Earthquake in Morocco: Temporary immigration, passport and citizenship measures

Apply online to extend your status – visitor

You can extend your status for free if

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the visitor record to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. Your visitor record will outline the conditions of your stay in Canada, including how long you can stay.

Apply online to extend your status – worker

You can extend your status for free if

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the work permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The work permit will outline

• the type of work you can do
• how long you can work

Apply online to extend your status – student

You can extend your status for free if

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the study permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The study permit will outline all the conditions of your stay.

Apply on paper for a new temporary resident permit and a work permit

You can apply for another temporary resident permit for free if

Apply on paper

1. Complete the paper application (opens in a new tab) .
2. When completing form IMM 5710, under Section 3 at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit” and the type of work permit you’re applying for.
3. For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees.
   • Find out if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) .
4. Provide these required documents with your application:
   • a copy of your Moroccan passport
     • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
   • proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar)
   • a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”
5. Write “MAR2023” on the mailing envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.

If your current temporary resident permit expires before we finalize your application

You must stop working until we issue you

• a new temporary resident permit
• a work permit that authorizes you to work

Apply on paper for a new temporary resident permit and a study permit

You can apply for a new temporary resident permit for free if

• you’re a Moroccan national
• you were physically in Canada on September 8, 2023
• you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
  • you apply
  • a decision is made on your application

Apply on paper

• Complete the paper application (opens in a new tab) .
• When completing form IMM 5709, under section 3 at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit.”
• For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees.
  • Find out if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) .
• Provide these required documents with your application:
  • a copy of your Moroccan passport
    • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
  • proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar)
  • a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”
• Write “MAR2023” on the mailing envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.

If your current temporary resident permit expires before we finalize your application

You must stop studying until we issue you

• a new temporary resident permit
• a study permit that authorizes you to study

Apply on paper for a new temporary resident permit

You can apply for a new temporary resident permit for free if

• you’re a Moroccan national
• you were physically in Canada on September 8, 2023
• you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
  • you apply
  • a decision is made on your application, and

Apply on paper

1. Complete the paper application (opens in a new tab) .
2. When completing form IMM 5708, under section 3 at the top of the form, make sure to select “Get a new temporary resident permit.”
3. For your situation, you do not need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees.
   • Find out if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) .
4. Provide these required documents with your application:
   • a copy of your Moroccan passport
     • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
   • proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar)
   • a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”
5. Write “MAR2023” on the envelope andthe first page of your application or covering document.

Apply online for an open work permit

You can apply for a free open work permit (opens in a new tab)  if

Apply online

• Complete the online application to extend or change the conditions on your work permit (opens in a new tab) .
• For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab)) .
  • In your account, when asked the question: “There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?” select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.”
• Upload these required documents in the “Supporting Documents” section:
  • Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Moroccan passport.
    • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
• Under “Optional documents,” upload your proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar) in the “Client Information” section.
• Under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” upload a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the work permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The work permit will outline

• the type of work you can do
• how long you can work

Apply online for a study permit

You can apply for a free study permit if

• you’re a Moroccan national
• you were physically in Canada on September 8, 2023, and
• you’re in Canada with valid temporary resident status when
  • you apply
  • a decision is made on your application

Apply online

• Complete the online application to extend or restore your student status (opens in a new tab) .
• For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab) ).
  • In your account, when asked the question: “There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?” select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.”
• Upload these required documents in the “Supporting Documents” section:
  • Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Moroccan passport.
    • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
  • Under “Optional documents,” upload your proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar) in the “Client Information” section.
  • Under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” upload a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the study permit to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. The study permit will outline all the conditions of your stay.

Apply online to change your status to that of a visitor

You can apply for a free visitor record to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor if

Apply online

• Complete the online application for a visitor record (opens in a new tab) .
• For your situation, you don’t need to pay the application fees or the biometrics fees (if you need to give biometrics (opens in a new tab)) .
  • In your account, when asked the question: “There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?” select “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application.”
• Upload these required documents in the “Supporting Documents” section:
  • Under “Passport,” upload a copy of your Moroccan passport.
    • If you can’t include a copy of your valid passport, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t.
  • Under “Optional documents,” upload your proof of entry to Canada (for example, passport page with stamp, copy of your lease, copy of a utility bill or anything similar) in the “Client Information” section.
  • Under “Proof of Fee Exemption,” upload a letter stating “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.”

After you apply

If your application is approved

We’ll mail the visitor record to the Canadian address you gave us in your application. Your visitor record will outline the conditions of your stay in Canada, including how long you can stay.

There are no special measures for your situation

There are no special measures to help you restore your temporary resident status if it has expired.

If it has been less than 90 days since your status expired, you may be able to apply to restore it. Regular fees and processing times would apply.

If your application to restore your status is approved, you may then be eligible to apply for these special measures.

Find out how to restore your

• visitor status
• worker status
• student status

Apply for permanent residence outside of Canada without a passport or travel document

This measure applies to all applications we approve before March 12, 2024.

If you can’t include a copy of your passport or travel document with your permanent resident application, include a supporting document explaining why you can’t instead.

You may not need to provide your passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa to come to Canada.

If we approve your application for permanent residence before March 12, 2024, we may need to confirm if you have a passport or travel document. To do that

• we may send you a letter, or
• an officer may contact you directly

We’ll issue a single journey travel document with your visa attached (so you can travel to Canada) if

• you can’t submit a passport or travel document and
• we’re satisfied with your reason for not providing one

Apply for a 1-year limited validity Canadian passport

You can apply for a 1-year limited validity passport for free if

• you’re a Canadian citizen in Morocco, directly affected by the earthquake in Morocco and
• you need passport services to travel to Canada

You’ll be given a temporary passport that is valid for 1 year.

If you want to apply for a regular passport with full validity (either 5 or 10 years), you need to pay the normal processing fees.

How to apply

Write and sign a letter that explains how you are impacted by the earthquake. You must include “MAR2023” in your letter.

Contact the closest Government of Canada office abroad and provide them with your letter.

If you’re applying from Morocco, contact the Canadian embassy in Rabat.

Apply online for a citizenship certificate

You’re eligible for a fee exemption when you apply for a citizenship certificate if

• you’re a Canadian citizen in Morocco directly affected by the earthquake in Morocco
• you need to replace your Canadian citizenship certificate
• you need to confirm your Canadian citizenship to get a Canadian passport or travel document

How to apply

1. Start by answering a few questions to make sure you can apply online (opens in a new tab) .
2. If you can apply online, you’ll see a Create an account or sign in button.
   • If you don’t already have an IRCC secure account, you need to create one.
3. You can choose the electronic citizenship certificate or a paper citizenship certificate. If we approve your electronic citizenship certificate application, you’ll get instructions on how to download your certificate in your IRCC secure account.
   • If you choose to get a paper citizenship certificate, it’s important to know that mailing times will impact the time it takes to get your certificate. A delay may impact the type of passport or travel document you receive.
4. Write and sign a letter that explains how you are impacted by the earthquake. Upload this letter under Client Information in the “Supporting Documents” section.

If you have questions

Contact the closest Government of Canada office abroad.

If you’re applying from Morocco, contact the Canadian embassy in Rabat.

Apply on paper for a citizenship certificate

You can apply for a citizenship certificate for free if

• you’re a Canadian citizen in Morocco directly affected by the earthquake in Morocco
• you need to replace your Canadian citizenship certificate
• you need to confirm your Canadian citizenship to get a Canadian passport or travel document

How to apply

1. Complete the paper application for a citizenship certificate (opens in a new tab) .
2. Write and sign a letter that explains how you are affected by the earthquake. Include this letter with your application.
3. Don’t pay the fee or include a receipt.
4. You can choose the electronic citizenship certificate or a paper citizenship certificate. If we approve your electronic citizenship certificate application, we’ll send instructions on how to download your certificate to the most recent email address you gave us.
   • If you choose to get a paper citizenship certificate, it’s important to know that mailing times will impact the time it takes to get your certificate. A delay may impact the type of passport or travel document you receive.
5. Write “MAR2023” on the envelope and the first page of your application or covering document.
6. Submit your application to a Government of Canada office abroad.

If you have questions

Contact the closest Government of Canada office abroad.

If you’re applying from Morocco, contact the Canadian embassy in Rabat.

Apply for a permanent resident travel document

If you don’t have a valid permanent resident card, you can apply for a permanent resident travel document for free if

• you’re a permanent resident of Canada directly affected by the earthquakes in Morocco and
• you need a permanent resident travel document to travel

You can apply online or on paper

How to apply online

1. Sign in to the Permanent Residence Portal.
2. Complete the application for a permanent resident travel document (opens in a new tab) .
   1. If your request is urgent, select “Yes, my request is urgent”. In the “Reason” box, select the reason that most closely fits your situation. Upload a document that explains your situation (for example, a written letter with details of the situation).
   2. If you don’t have a valid passport or valid travel document, upload a letter explaining why you don’t have it in the “Supporting documents” section.
3. In the “Proof of payment” section, upload a document that includes the phrase “I am exempt from paying fees under the Moroccan special measures.” Include “MAR2023” at the top of the letter.
4. Submit your application.

If you apply on paper

1. Complete the application for a permanent resident travel document (opens in a new tab) .
2. Write “MAR2023” on the envelope and on the first page of your application or covering document.
3. Write and sign a letter that explains how you were affected by the earthquake. Include this letter with your application.
4. If you don’t have a valid passport or valid travel document, include a letter explaining why you don’t have it.
5. Submit your application to the visa application centre (VAC) nearest you.
   • If you’re applying from Morocco, submit your application to the VAC in Rabat.