Canada waives fees for lost passports amid wildfire crisis

As Canada continues to experience one of its most devastating wildfire seasons, the federal government has announced new support measures to assist those displaced or impacted by the fires.

In a statement released Wednesday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it will offer free replacements for Canadians and permanent residents who lost important documents in the wildfires, including passports (and permanent resident cards)

Those who have already paid to replace their documents on or after April 1 can apply for a refund.

Temporary residents impacted by the wildfires—such as international students and temporary foreign workers—are also eligible for free replacements of their immigration documents, as well as free renewals or restoration of their work or study permits in Canada.

“The requirement for temporary residents to apply for the restoration of their status within 90 days of losing their status will also be waived for those impacted by wildfires,” the press release says.

The federal government clarified that these measures do not apply to employer-specific work permit holders who wish to transition to an open work permit.

This year’s wildfire season — considered the second most severe in Canada’s history — has already scorched 3.7 million hectares, an area roughly six times the size of Prince Edward Island.

As of July, around 465 wildfires are active across the country, with several labeled as “out of control,” according to the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre.

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