On December 24, 2021, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published new instructions regarding temporary special measures to help Canadian permanent and temporary residents affected by the British Columbia floods of 2021.
Visitors, international students, and foreign workers will not have to pay fees for extending or restoring temporary resident status (TR), and they will not have to seek TR status restoration within 90 days.
Permanent residents and citizens are exempt from payment of replacement fees for documents issued by the IRCC that were lost, damaged, or otherwise inaccessible.
In southern British Columbia, heavy rains on November 15, 2021 caused widespread flooding, forcing the evacuation of entire cities, washing out major highways, and cutting off many communities.
To support those affected by the floods in British Columbia, the minister has authorized special measures to waive fees for Canadians and permanent residents seeking to replace their permanent resident cards, passports, and other travel documents, and proof of citizenship documents.
Foreign nationals in B.C. that were directly affected by the flooding and who held a valid temporary resident status in Canada when the flooding began are exempt from the requirement to pay fees associated with:
As a result of this public policy, foreign nationals who were directly affected by the floods in B.C., and who held a valid temporary resident status in Canada when the flooding started are exempt from the requirement to pay fees associated with:
the re-issuance of temporary resident status documents
applications to extend or restore their status as temporary residents
renewing work or study permits
the provision of services in relation to the collection of biometric information, where applicable
In addition, those affected by the floods will have more time to restore their temporarily resident status if necessary.