Special Immigration Measures For Haitians: Canada has announced temporary measures to support family members of Canadians who have left Haiti, along with Haitian nationals who are already in Canada and are unable to return to Haiti.
“We are deeply concerned for the well-being of people in Haiti,” said Immigration Minister Marc Miller.
“The measures announced today will make it easier for family members of Canadians who fled Haiti to stay in Canada with their families, and enable Haitian nationals to work and study in a safe environment.”
The news release announced that starting May 23, 2024, Haitians with valid temporary resident status in Canada can apply for a study permit, open work permit, or status extension at no cost.
This includes foreign national family members, regardless of their nationality, who came as temporary residents through assisted departures out of Haiti.
Furthermore, eligible individuals will be provided with three months of Interim Federal Health Program coverage.
Roughly 44,000 Haitians hold temporary resident status in Canada.
IRCC added that Haitian nationals outside of Canada who lost their passport because of the humanitarian crisis but have applied to immigrate to Canada are ready for approval for a Canada PR and can travel to Canada without a passport.
Ottawa believes that in the middle of the increasingly volatile security situation in Haiti, these measures will keep families together and provide Haitians in Canada a safe place to study, work and stay.
Canada completed assisted departures from Haiti, which successfully transported 681 people, including 435 Canadian citizens, 111 Canadian permanent residents, and 135 temporary residents to safety.
In line with its humanitarian outlook towards immigration, Ottawa continues to process applications through the dedicated humanitarian pathway to give Canada PR to Colombians, Haitians, and Venezuelans on a priority basis.
‘Anchor’ Family Members In Canada
The pathway is dedicated towards those living in South or Central America, Mexico, or the Caribbean, and whose family member in Canada is Canadian and willing to support their application.
The family member in Canada – known as the “anchor” – must make a declaration that states that they plan to help the applicant and their family members in Canada for one year. They also need to prove that they have not accepted any monetary compensation from the applicant or their family members.
If the application is approved, Canada waives the Right of Permanent Residence fee, all application fees and biometric fees.
It also covers pre-departure medical services to help protect the applicant’s health and travel to Canada, along with giving them the equivalent of three months’ financial assistance once they are in Canada to settle.
