As Canada faces more frequent and severe extreme weather due to climate change, including wildfires, the government is introducing special measures to support affected individuals and communities.
On July 15, 2025, Minister of Immigration Lena Metlege Diab announced that Canadian citizens and permanent residents can get free replacements for passports, PR cards, and other travel documents lost or damaged in wildfires. Refunds are available for those who already paid for replacements on or after April 1, 2025.
Temporary residents—such as international students, foreign workers, and visitors—can also replace their documents and restore or extend their status at no cost. The usual 90-day deadline to restore status will be waived for those impacted. Additionally, application and biometric fees are waived for foreign emergency personnel arriving to help fight wildfires.
For more information, visit Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada.