What did Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada change?

IRCC extended temporary work permit measures for Haitian and Sudanese nationals that were set to end on October 27, 2026. The department published the update in its online newsroom on October 27, 2026. Eligible foreign workers who already hold permits under those programs can apply to extend their work permits under the same framework until December 30, 2027.

The earlier Haitian measures began on May 23, 2024. Sudanese measures were announced on April 24, 2023, and took effect on April 30 of that year. The extension does not open a new category for people who never held a permit under those temporary measures. It gives more time for workers already in the system to file extensions.

Who is eligible to extend a work permit?

You must hold a valid work permit that was issued under the previous temporary measures for Haitians or Sudanese nationals. If that applies, you may submit a work permit extension application while the measures remain in force through December 30, 2027.

Extension applications are handled with standard IRCC processing fees. IRCC did not describe a separate fee waiver in the October 27, 2026 notice. Plan on normal application costs and processing timelines for your case type and country of residence.

What is maintained status if you apply before your permit expires?

Maintained status means that when you apply to extend your work permit before your current permit expires, you may keep working under the same conditions as your existing permit until IRCC makes a decision on your extension application. You are not left without authorization to work simply because your old permit date has passed while the file is still in queue.

That rule matters for Haitian and Sudanese workers who are nearing expiry and want continuity on the job. File before the end date on your current permit to benefit from maintained status. The extension of the measures to December 30, 2027 does not replace the need to apply in time on each permit cycle.

What should workers do before December 30, 2027?

Eligible workers with valid permits under the Haitian or Sudanese temporary measures should track expiry dates and submit extension applications before their current permit lapses if they want maintained status while IRCC decides. After December 30, 2027, the brief does not describe further extensions, so planning around that end date is prudent.

Use current IRCC guidance and forms for work permit extensions. The notice confirms standard fees and processing; it does not announce a new pathway beyond extensions for those already covered by the temporary measures.