The Canadian Government has released a response to the situation in Afghanistan and provided some information to support those who need it. Currently, the Taliban has taken over and replaced the democratic government by force. Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, said that Canada has no plans to recognize the Taliban as the legitimate government of Afghanistan. Due to the Taliban being in control of Afghanistan it puts many of the people in Afghanistan at risk of violence. Canada has created some pathways to help those in need in Afghanistan. Below you will find a table with information on how to contact the Canadian Government for help depending on your situation. If you’d like to discuss your specific case with a licensed immigration consultant, please call+1-647-362-5067.
| Who | Contact Info |
| Canadians and Canada PR in need of consular assistance in Afghanistan | Phone: 1-613-996-8885 Email: sos@international.gc.ca SMS: 1-613-686-3658 If in need of a travel document: ircc.situationafghanistan.ircc@cic.gc.ca |
| Immigration program for Afghans who assisted the Government of Canada | Email: Canada-Afghanistan@international.gc.ca Phone: 1-613-321-4243 – available both inside Canada and abroad – Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 7pm ET – the government will accept charges for calls or reverse charges |
| Reuniting Afghan nationals with their families in Canada | Email: ircc.situationafghanistan.ircc@cic.gc.ca |
| Humanitarian program to resettle Afghans outside of Afghanistan | Email: ircc.situationafghanistan.ircc@cic.gc.ca Phone: 1-613-321-4243 – available both inside Canada and abroad – Monday to Friday, 6:30am – 7pm ET – the government will accept charges for calls or reverse charges |
Afghan Applications to Come to Canada
At this time Canada is prioritizing Family Reunification and Permanent Residents for Afghans.
Family Reunification
One of Canada’s main immigration pillars is family reunification. We find it important to keep families together especially during times like this. Canada will be prioritizing applications to sponsor eligible immediate family members in Afghanistan. You can sponsor a family member in Afghanistan if you are a Canadian Citizen or Canadian Permanent Resident.
Permanent Residence
Canada will be prioritizing applications for permanent residence if:
- you’re a Protected Person and your application includes dependent Afghan family members overseas
- you’re an Afghan refugee who has already been resettled in Canada and you’re applying for one of your dependants
Can Afghan Temporary Residents in Canada Stay?
We’ll prioritize your application if
- you’re an Afghan national currently in Canada and you’re applying to extend your current temporary resident status (as a temporary worker, student or visitor)
- you’re applying for temporary residence as a temporary worker, student or visitor, and you meet both of the following requirements:
- you’re an Afghan national outside Canada
- you’re an eligible family member of a Canadian citizen, permanent resident or person registered under the Indian Act
Can Afghan Refugees Immigrate to Canada?
There is a special humanitarian program created that will focus on resettling Afghan nationals who are outside of Afghanistan who does not have a durable solution in a third country. Canada has announced that it will be accepting 20,000 vulnerable Afghan nationals to Canada. The people who qualify for this humanitarian program are:
- women leaders
- human rights advocates
- LGBTI individuals
- journalists and people who assisted Canadian journalists
- immediate family members of one of the above
- extended family members of previously resettled interpreters who assisted the Government of Canada
You do not need to be in Afghanistan or return to Afghanistan to be eligible for this humanitarian program.
How Can Canadians Help Afghan Newcomers?
There are many ways that Canadians can help those Afghans who are going to arrive in Canada. There are several supportive social networks and organizations that are set up to help those settling in Canada.
Through these networks and organizations, refugees can
- get information
- find housing and jobs
- improve their language skills
- get involved in the community
- gain critical cultural knowledge
- receive emotional and other support
If you’d like to donate your time, items, or money to help those arriving in Canada you can contact the Canadian refugee resettlement agency that is providing support to Afghan refugees: afghaniresettlement@ccislive.ca
How to Sponsor a Afghan Refugee to Canada
You can sponsor an individual Afghan refugee to come to Canada by either working with a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH) as a constituent group or through the Group of 5 programs. Currently, the SAH applications are closed.
Group of Five (G5)
The Group of Five (G5) sponsorship program requires five or more Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents to agree to sponsor a refugee living abroad. This would allow a group of Canadians to sponsor a refugee from Afghanistan to Canada.
G5s may only sponsor applicants who are recognized as refugees by either the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) or a foreign state. The principal applicant MUST already have refugee status. Having refugee status means that an authorized body has found that an individual meets its refugee definition. This authorized body can either be the UNHCR or the government of the country (i.e., foreign state) where the refugee is now living.
– IRCC
Travel Authorization for Afghan Citizens
The IRCC announced that the Taliban is supporting any Afghan citizens with travel authorizations to leave Afghanistan.
“Canada and its allies have received assurances from the Taliban that Afghan citizens with travel authorizations from other countries will be allowed to leave Afghanistan.”
Legal Immigration Help from Canadian Immigration Consultants
If you are looking for help, particularly in the Afghanistan situation, our immigration consultants can take a look at your case. Whether you are looking to sponsor, stay in Canada, or immigrate permanently, you can call us at +1-647-362-5067 to discuss your options.
VisaPlace Immigration News Contributor
Ella Bergquist
Hello! I am one of VisaPlace's many immigration news contributors. Comment below if you have any questions or comments about this article.
