Canadian Immigration Minister has announced special measures for those affected by the Haitian earthquake.
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19 January 2010
Special Canadian immigration measures introduced for Haitians
The Canadian Immigration minister has announced that Canada will expediate applications for Haitians with family within Canada.
Canadian Immigration has also announced it will allow Haitians in Canada temporarily to extend their stay.
Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism Minister Jason Kenney made the announcement saying: “I want to express my deepest sympathy and support for the people of Haiti”.
“Canada has welcomed a large community of Haitians to this country and is working to reunite families affected by this disaster as quickly as possible. Haitian nationals who are currently in Canada will also benefit from special measures.”
Priority will be given to new and existing sponsorship Canadian Visa applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who have close family members in Haiti.
Applicants must identify themselves as being directly and significantly affected by the current situation and notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC).
Priority consideration will also be given to pending adoption cases with the Canadian visa office in Port-au-Prince.
In addition, passengers aboard non-commercial aircraft bringing aid to and evacuating people from Haiti that are making a technical stop or transiting through Canada’s airports temporarily will not require a visa.
The Canadian Visa Bureau is an independent consulting company specialising in helping people with their Canadian Visa applications to the Canadian High Commission.
