Dear future neighbour,
Canada has just put over 36,000 permanent residence applications on hold, and for many people waiting anxiously on their immigration journey, this news landed like a punch to the gut.
The pause is tied to an Ebola outbreak spreading across three African countries, and it affects applicants and document holders from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, and South Sudan. Whether you have an application in progress or already hold a PR visa, this is everything you need to know about what happened and what it means for you.
As of May 27, 2026, Canada placed a temporary hold on the processing of approximately 36,060 permanent residence (PR) applications. The reason? An Ebola disease outbreak spreading across three African countries, classified by Canadian authorities as posing a “high or very high risk.” Alongside the processing freeze, around 1,700 PR visa holders from these regions are also unable to travel to Canada while the measures remain in place.
The suspension is set to lift on August 28, 2026, but for thousands of people mid-journey through the immigration process, that’s a long wait.
Who is affected?
The restrictions apply to foreign nationals currently residing in:
- The Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC)
- Uganda
- The Republic of South Sudan
Both permanent and temporary residence applicants are caught in this freeze. That includes people waiting on PR applications, those already holding temporary resident visas (TRVs), electronic travel authorizations (eTAs), study permits, and work permits.
Here’s a breakdown of the suspended PR applications by category, for individuals who had not yet arrived in Canada as of May 24, 2026:
| PR Immigration Category | DR Congo | Uganda | South Sudan | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Economic | 511 | 123 | 7 | 641 |
| Family Class | 1,165 | 2,194 | 50 | 3,409 |
| Humanitarian & Compassionate / Public Policy | 574 | 338 | 9 | 921 |
| Permit Holders Class | 6 | 0 | 0 | 6 |
| Protected Persons | 1,778 | 28,274 | 613 | 30,665 |
| Unspecified | 3 | 395 | 20 | 418 |
| Total | 4,037 | 31,324 | 699 | 36,060 |
The largest group affected is Protected Persons – most of whom are from Uganda, making up over 28,000 of the suspended applications alone.
Beyond PR applications, below is a snapshot of foreign nationals from these three countries who held valid immigration documents (but had not yet arrived in Canada) as of May 26, 2026, totalling 24,548 individuals:
| Document Type | DR Congo | South Sudan | Uganda |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent Resident — Total | 160 | 146 | 1,426 |
| Study Permit | 413 | 4 | 102 |
| Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) | 11,529 | 251 | 9,764 |
| eTA | 446 | 71 | 150 |
| Temporary Resident Permit | 0 | 0 | 44 |
| Work Permit | 27 | 0 | 15 |
| Temporary Resident — Total | 12,415 | 326 | 10,075 |
| Grand Total | 12,575 | 472 | 11,501 |
Additionally, at the time the freeze took effect, IRCC still had about 7,751 temporary resident applications sitting in its processing queue for people from these three regions, including eTAs, TRVs, study and work permits, and temporary resident permits.
Why did Canada do this?
The Canadian government moved under a law called the Minimizing the Risk of Exposure to Ebola Disease in Canada Order (Immigration Applications and Documents). This gave the Governor in Council the authority to hit pause on immigration processing for countries considered high-risk for Ebola.
Interestingly, this is the very first time Canada has exercised powers introduced through Bill C-12 – a sweeping immigration reform that came into effect on March 26, 2026. The bill grants the federal cabinet broad authority to suspend, cancel, or amend immigration documents en masse when it’s in the public interest. This Ebola situation became the inaugural test of those powers.
The government also rolled out mandatory quarantine measures for anyone who has recently travelled through these countries, effective May 30. Those quarantine measures run until August 29, 2026 – one day after the immigration suspension ends.
It’s worth noting: Canada has confirmed there are currently no Ebola cases within Canada or anywhere in North America. The government has framed these measures as purely precautionary, especially given the increased international travel expected around the FIFA World Cup 2026, which Canada is co-hosting.
Is there any exemption?
Yes, but it’s narrow. The Minister of Citizenship and Immigration has the authority to grant an exemption on a case-by-case basis, specifically for individuals who are in urgent need of protection or where there are compelling humanitarian and compassionate grounds. If your situation falls into this category, this is not something to navigate alone.
All figures referenced here come from the Canada Gazette and were accurate as of June 12, 2026.
Your immigration plans don’t have to stay on hold
If you’re one of the thousands caught up in this suspension – or you’re from a different country entirely and wondering how this might ripple into your own application timelines, uncertainty is the last thing you need. The Canadian immigration system is constantly evolving, and right now, more than ever, having someone in your corner who understands the landscape makes a real difference.
We’re here to help you find a way forward. Whether you’re exploring Express Entry, a Provincial Nomination, a Work or Study Permit, Spousal Sponsorship, a Visitor or Super Visa, or even citizenship – our team knows how to navigate complexity and advocate for your case.
Don’t let a suspension, a policy change, or confusing paperwork derail your Canadian dream. Let’s talk.