What should you do if your temporary protection documents have been lost?

Losing documents that prove your temporary protection status in Canada — whether it's a visa, work permit, study permit, or e-permit confirmation letter — can be a real crisis. These documents are the only proof of your legal stay, right to work, and right to study. Without them, you risk losing your legal status in the country, your ability to earn income, access to health and social services, and you may be vulnerable to deportation. However, a lost document does not mean the end of your stay — Canada has clear and accessible procedures for replacing lost or stolen documents. In this article, we will look at a detailed step-by-step algorithm of actions for those who find themselves in such a situation, as well as advise on how to minimize risks and ensure the continuity of your legal status.

1. Assessing the situation and immediate steps

Before taking action, it is important to quickly and accurately determine which documents have been lost and what rights they granted you. Most often, these are:

  • Passport or other travel document of a Ukrainian citizen (if it was your primary ID).
  • CUAET visa (temporary visitor visa stamped “Open Work Permit — CUAET”).
  • Open work permit confirmation letter with work permit number (Work Permit Letter).
  • Form IMM 5710 or other applicable forms confirming your status.
  • Proof of application for status extension (if you applied for an extension).
  • Work permit or study permit, if your status has changed.
  • SIN (Social Insurance Number) card (if issued).

Initial steps:

  1. If your passport is lost in a public place or you suspect theft, immediately contact the nearest police station (RCMP, provincial police, or municipal police) and obtain a report of the incident. The report will be an important document for replacing both your passport and immigration documents.

  2. If your immigration documents are lost but you still have your passport, contact Service Canada or the IRCC Call Center only after you have obtained a police report. You must have proof that the documents were lost or stolen, not discarded carelessly.

  3. Notify your employer and educational institution (if you are a student) that your documents have been lost. Although paper copies of permits are not legally binding on employers after SIN registration, notification will help avoid misunderstandings and demonstrate your good faith.

Immediate steps are intended to document the loss and obtain temporary confirmation of your status so that you can continue to work or study until new documents are issued.

2. Renewal of a Ukrainian citizen's passport

Your passport is your primary document, without which it is impossible to restore any immigration status. Restoration procedures:

  1. The Consular Section of the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada (in Ottawa) or at the Consulates General (Toronto, Montreal, Edmonton, Winnipeg) immediately accepts applications for lost passports.
  2. You must provide:

  • A police report on the loss or theft of your passport.

  • A completed consular questionnaire (samples are available on the website of the Embassy of Ukraine in Canada).

  • Birth certificate (if available) and/or photocopies of old passport pages (if possible).

  • Two passport-size photos (35×45 mm, color, taken no earlier than 6 months ago).

  1. Consular fee: the standard cost of an urgent passport is approximately USD $100–120; the urgent procedure may cost more, depending on local rates.

  2. The time required to issue a new passport is 2 to 4 weeks using the standard procedure, or 5–7 business days with an additional fee for the urgent procedure.

  3. Once you receive your new passport, immediately make copies of the first page and the page with your entry permit and/or CUAET stamp (if it is in your lost passport).

Once your new passport is available, you can complete the restoration of your immigration documents.

3. Renewal of immigration documents (visa, work/study permit)

3.1. Loss of CUAET stamp in passport

If your passport and CUAET stamp are lost:

  1. After receiving your new passport, make an appointment at the Visa Application Centre (VAC) or the consular section of the Canadian embassy in your province.
  2. Bring:

  • Your new passport.

  • A copy of the police report.

  • Copies of your old passport and immigration documents (if available).

  • Confirmation of Permanent Residence or Visitor Record, if previously obtained.

  1. Fill out form IMM 5556 “Application for a Change/extension of conditions, restoration of status and temporary resident permit” for tourists and check the box “Restore my status if my temporary resident status has expired.”

  2. Pay the fee for restoring your status:

  • CAD $100 — tourist visa
  • CAD $155 — work or study permit
  • CAD $85 — biometrics (if you need to resubmit your data)
  1. Upload or provide the originals of the supporting documents (see section 3.3).
  2. Receive a confirmation letter (“Acknowledgment of Application”); while the application is being processed, your status will be “maintained.”

3.2. Loss of an open work or study permit

If you have lost your work permit or study permit:

  1. Apply for a traditional extension or renewal of your permit through the IRCC portal. To do this, log in to your MyCIC account, select “Apply for a work/study permit” and indicate that you have lost your document.
  2. Upload:
  • A letter confirming the loss (police report).
  • Your new passport.
  • A letter from your employer confirming your current employment or a letter from your educational institution confirming your student status.
  • Copies of your previous work/study permit (if available).
  1. Pay the applicable fee — CAD $155 and CAD $85 for biometrics (if required).
  2. Maintain your status as “maintained” during the review.

3.3. Supporting documents for status renewal

To confirm your circumstances, you will usually need:

  • A confirmation letter from your employer with an official logo, signature, and date, stating your current position, dates of employment, and weekly work schedule.

  • A letter from your educational institution (for students) confirming your status, the duration of the program, and the start and end dates of the semester.

  • Bank statements or proof of funds (for tourists or those who are not working).

  • Copies of previously issued IRCC documents (notification letters, IMM forms).

  • Police report with the occurrence report number and a brief description of the incident.

If additional documents are required, IRCC will send a letter with specific requests. Respond in a timely manner.

4. Biometrics and additional steps

Even if you provided fingerprints during your initial application, you may be sent a new Biometric Instruction Letter (BIL) if you are renewing your status. You should:

  1. Pay CAD $85 (for a new set) or check if your previous data is suitable.

  2. Make an appointment at a Service Canada Biometrics Collection Site or a private VAC partner.

  3. Bring your passport and BIL instruction letter on the specified date.

  4. Provide your fingerprints and have your photo taken.

  5. Obtain confirmation of biometrics submission, which is attached to your application.

5. Awaiting a decision and maintaining status

After submitting all the necessary information, IRCC issues an Acknowledgment of Application and maintains your status until a decision is made. Recommended:

  • Check your MyCIC account regularly for updates.

  • Respond to requests for additional documents within 10 days.

  • Do not change your address or contact details without notifying IRCC.

  • Keep all copies of emails, AORs, and payment receipts.

Processing time varies from 2 to 6 months depending on the type of documents and the location of the IRCC office.

If the decision is positive, you will receive new documents by your chosen method (email or mail). If your application is rejected, contact an immigration consultant immediately to explore your options for appeal or resubmission.

6. Alternatives in case of complications

Sometimes, restoring immigration status can be complicated by lost documents, criminal convictions, medical contraindications, or technical errors in the application. In such situations:

  • Consult an immigration lawyer or licensed consultant to consider your options: appeal to the Immigration Appeal Division (IAD), judicial review in Federal Court, or the Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) Grounds procedure.

  • Consider a PRRA (Pre-Removal Risk Assessment) if your stay in Canada is threatened by deportation, which allows you to assess the risks of returning.

  • Apply for other programs — student or worker, depending on your circumstances — if CUAET renewal is not possible.

It is important to act quickly and with appropriate legal advice to avoid unnecessary delays or loss of status.

7. Tips and recommendations

  1. Always make scans and copies of original documents — store them in the cloud and on physical media in a safe place.

  2. Keep the contact details of the Ukrainian consulate and IRCC as a favorite paper copy and on your phone.

  3. Use Google Calendar or another planner to remind you of renewal deadlines — 90, 60, and 30 days before your permit expires.

  4. Seek free legal assistance from local legal clinics, human rights organizations, or community centers for refugees.

  5. Comply with immigration laws — do not work without permission, do not overload the system with unnecessary appeals.

8. Conclusion

Losing your temporary protection documents is a stressful situation, but the Canadian system provides clear steps to restore your status. The main goal is to quickly document the loss (police report), obtain a new passport, apply for the restoration of immigration documents through VAC or the IRCC online portal, submit biometrics as needed, and carefully monitor the process.

Meeting deadlines, submitting complete and accurate documents, getting professional support from consultants or lawyers, and carefully tracking the status of your application are key to maintaining your stay, your right to work, study, and enjoy all the rights of temporary protection. With this preparation, you will be able to successfully restore your documents and continue your journey in Canada with minimal obstacles.