Support for Applicants Affected by the 2024 Alberta Wildfires

In response to the devastating wildfires that have swept across Alberta in 2024, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) and Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) have introduced several temporary measures to assist affected applicants. This article provides an in-depth overview of these support mechanisms, including detailed descriptions and eligibility criteria.

Temporary Measures by AAIP

On July 26, 2024, AAIP implemented specific measures to support applicants whose employment has been disrupted due to wildfire evacuations in Alberta:

• Application Holds: Applications based on job offers or residence in evacuated Alberta communities will be held for up to one year from the evacuation date of the respective community.
• Meeting AAIP Criteria: Applicants have up to one year to meet the AAIP criteria. This includes finding new employment in eligible occupations with Alberta employers if their previous employment was lost due to the wildfires.

Temporary Measures by IRCC

IRCC has introduced several temporary special measures to assist those directly affected by the Canadian wildfires. These measures, effective from July 19, 2024, to November 30, 2024, include:

1. Document Replacement:

• Citizenship Certificates or Cards: Applications to replace lost, damaged, or destroyed citizenship certificates (proof of citizenship) can be done online or on paper for free. Online applications will have fees refunded once processed.
• Passports: Valid passports that were lost, damaged, or destroyed can be replaced for free, provided they had more than six months of validity remaining. Applicants are responsible for passport photo fees.
• Non-Canadian Travel Documents: Certificates of identity or refugee travel documents can be replaced for free, excluding photo fees.
• Permanent Resident (PR) Cards: Valid PR cards issued in the last five years can be replaced without processing or biometric fees.
• Other Immigration Documents: Free replacement of visitor visas, visitor records, study permits, work permits, temporary resident permits, records of landing (IMM 1000), and confirmations of permanent residence (IMM 5292 or IMM 5688). Instead of reprinting records of landing and confirmations of permanent residence, a verification of status (VOS) document will be provided.

2. Temporary Resident Status:

• Extend or Restore Visitor Status: Visitors can extend or restore their status for free if it was valid on July 19, 2024, and will expire before November 30, 2024.
• Extend or Restore Worker Status: Workers can extend or restore their status for free if it was valid on July 19, 2024, and will expire before November 30, 2024.
• Extend or Restore Student Status: Students can extend or restore their status for free if it was valid on July 19, 2024, and will expire before November 30, 2024.

3. Special Application Processes:
   • Refund Requests: Applicants may be eligible for refunds if they applied to replace documents, extend or restore temporary resident status, or transition from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit before or after July 19, 2024.
   • Urgent Processing: Applicants can request urgent processing of their applications through a specific web form by selecting “Request Priority Processing for my existing application” and using the code “WFF2024” under the “Tell us about your request” section.

Detailed Overview of Temporary Measures

AAIP Measures

IRCC Measures for Document Replacement

IRCC Measures for Status Extension/Restoration

Additional Support Information

• Refund Requests: Applicants may be eligible for refunds if they applied to replace documents, extend or restore temporary resident status, or transition from an employer-specific work permit to an open work permit before or after July 19, 2024.
• Urgent Processing: Applicants can request urgent processing of their applications through a specific web form by selecting “Request Priority Processing for my existing application” and using the code “WFF2024” under the “Tell us about your request” section.

The 2024 wildfires in Alberta and other parts of Canada have prompted a swift and compassionate response from AAIP and IRCC, ensuring that affected individuals have the support they need to navigate this challenging period. These measures are critical in helping individuals maintain their legal status, replace essential documents, and find new employment opportunities.