CIMM – Comparisons of the Immigration Responses to Crises in Ukraine and Afghanistan – February 8, 2023

Key Messages

• The Government of Canada is committed to operating a fair and non-discriminatory immigration system. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) manages thousands of applications from people from around the world every day, and the Department takes this responsibility very seriously.
• As part of its commitment to anti-racism, equity and inclusion, IRCC is looking closely at eligibility criteria through the lens of how they impact racialized clients, to ensure its programs, policies, and processes are fair, transparent, equitable, and culturally sensitive.
• The situations in Afghanistan and Ukraine are very different and necessitated different responses. Afghans are fleeing a regime change that has fundamentally altered country conditions. Human rights are deteriorating, especially for members of religious and ethnic minorities, women leaders, human rights defenders, and LGBTQI individuals. Afghans require a permanent protection solution, and are being resettled as refugees and as extended family members.
• Ukrainians are fleeing a war of unknown duration and where there is generalized risk. The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was designed as the quickest and most effective way to help Ukrainians who choose to seek a safe haven in Canada. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status for up to three years with options to work, study or stay in Canada.

Background

Approaches to Biometrics

• Biometrics collection is mandatory for all foreign nationals between the ages of 14 and 79 who are applying for, claiming or requesting temporary residence, permanent residence or refugee protection, unless otherwise exempted (e.g. electronic travel authorization applicants, United States nationals).
• The Minister approved a temporary public policy to grant lower-risk Ukraine nationals who have a pending application for a temporary resident visa, or temporary resident visa and work permit, under the CUAET, with an exemption from the biometrics collection requirement in support of their applications. This exemption applies to Ukraine nationals aged 14 to 17 or aged 61 to 79 as of the date the application was made, as well as to applicants who were previously approved for a temporary resident visa within the last 10 years from the date on which the application was received.
• IRCC carefully assesses and balances security, operational and humanitarian considerations when making decisions on exempting certain visa requirements, including biometrics collection. The decision to exempt the biometrics requirement for specific cohorts of Ukrainian nationals was made based on an assessment of risk unique to the region and situation.
• All Afghan nationals between the ages of 14 and 79 must complete biometrics enrollment before final approval of their applications.