Immigration Announcement
New Permanent Residence Pathways for Colombians, Haitians, Venezuelans, and Sudanese in Canada
In recent news, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opened temporary Permanent Residence pathways for nationals from Colombia, Haiti, Venezuela, and Sudanese. Starting February 27th, 2024, the department will receive applications, with a capacity of up to 3,250, from single Sudanese applicants or families seeking a fresh start in Canada.
IRCC’s Temporary PR Pathways
IRCC’s new temporary humanitarian permanent residence (PR) pathway targets Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan foreign nationals in Central America, South America, Mexico, or the Caribbean. Aimed at assisting 11,000 applicants and their families, this initiative is grounded in fostering family connections within the Canadian community.
Eligibility Criteria
To qualify for this pathway, applicants must boast extended family connections in Canada, aligning with specific relationships such as child, grandchild, spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. However, it’s vital to act swiftly, given the cap of 3,500 principal applicants, with the pathway open until the cap is reached or for one year from November 17, 2023.
The eligibility criteria encompass the principal applicant and accompanying family members:
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Principal Applicant’s Eligibility Criteria
- Be a Colombian, Haitian, or Venezuelan national present in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, or Mexico at the time of application.
- Be related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who qualifies as an anchor and was not granted permanent residence under this public policy.
- Submit the Canada PR application through the electronic means provided by the department (online) or an alternate application format if unable to apply online.
- Intend to reside in any Canadian province or territory, excluding Quebec.
- Hold a document enumerated in subsection 50(1) of the Regulations or provide a document described in subsection 178(1) and 178(2) of the Regulations if unable to obtain a document enumerated in subsection 50(1).
- Provide a statutory declaration from their anchor confirming support for the principal applicant and their accompanying family members for one year, without accepting financial compensation.
Principal Applicants with Multiple PR Applications
If the applicant has an active application under another PR category in the Global Case Management System (GCMS), the new application will continue to be processed while coordinating finalization with the office handling the other PR application.
Eligibility for Accompanying Family Members:
- Be included in the PR application, with all family members (both in and out of Canada) listed.
- Meet the legal definition of a family member according to IRCC.
- Intends to reside in a province or territory in Canada, excluding Quebec.
- Hold a document enumerated in subsection 50(1) of the Regulations or provide a document described in subsection 178(1) and 178(2) of the Regulations if unable to obtain a document enumerated in subsection 50(1).
- Not be inadmissible to immigrate to Canada (except for inadmissibility for financial reasons).
Eligibility Criteria for Sudanese Applicants
- Reside in Sudan as of April 15th, 2023.
- Lack of an alternative country to return to, aside from Sudan or Canada.
- Belong to the category of children, grandchildren, siblings, parents, or grandparents of an eligible anchor*.
- Obtain a statutory declaration from their anchor, confirming a commitment to support the applicant and accompanying family members for one year, without accepting financial assistance.
- Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
- Not be inadmissible for reasons other than financial ones.
*An anchor, an extended family member, pledges to support the applicant and their family during their first year in Canada, offering financial assistance and assistance in securing basic needs such as housing, food, and clothing.
An Anchor Must
- Be 18 years or older.
- Be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Reside in Canada (excluding Quebec).
- Demonstrate sufficient income/funds to meet the financial requirement.
And cannot
- Be in the process of renouncing Canadian citizenship or PR status.
- Be incarcerated.
- Be subject to a removal order in Canada.
- Default on immigration-related payments.
- Be bankrupt.
- Receive social assistance for reasons other than disability.
- Have a criminal conviction listed in the public policy.
The proactive approach in introducing these temporary PR pathways showcases a promise of inclusivity, family reunification, and humanitarian aid. By prioritizing family ties and providing tangible support, Canada strives to create a positive impact on the lives of those seeking refuge and a new beginning.
