Question Period Note: Sudan

Canada’s response to the crisis in Sudan includes in-Canada measures, priority processing of existing refugee resettlement and family class applications, and a mix of special measures to facilitate the reunification of those affected by the conflict with family members in Canada and new resettlement commitments.

• Canada remains deeply concerned by the ongoing conflict in Sudan.
• IRCC continues to prioritize the processing of applications already in our inventory for those affected by the conflict. This includes individuals who are still in Sudan and those who have fled the country to surrounding regions.
• We also increased the number of applications accepted into processing for the family-based permanent residence pathway for people affected by the conflict in Sudan, which will allow us to welcome approximately 10,000 people under this pathway.

If pressed:
• Demand to come to Canada continues to grow, increasing both the number and complexity of applications. Across many of our programs, applications exceed available spaces, which is contributing to longer processing times.
• All policy decisions are guided by long-term sustainability of our immigration system and must align with the Levels plan and Budget 2025.
• Canada continues to offer established immigration pathways for eligible applicants, including family reunification, economic programs, and refugee resettlement through referrals from the United Nations Refugee Agency.

• On April 15, 2023, conflict erupted in Sudan resulting in heavy fighting in the capital, Khartoum, and other parts of the country. Approximately 12 million people have been displaced.

• IRCC responded by prioritizing processing temporary and permanent residence applications already in our inventory for those affected by the conflict in Sudan.

Family-based permanent resident pathway
• On February 27, 2024, IRCC launched a family-based permanent resident pathway for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals affected by the conflict. This pathway was designed to reunite families, bringing at least 7,000 individuals to safety in Canada.
• On February 25, 2025, the pathway was re-opened to facilitate approximately 1,900 additional applications. Of these, 500 were reserved solely for applicants with an anchor in Quebec, although applicants must still intend to reside in another province or territory (the previous pathway excluded Quebec anchors).
• Combined, the pathway will facilitate approximately 10,000 people. While intake under the reopened pathway closed on April 17, 2025, processing and arrivals continue.

Resettlement
• On February 20, 2025, IRCC announced that Canada would resettle an additional 4,000 government-assisted refugees from Sudan by 2026. This is in addition to resettling 12,000 refugees from Africa between 2024 and 2026.

• IRCC also announced an additional 700 Sudanese refugees through private sponsorship. IRCC introduced facilitative measures to waive the requirement for a RSD document, to support up to 350 individuals (160 applications). Intake closed on May 1, 2025.

In-Canada extensions
• On April 30, 2023, IRCC implemented measures allowing Sudanese nationals in Canada to extend or modify their temporary status, and apply for fee-exempt study permits, open work permits, or temporary resident permits.

Measures for residents in Sudan with pending immigration applications
• The Government of Canada is prioritizing the processing of completed temporary and permanent residence applications already in the system from people still in the country, so they can travel once it is safe to do so.

Immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who departed Sudan
• Canada issued fee-exempt travel documents to facilitate onward travel to Canada for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents who fled Sudan.
• Those who arrived in Canada before July 15, 2023, are eligible to apply for a fee-exempt open work permit or a study permit. They may also submit a fee-exempt application for permanent residence under the Family Class and have their applications prioritized. These temporary measures have been extended beyond October 28, 2025.

• IRCC continues to provide in-Canada measures, allowing eligible Sudanese nationals in Canada to extend their stay or modify their temporary status.

On biometric collection:
• Biometric collection was previously paused in Sudan, making it difficult for people who were unable to safely leave Sudan to complete their applications to come to Canada.
• In partnership with the International Organization for Migration, biometric collection for refugee resettlement clients and those under the family-based pathway is now underway in Sudan.
• Biometric collection is available by appointment only for individuals with an application under Canada’s resettlement program.
• The Government of Canada remains committed to supporting those in need.

On Sudanese arrivals to Canada since the conflict started:
• Between April 2023 and March 31, 2026, approximately 18,570 people affected by the crisis in Sudan have been approved for permanent residence, and about 6,135 people approved for temporary residence.
• As of that date, roughly 2,755 people have arrived in Canada under the family-based permanent residence pathway.
IRCC continues to prioritize and process temporary and permanent residence applications already in our inventory for those affected by the conflict in Sudan, in accordance with the Immigration Levels Plan.