On this page you will find:
- How many Canadian immigration documents have been suspended over Ebola
- Which immigration categories face the greatest impact
- Why nearly 19,000 protected persons applications are affected
- How the restrictions affect applicants from three African countries
- What happens to suspended visas and pending applications
- Who can qualify for an exemption
- When the restrictions could end
Canada has suspended nearly 25,000 immigration documents and delayed the finalization of more than 33,000 immigration applications under emergency restrictions introduced in response to the Ebola outbreak in Central Africa.
New figures published in the Canada Gazette on October 10 reveal the scale of the restrictions affecting foreign nationals living in the Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC), Uganda and South Sudan.
As of September 15, 2026, the measures had suspended 24,945 immigration documents, including visas issued to visitors, students and permanent residents.
A further 33,795 permanent and temporary residence applications were affected by restrictions preventing Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) from finalizing applications.
The figures also reveal a significant impact on refugees and other protected persons, with 18,890 permanent residence applications in that category affected by the measures.
The new data comes after Canada extended its Ebola immigration restrictions until November 27, 2026, citing continuing public health concerns.
Nearly 25,000 Canada Immigration Documents Suspended
The Canada Gazette figures provide the clearest picture yet of the number of immigration documents affected by the government’s emergency public health measures.
According to the official figures, 23,410 temporary residence documents and 1,530 permanent residence documents had been suspended as of September 15.
Visitor visas and related documents account for the largest share, followed by study permits and permanent residence visas.
| Immigration category | Suspended documents |
| Visitors | 20,035 |
| Students | 2,975 |
| Workers | 405 |
| Permanent residents | 1,530 |
| Total | 24,945 |
The figures show that visitors account for approximately 80 per cent of suspended documents.
Students represent another significant group, with 2,975 documents affected.
The restrictions also cover 405 documents in the worker category and 1,530 permanent residence documents.
These are documents that Canada had already issued but has temporarily suspended under the emergency order.
Affected foreign nationals cannot use those documents to travel to Canada while the restrictions remain in force.
More Than 33,000 Canada Immigration Applications Affected
The government has also released separate figures showing how many permanent and temporary residence applications are affected by the restrictions.
As of September 15, the measures covered 33,795 applications that IRCC could not finalize while the order remained in force.
| Application category | Applications affected |
| Permanent residence | 21,295 |
| Temporary residence | 12,500 |
| Total | 33,795 |
Permanent residence applications account for approximately 63 per cent of the affected application inventory.
The distinction between suspended immigration documents and affected applications is important.
The document figures refer to immigration authorizations that Canada has already issued. The application figures refer to cases awaiting finalization.
They are separate operational measures and cannot be combined to determine the total number of individuals affected.
The Canada Gazette also states that its figures are rounded and may change as documents expire, applicants arrive in Canada or applications progress through the immigration system.
Nearly 19,000 Protected Persons Applications Affected
One of the most significant findings concerns permanent residence applications involving protected persons.
Of the 21,295 affected permanent residence applications, 18,890 fall under the protected persons category.
That represents approximately 89 per cent of all affected permanent residence applications.
The category includes resettled refugees, protected persons in Canada and their dependants abroad.
The figures highlight the potential humanitarian consequences of immigration restrictions introduced primarily to address public health concerns.
A breakdown of the affected permanent residence applications shows the concentration in this category.
| Permanent residence category | Applications affected |
| Protected persons | 18,890 |
| Family class | 2,000 |
| Economic immigration | 245 |
| Humanitarian and compassionate / public policy | 155 |
| Permit holders | 0 |
| Total | 21,295 |
The figures show that the restrictions reach well beyond visitor visas and temporary travel arrangements.
They also affect permanent immigration pathways involving people seeking protection or family reunification in Canada.
However, the affected application figures do not establish how many people face immediate danger or require urgent relocation.
Uganda Accounts For Most Affected Protected Persons Applications
Uganda accounts for the overwhelming majority of affected permanent residence applications in the protected persons category.
Of the 18,890 applications, 17,865 relate to applicants who identified Uganda as their country of residence.
That represents approximately 95 per cent of the affected protected persons application inventory.
The breakdown is as follows:
| Country of residence | Protected persons applications |
| Uganda | 17,865 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 625 |
| South Sudan | 400 |
| Total | 18,890 |
These figures do not necessarily reflect applicants’ citizenship.
The government’s data identifies applicants according to their declared country of residence, meaning the Uganda figures can include foreign nationals from other countries.
This distinction matters because Uganda is a major location for refugees and other displaced people.
The figures also show that the restrictions continue to affect applications linked to Uganda despite the World Health Organization recognizing the end of the country’s Ebola outbreak on August 27, 2026.
Canada has maintained its restrictions because of the continuing outbreak in neighbouring DRC and the risk of cross-border transmission.
How Many Applications Are Affected In Each Country?
The Canada Gazette also provides a country-by-country breakdown of the affected permanent and temporary residence application inventories.
| Country of residence | Permanent residence | Temporary residence |
| Uganda | 19,565 | 3,095 |
| Democratic Republic of the Congo | 1,275 | 9,345 |
| South Sudan | 450 | 60 |
| Total | 21,295 | 12,500 |
Uganda dominates the permanent residence figures, largely because of the protected persons category.
The Democratic Republic of the Congo accounts for most affected temporary residence applications.
Of the 12,500 affected temporary residence applications across the three countries, 11,010 involve visitors.
Another 1,320 involve students, while 115 concern workers and 50 relate to temporary resident permits.
The different distributions underline the varied impact of the emergency measures on temporary travel, education, employment and permanent immigration.
What Do Canada’s Ebola Immigration Restrictions Mean For Applicants?
Canada introduced the immigration measures on May 27, 2026, as part of its response to the Ebola outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.
The restrictions apply to certain foreign nationals outside Canada who identified the DRC, Uganda or South Sudan as their country of residence in their immigration applications.
They affect two main groups.
First, the government has suspended certain immigration documents that had already been issued.
These include permanent resident visas, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations and temporary resident permits.
Second, IRCC cannot finalize affected applications for permanent resident visas, temporary resident visas, electronic travel authorizations, work permits, study permits and temporary resident permits.
Applications can continue moving through the processing system, but IRCC cannot complete them while the restrictions apply.
Foreign nationals whose documents have been suspended cannot use those documents to board flights to Canada.
The government has established systems through which airlines receive a no-board message for affected travellers.
The measures are intended to reduce the risk of importing Ebola into Canada and limit pressure on public health screening, quarantine and medical services.
Who Is Exempt From The Ebola Immigration Restrictions?
The immigration order does not apply to people already inside Canada.
This means foreign nationals in Canada can continue applying to extend their work or study permits without being subject to these specific restrictions.
The order also excludes Canadian citizens, Canadian permanent residents and several other groups, including people registered under the Indian Act and citizens and lawful permanent residents of the United States.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab also has the authority to grant exemptions in individual cases.
When considering an exemption, the minister can assess:
- The potential risk to public health
- Measures available to reduce that risk
- Whether the applicant has an urgent need for protection
- Humanitarian and compassionate circumstances
The exemption provisions could be particularly important for applicants facing urgent humanitarian situations.
However, receiving an exemption from the immigration order does not automatically exempt a person from separate public health measures under the Quarantine Act.
Affected travellers may need to satisfy requirements under both sets of measures before they can enter Canada.
When Will Canada Lift The Ebola Immigration Restrictions?
Canada’s Ebola immigration order is scheduled to expire on November 27, 2026.
The government extended the restrictions for another 60 days in September because of the continuing outbreak in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and concerns about possible transmission to neighbouring countries.
According to the Canada Gazette, the World Health Organization reported 7,258 confirmed Ebola cases and 3,510 deaths in the DRC as of September 13.
The outbreak had spread to seven provinces and 62 health zones.
The Canadian government says these conditions justify maintaining precautionary immigration and border measures.
However, the immigration minister can amend or repeal the order before its scheduled expiry. The minister also has the authority to extend its duration.
The November 27 deadline is therefore not a guarantee that restrictions will end on that date.
What Happens To Suspended Immigration Applications And Documents?
IRCC says affected applications will no longer be subject to the order once it expires or the government repeals it.
The department will then resume finalizing applications that remain outstanding.
The Canada Gazette also confirms that IRCC intends to expedite affected applications once the public health risk subsides.
However, the government has not provided a specific timeline for completing the affected inventory.
For people who already hold suspended immigration documents, the government says those documents will be reinstated when the order ceases to have effect.
Travellers may still need to meet other immigration and public health requirements before entering Canada.
The newly published figures show the substantial administrative and humanitarian implications of the restrictions.
With 24,945 immigration documents suspended and 33,795 applications affected, the measures have consequences for visitors, international students, workers, families and people seeking permanent protection in Canada.
The concentration of affected permanent residence applications in the protected persons category also raises questions about how quickly IRCC can resume finalizing these cases once the public health restrictions end.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many Canadian immigration documents have been suspended because of Ebola?
Canada had suspended 24,945 immigration documents as of September 15, 2026, according to figures published in the Canada Gazette. These included 23,410 temporary residence documents and 1,530 permanent residence documents. Visitor documents accounted for most suspensions, followed by documents issued to students, permanent residents and workers.
How many Canada immigration applications are affected by the Ebola restrictions?
The restrictions affect 33,795 immigration applications, including 21,295 permanent residence applications and 12,500 temporary residence applications. IRCC can continue processing these applications but cannot finalize them while the order applies. The application figures are separate from the suspended document figures and should not be combined to count individuals.
Why are so many protected persons applications affected?
The government reports that 18,890 affected permanent residence applications fall under the protected persons category. Of these, 17,865 concern applicants who identified Uganda as their country of residence. The category includes resettled refugees, protected persons in Canada and dependants abroad. The figures do not necessarily indicate applicants’ citizenship.
Can someone in Canada extend their work or study permit during the Ebola restrictions?
Yes. The immigration order applies to certain foreign nationals outside Canada who identified the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Uganda or South Sudan as their country of residence. It does not apply to people already in Canada, including foreign nationals applying to extend work or study permits.
When will Canada resume processing immigration applications affected by Ebola?
IRCC can continue processing affected applications but cannot finalize them while the restrictions apply. The order is scheduled to expire on November 27, 2026, although the government can extend or repeal it. IRCC says it intends to expedite affected applications once the public health risk subsides.