Temporary public policy to facilitate permanent residence for certain citizens of Afghanistan [REDACTED]

[Redacted] appears where sensitive information has been removed in accordance with the principles of the Access to Information Act and the Privacy Act.

Background

The withdrawal of international forces, which began on May 1, 2021, and is now complete, has created significant risks with respect to security in Afghanistan. Security concerns have increased since the Taliban overthrew the Government of Afghanistan in 2021.

The Government of Canada recognizes the high vulnerability and elevated risk faced by certain Afghan nationals [Redacted]. If these individuals return to Afghanistan, they face a higher risk of violence due to their support for the previous regime.

Public Policy Considerations

In recognition that some Afghan nationals [Redacted] will not be able to return to Afghanistan as a result of the Taliban, special immigration measures are required to allow these individuals to be granted permanent resident status in Canada.

As such, I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations to justify the granting of permanent residence, pursuant to section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), when a foreign national meets the conditions (eligibility requirements) described below.

Based on the public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant permanent resident status to a foreign national who:

Family members of the foreign nationals eligible under this public policy who are not included on the list in Annex A will not be considered for permanent residence under this public policy.

Fee Waivers

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the following fees to foreign nationals applying for permanent resident status pursuant to this public policy:

Admissibility requirements

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other applicable statutory eligibility and admissibility requirements.

Provincial selection criteria (Quebec)

Applicants wishing to settle in Quebec will be subject to the Province of Quebec’s selection criteria further to subsection 25.2(3) of the Act, and cannot be granted permanent residence unless Quebec determines that they meet the applicable selection criteria of the province.

Start and end dates

This public policy will come into effect on my signature and will end once final decisions have been made for all applicants on the list in Annex A or by December 31, 2022, whichever comes first. The public policy may be revoked at any time. Applications received under this public policy on or before the end or revocation date will be processed under the public policy.

The Honourable Sean Fraser, P.C., M.P.
Minister of Citizenship and Immigration
Dated at Ottawa, 7 April, 2022

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