The temporary order now runs through September 28
The September 5, 2026 Canada Gazette published an order extending Canada's Ebola-related immigration application and document measures by 31 days. The extension took effect at 10:00 p.m. EDT on August 28 and is scheduled to end at 11:59:59 p.m. EDT on September 28, 2026.
The order is based on country of residence stated in the immigration application, not citizenship. It applies to affected foreign nationals who are outside Canada and who listed the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan as their country of residence.
Affected applications may be processed but not finalized
While the order is in force, IRCC may continue processing affected applications, but cannot finalize applications for permanent resident visas, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations, work permits, study permits or temporary resident permits.
The order also keeps specified documents already issued to affected foreign nationals suspended: permanent resident visas, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations and temporary resident permits. IRCC says the documents will be reinstated and finalization can resume after the order ceases to have effect, unless another applicable measure remains in place.
People in Canada are outside this order's application scope
The Gazette states that the measures do not apply to people within Canada, including people applying to extend a work permit or study permit. Canadian citizens, permanent residents, persons registered under the Indian Act, U.S. citizens and lawful permanent residents, and accredited foreign representatives and their family members are also outside this immigration-document order as described in the official notice.
The Minister may grant an individual exemption after considering public-health risk and mitigation, urgent protection needs, or other humanitarian and compassionate factors. An exemption is not automatic and must be assessed case by case.
Separate border and flight measures may still apply
The immigration-document order operates separately from public-health and air-travel measures. The same Gazette issue records a separate rule preventing foreign nationals who have been in the DRC from boarding a flight to Canada unless they have been outside the DRC for 21 consecutive days, subject to its stated exceptions.
An exemption under one order does not create an exemption under another. Anyone affected should read the current official orders and any IRCC notice issued on their file before making travel plans or submitting urgent documentation.
This article is not legal advice. Immigration rules and program instructions can change, and the result depends on the facts of each case.