Temporary permits for Iranian family
Petitioners ask the Minister to invoke s.25.2 IRPA to grant immediate family of Iranians in Canada temporary resident, work and study permits, waive fees, expedite processing to 15 days, issue three‑year permits and report within six months. The government responds it assesses crises case‑by‑case, extended measures for Iranians, and maintains screening and fees.
Why we would sign this petition
- Reunites immediate families quickly, reducing prolonged separation and psychological harm and improving newcomers' ability to integrate.
- Waiving documentary requirements and allowing alternative documents addresses barriers created by collapsed communication and government services, making applications feasible during the crisis.
- Invoking s.25.2 and issuing temporary permits uses existing discretionary IRPA powers for a targeted, lawful humanitarian response to an acute emergency.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Waiving eligibility criteria and biometrics raises admissibility and security concerns; relaxing checks could increase risks to public safety.
- Removing fees and fast‑tracking applications creates cost and resource pressures and may divert capacity from other urgent immigration cases.
- A 15‑day processing target and broad document exemptions may be hard to implement fairly, risking fraud, inconsistent decisions or administrative bottlenecks.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
Petition to the Government of Canada The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) recognizes family reunification as a core objective (s.23(1)(d)) and empowers the Minister to grant public-policy exemptions (s.25.2); Israel’s June 13, 2025 military strikes on Iran triggered a humanitarian crisis, targeting civilian and military infrastructure and resulting in at least 224 deaths and over 2,500 injured, primarily civilians; Iranian civilians lack bomb shelters, are sheltering in underground parking lots, and fleeing Tehran amid mass evacuation Communication, banking, and government services have collapsed, preventing Iranian relatives of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, students, and workers from meeting visa requirements; These families include Canadians separated from spouses or minor children who cannot obtain essential documentation; Canada has international human-rights obligations and a humanitarian leadership tradition, and continued family separation during active conflict causes severe psychological trauma and undermines integration in Canada; and Current IRPA/IRPR requirements—such as proof of ties, financial means, return intent, and standard eligibility—are impossible to satisfy under present crisis conditions. We, the undersigned, Citizens and Permanent Residents of Canada, call upon the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship to • Immediately invoke s.25.2 IRPA to issue temporary resident, work, and study permits to immediate family members of Iranian nationals lawfully in Canada; • Exempt applications from IRPA20(1)(b), 22(2), 39, and IRPR179(b)/181(2) requirements; • Ensure expedited 15-day processing, waive application and biometrics fees, and maintain only necessary security, health, and criminal screenings; • Define “immediate family” to include spouses/common-law partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents, and siblings; • Allow alternative documentation where government infrastructure is destroyed; • Implement this emergency policy within 15 days; • Issue permits valid for three years (with extension options); • Report to Parliament within six months on numbers reunited and any administrative/security challenges.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Signed by PETER FRAGISKATOS, M.P. Canada remains deeply concerned about the situation in the Middle East and empathizes with those affected. When responding to international crises, situations are examined on a case-by-case basis, and measures are tailored to meet the unique needs of each crisis. We evaluate how Canada can best help by identifying which immigration measures to deploy, including a combination of permanent and temporary pathways and discretionary tools, as part of the broader Government of Canada response. We coordinate with our international partners and consider what they are doing to support. Following the protests in response to the killing of Mahsa Amini that erupted on September 16, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced temporary special measures in February 2023 to support Iranian temporary residents who arrived in Canada before February 28, 2025. In recognition that the situation in Iran continues to be unstable due to various factors, most notably Iran’s implication in the regional conflict that emerged as a result of Israel’s war in Gaza, these measures have been extended until February 28, 2026. Given Iranian national temporary residents in Canada may be unable to return to Iran at this time, they remain able to apply from within Canada for open work permits or study permits subject to standard fees. Those who are currently in Canada wishing to extend their stay as a visitor or study permit holder can now apply through the regular IRCC programming. IRCC continues to priority process initial open work permits and study permits for Iranians in Canada with valid temporary resident status who arrived in Canada on or before February 28, 2025. All Iranian nationals require a visa to come to Canada and need to meet legislative eligibility and admissibility requirements. The completion of security screening, where applicable, is an important part of the review process, and biometric checks are one of the best methods to identify people who may be inadmissible or pose a threat to Canada. If individuals are unable to send us documents, they may follow the steps listed on IRCC’ website. Application fees support the long-term financial sustainability of temporary measures and bring greater consistency across Canada’s immigration programs. We continue to monitor the situation in collaboration with our partners and will adapt our response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support.