Canada Updates Refugee Resettlement Travel Rules – What’s New in May 2026
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has updated its instructions on travel arrangements for resettled refugees. The changes, posted on May 5, 2026, add important details for migration officers, sponsors, and families. This guide breaks down the three key updates in plain language.
1. Transportation Loans for Minors Traveling Alone
Some refugee children under 18 must travel without their parent or the adult who will be their guardian in Canada. This can happen when:
- A child is joining a parent already in Canada under the One-Year Window program.
- A child is coming to live with a blood relative who will seek guardianship after arrival.
- A child and parent are resettling from different countries.
- A minor is a de facto dependent traveling separately from their intended guardian.
What’s new:
The migration officer must now confirm with the parent or intended guardian whether the transportation loan and travel help from the International Organization for Migration (IOM) are needed. If yes, the loan agreement must be signed by the parent or guardian, not the minor.
When filling out the loan form (IMM 0502):
- The minor’s application number is written as: GXXXXXXXXX-Minor
- The applicant name is the parent’s or intended guardian’s name, with “Parent” or “Intended Guardian” added, like: Smith, John (Intended Guardian)
The intended guardian can only get legal guardianship through a Canadian court after the child arrives. IRCC cannot give guardianship.
2. New Requirements for the Travel Booking Referral to IOM
When a migration office tells IOM that refugees are ready to travel, they send a “Travel Booking Referral” spreadsheet. For minors traveling without a parent or guardian, the office must now include extra documents:
- A signed Acknowledgement of Responsible Adult form (IMM 5590) – the intended guardian must be named on it before the minor travels.
- If applicable, a Declaration from Non-Accompanying Parent/Guardians (IMM 5604).
- The parent’s or intended guardian’s full details directly in the email: name, UCI or application number, Canadian contact info, and relationship to the child.
All emails to IOM must clearly say the minor is traveling without their parent or guardian. If the minor and the parent or guardian are resettling from different countries, IOM and the migration office will coordinate so the adult arrives in Canada first.
3. Cancelling a Transportation Loan When a Client Self-Books
Refugees can choose to book and pay for their own flights instead of using IOM assistance. However, if they do this, they cannot get an immigration loan to cover travel costs, and they won’t receive help with exit permits, transit, or airport guidance.
New cancellation steps:
- If the loan agreement was already signed and uploaded, the migration office must add a note in the system saying: “The loan request is Cancelled as the client opted to self-book travel.”
- If a travel booking referral was already sent to IOM, the office must tell IOM immediately so no costs are incurred. IOM will then return the client’s visa and Confirmation of Permanent Residence (CoPR) to the migration office.
Self-booking clients must pick up their visa, follow all travel rules, arrive before the visa expires, and handle airport procedures on their own. Privately sponsored refugees must still inform their sponsors of their arrival.
Other Helpful Reminders from the Updated Guide
- Maximum group size: No more than 75 resettled refugees should be booked on one commercial flight.
- Arrival rules: Government-assisted refugees cannot arrive on weekends or statutory holidays (except in emergencies). Privately sponsored refugees can arrive on Fridays or weekends, but this should be kept to a minimum.
- Final arrival time: Flights should get clients to their final Canadian destination before 10:00 p.m. local time.
- Service animals: IOM can arrange travel for trained service animals and add the cost to the transportation loan. Clients need a medical note proving the animal is needed.
- Household pets: IOM will not arrange travel for pets. Families should plan to bring pets later at their own cost and arrange pet-friendly temporary housing themselves.
These updates help ensure smoother, safer travel for resettled refugees, especially vulnerable minors. Sponsors, settlement agencies, and families can use this summary to understand the new steps and plan ahead.
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