The measures now remain in force until November 27
IRCC announced on September 28, 2026 that the temporary immigration measures linked to the Ebola outbreak were extended by 60 days. They now run until 11:59:59 p.m. Eastern Time on November 27, 2026. They began on May 27, 2026. The affected countries are the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda and South Sudan.
The measures apply according to the last country of residence recorded in the immigration application, not citizenship. A citizen of one of these countries who was living elsewhere when they applied is not covered only because of their nationality.
Which documents remain suspended
Temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), temporary resident permit counterfoils and permanent resident visas remain invalid for affected foreign nationals. They cannot be used to board a flight or travel to Canada, even if they were approved before the measures began.
IRCC says a suspended document is reactivated automatically when the measures end, and no action is needed. The suspension does not extend the document's expiry date, so a person whose document expires may need a new one before they travel in future.
Applications may be processed but not finalized
IRCC continues to process new and existing applications covered by the measures, but makes no final decision while the measures are in force. A person who receives a passport request should not send their passport to a visa application centre until the measures end. IRCC warns that a passport submitted anyway will be returned and additional fees may be needed later.
The extension does not cancel any application. It does not change the status of a person who was already in Canada: they can stay for the period they were authorized.
Case-by-case exemptions remain available
An affected person may ask for an exemption through IRCC's crisis web form. The request must explain why an exemption is needed and give evidence that the person would not pose a public-health risk. An exemption is discretionary and is not granted automatically.
What affected applicants should do
- Check the country of residence shown in the application and the expiry date of every immigration document that was issued.
- Do not make travel arrangements based only on a previously approved visa, permit or eTA if IRCC has told you the document is suspended.
- Keep your contact details current so that IRCC can deliver notices about a suspended document or application.
- Use the crisis web form to ask for an exemption, and attach evidence on urgency and public-health risk.
- Check the current federal public-health and air-travel rules separately before you travel. They apply alongside these immigration measures.