Iran is experiencing an unprecedented period of time in which hundreds of Iranian citizens face the threat of their lives because they are exercising their legal human rights. Additionally, hundreds of thousands of Iranian-Canadians supporting the movement in Iran are facing torture, arbitrary detention, being sentenced to prison or death, and their immediate families.

We, the undersigned, are concerned citizens of Canada and believe there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify granting exemptions from some requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) to certain Iranian nationals.

Our goal, as the undersigned, is to ensure Iranian nationals and their families, who are or may be facing arbitrary detention in Iran, can enter Canada temporarily, work and study during their stay. As such, we request that Canada announce a special measure aimed at achieving the following objectives:

1. The deployment of a dedicated Immigration support line for Iranians affected by the crisis.
2. To expedite the process for people affected in Iran
   For those in Canada temporarily, extend their stay as workers or students.
3. Special travel authorization for the family members of both permanent residents and temporary residents, allowing them to apply for work or study permits.
4. To waive the application processing fee for the special measure.

We urge our leaders to ask the minister of Immigration Refugee Citizenship of Canada that according to his authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), to grant exemption to the following provisions of the Act and Regulations:

• The requirement in Paragraph 20(1)(b) of the Act – is for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period of authorized for their stay (obligation on entry);
• The requirement in subsection 22(2) of the Act – for a foreign national to establish they will leave Canada by the end of the period authorized for their stay (dual intent);
• Section 39 of the Act – the requirement for a foreign national not to be inadmissible for financial reasons;
• Paragraph 179(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period of authorized for their stay under Division 2 (temporary resident visa issuance);
• Paragraph 200(1)(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period of authorized for their stay under Division 2 (work permit issuance);
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations.
• Paragraph 16(2)(b) of the Act – the requirement for foreign nationals, subject to the Regulations, to submit to a medical examination;
• The requirement in subsection 198(1) of the Regulations – for a foreign national to be exempt under Division 5 of Part 9 from the requirement to obtain a temporary resident visa;
• The requirement in paragraph 181(2) of the Regulations for a foreign national to satisfy an officer that they continue to meet the requirement in paragraph 179(b) to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of their period of authorized stay;
• Paragraphs 199(a)-(i) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Section 213 of the Regulations – the requirement to apply for a study permit before entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 214(a) to (d) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit when entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 215(1)(a)-(g) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 216(1)(b) of the Regulations – the requirement for a foreign national to establish that they will leave Canada by the end of the period of authorized for their stay under Division 2 (study permit issuance);
• Paragraph 216(e) of the Regulations – the requirement to be accepted to undertake a program of study at a designated learning institution;
• Section 220 of the Regulations – the requirement that foreign national must have sufficient and available financial resources (studying in Canada).
   

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