Immigration.ca - Canada Immigration News - January 2010
This week�s devastating earthquake in Haiti has prompted the Canadian Government to invoke special immigration measures for Haitians.
The measures will be put in place immediately. They include the priority processing of Haitian family sponsorship applications, as well as extensions to temporary visas for Haitian citizens who are in the country. Any file processing fees for extensions will be waived and, if needed, Haitians can apply to get a work permit in the meantime.
In addition, all deportations to Haiti have been suspended for the time being.
For those applicable, the government has instructed all new sponsorship applicants to write �Haiti� on the application envelope. Applicants whose cases are currently in process should contact the Department of Citizenship and Immigration to advise that they qualify for priority consideration.
The Canadian Government has also advised that their embassy in Port-au-Prince has been damaged and service, therefore, has been limited. Efforts to establish a new base of operation are currently underway.
"I want to express my deepest sympathy and support for the people of Haiti," said Immigration Minister Jason Kenney. "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."
Source: Citizenship and Immigration Canada
