Ottawa has announced support for Iranian temporary residents in Canada looking to extend their stay, citing the Iranian regime’s crackdown on protesters.
"Effective March 1, 2023, these measures will make it easier for Iranians who wish to extend their temporary status in Canada and to move between temporary streams, allowing Iranians to continue studying, working or visiting family by applying for a new permit from inside Canada," the Canadian government said in a statement on Thursday.
The government said an open work permit pathway will be made available for Iranians already in Canada. Applications from Iranians in Canada will also be processed on a priority basis, it added.
Protests erupted in Iran last fall after the death of 22-year-old Kurdish Iranian woman Mahsa Amini in police custody on Sept. 16. Amini was arrested in Tehran by the morality police for flouting the hijab rules, and died in custody.
Many Western states, including Canada, have imposed sanctions following a harsh state crackdown on protests.
Canada said it was waiving certain processing fees for Iranians who wish to extend their stay in Canada, and will also waive passport and permanent resident travel document fees for citizens and permanent residents of Canada in Iran who wish to leave.
"Canada will not stand idly by in the face of these aggressions as the Iranian regime continues its ongoing human rights violations," Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said on Thursday.
