published on 23 March 2026 @ 2:46 pm · COMMENT

IRCC Narrows and Extends Work Permit Relief Measures for Iranian Nationals

The Government of Canada has introduced a revised temporary public policy extending limited work permit relief for Iranian nationals currently in Canada, effective March 1, 2026 through March 31, 2027. Under the revised policy, eligible Iranian nationals may apply from within Canada to extend their work permits, provided they hold valid temporary resident status and a work permit issued on or before February 28, 2025. Applicants must also meet standard admissibility requirements and must not have previously received an exemption under this policy.

Notably, the revised policy represents a narrowing of prior measures. Earlier provisions allowed a broader range of Iranian temporary residents, including visitors and students, to transition to work or study permits from within Canada. The policy also explicitly restricts eligibility to one-time use, and individuals who obtained their initial work permits on or after March 1, 2025 are excluded.

As with all temporary public policies, these measures may be revoked without notice and remain subject to all other applicable legislative and admissibility requirements. Overall, the revision signals a shift toward more constrained, case-specific relief while maintaining limited support for affected Iranian nationals already integrated into the Canadian workforce.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE