CIMM – Q-349 – IRCC Response – February 8, 2023

Inquiry of Ministry

Prepare in English and French marking "original text" or "translation"

Question No. : Q-349

By: Mr. Hallan (Calgary Forest Lawn)

Date: February 16, 2022

Reply by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Reply by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Print name of Signatory: Marie-France Lalonde, M.P.

Signature, Minister or Parliamentary Secretary

Question

With regard to the applications for the resettlement of refugees from Afghanistan, submitted to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC): (a) how many applications were filed under the special immigration program for Afghan nationals, and their families, who assisted the Government of Canada; (b) how many of the applicants in (a) remain in Afghanistan; (c) how many applicants in (a) have been refused; (d) how many applicants in (a) have come to Canada; (e) what is the breakdown of (d) by month, since July 2021; (f) how many applications submitted under the Special Immigration Measures (SIM) program, the Afghan humanitarian Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) program, as well as the Afghan humanitarian Privately Sponsored Refugees (PSR) program have yet to be processed by IRCC; (g) what is the average amount of time that those applications in (f) have to wait before being processed; (h) how many applications submitted under the SIMs, GARs, and PSR have completed biometrics; (i) how many government employees have been working on applications filed under the SIMs since July 2021; (j) what is the breakdown of (i) by month, from July 2021 to February 2022; and (k) how many IRCC employees were in Afghanistan from August 15 to 27, 2021?

Reply

Insofar as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is concerned: 

  1. As of February 16, 2022, approximately 14,840 applications (in persons) have been received under the special immigration program for Afghan nationals, and their families, who assisted the Government of Canada.
  2. Of the applications in process under the special immigration program for Afghan nationals and their families who assisted the Government of Canada, approximately 7,125 applications (in persons) are from clients who remain in Afghanistan, based on information provided.
  3. There are fewer than ten applications (in persons) refused through the special immigration measures program.
  4. Please refer to our website for latest key figures: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigrationrefugees-citizenship/services/refugees/afghanistan/key-figures.html
  5. As of February 16, 2022, there are about 8,500 applications (in persons) submitted under the Special Immigration Measures program and the Afghan humanitarian Government-Assisted Refugees program in our processing inventory.

The Afghan Humanitarian Privately Sponsored Refugee program will facilitate the arrival of a mix of both Afghan privately sponsored refugees in the existing inventory and new applications. As of February 16, 2022, there are approximately 7,267 Afghan privately sponsored refugee applications (in persons) in the processing inventory.  

  1. IRCC cannot provide an estimate as to how long it will take to process applications that are currently in the processing inventory. IRCC is processing Afghan applications under the special immigration program for Afghans who assisted the Government and Canada and the Humanitarian programs as quickly as possible. The time required to process these applications will depend on a variety of factors, including whether the client is still in Afghanistan.
  2. As of mid-February approximately 4,455 applicants under the Special Immigration Measures had completed biometrics, while an additional 6,005 persons were exempt from completing biometrics but underwent a modified biographic screening process. Under the Afghan humanitarian Government-Assisted Refugees program, 2,805 applicants had completed biometrics, while an additional 2,140 were exempt from completing biometrics but underwent a modified biographic screening process. 2,290 Afghan applicants under the Privately Sponsored Refugees program had completed biometrics, while 1,340 were exempt from completing biometrics but underwent a modified biographic screening process.
  3. Though IRCC has added significant resources to increase processing capacity, there is no specific data about staff working exclusively on processing applications for Afghan nationals. The Department continues processing applications as efficiently as possible, not only by adding resources, but also by waiving application fees, as well as mobilizing our global network to process and issue visas on an urgent basis. We have set up a dedicated telephone line, with extended hours, to serve Afghan clients seeking information and assistance.
  4. See above.
  5. Similar to other like-minded countries, all IRCC personnel left Kabul on August 15, 2021, with the closure of the Embassy. During this period, IRCC mobilized a team supporting the Afghan evacuation efforts 24 hours per day and 7 days per week, with employees in Canada, as well as at our Missions around the globe, ensuring a continuous real time dedicated support for the air bridge. With the support of the Canadian Armed Forces, a Canadian presence remained in the region for as long as was safely possible.

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