Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently unveiled the details of a new temporary humanitarian permanent residence (PR) pathway aimed at foreign nationals from Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela. First introduced on October 10 of last year, this pathway is designed for individuals physically present in Central America, South America, Mexico, or the Caribbean at the time of their application.
To qualify for this new PR pathway, applicants must have “extended family connections in Canada.” Specifically, the principal applicant must be related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as a child, grandchild, spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, or sibling. This initiative is limited to 3,500 principal applicants, with the goal of aiding 11,000 eligible individuals and their families through this program.
The pathway, which began on November 17, will remain open for one year or until the application cap is reached. Successful applicants will have access to both pre- and post-arrival settlement services and resettlement assistance. This includes a transportation loan to alleviate travel costs for individuals and families relocating to Canada.
Eligibility Criteria for Applicants and Their Families
There are distinct eligibility requirements for the principal applicant and their family members:
- Principal Applicant Criteria:
- Must be a national of Colombia, Haiti, or Venezuela.
- Be physically present in Central or South America, the Caribbean, or Mexico during the application process.
- Have an eligible family connection to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident acting as an “anchor” in Canada.
- Submit their application for PR online or through alternative means if necessary.
- Intend to reside in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec.
- Provide documentation as outlined in Canadian immigration regulations.
- Submit a statutory declaration from the anchor agreeing to provide support for one year, without any financial compensation.
- Family Members’ Eligibility:
- Family members must be included in the PR application, whether accompanying the principal applicant or not.
- Must meet IRCC’s legal definition of a family member.
- Intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
- Provide the required documentation and meet all eligibility criteria, except for financial inadmissibility.
Eligible applicants and their families will be required to provide proof of their Canadian family member’s citizenship or permanent residency to support their application.
This initiative reflects Canada’s commitment to humanitarian efforts and providing support to individuals from regions experiencing instability, helping them build new lives with the support of their families in Canada.