group. To be eligible for a work permit extension under this measure, an applicant must meet the following conditions:

• Be a national of Haiti or Sudan.
• Currently reside in Canada.
• Be unable to return to their home country due to ongoing crises and conflicts.
• Hold a valid work permit that was specifically issued under the previous special temporary measures granted for Haiti or Sudan.

It is crucial to note what is excluded from this policy. The measure does not apply to new initial applications. It exclusively targets current holders of a permit granted under the previous regimes. Therefore, it is not a general reopening of exemptions for newcomers or individuals who did not benefit from the previous measures.

Key dates and figures to remember

To properly plan the process, here are the temporal and financial elements to consider:

Applicants should therefore expect a total of $255 if they are applying for an open work permit, which is the most common scenario under this type of public policy.

What to do to maintain status

Eligible Haitian and Sudanese nationals must act proactively to avoid any loss of status in Canada.

The primary step is to submit a work permit extension application online. The golden rule is to submit this application strictly before the expiration date of the current work permit.

If the application is filed on time, the worker benefits from what is called maintained status (formerly known as implied status). In accordance with the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR, sections 183(5) and 186u), this status allows the applicant to retain the legal authorization to work in Canada. They can continue to perform their job under the same conditions as those listed on their existing permit throughout the entire processing time of their file by IRCC, even if the physical document has expired in the meantime.

Immigration consultants must ensure their clients fully understand the importance of this deadline and have the necessary funds to pay the now-mandatory processing fees. An application submitted after the permit expires would result in a loss of status and the obligation to stop working immediately, significantly complicating the foreign national's situation.