CIMM – Supporting Safe Passage for Clients in Afghanistan – February 8, 2023

Implicated Recommendations:

Recommendation #15 – Single Journey Travel Documents
Recommendation #19 – Work with NGOs (i.e. Aman Lara) to confirm identity

Afghans seeking to leave Afghanistan face multiple challenges, including Taliban exit requirements – notably a passport requirement. They must also navigate third country entry and exit requirements.
Many Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) clients in Afghanistan have completed the first stages of processing, but are unable to depart Afghanistan safely to complete the processing of their applications in a third country to secure approval to travel to Canada.
The Government is exploring all avenues to support Afghan clients in leaving Afghanistan safely, including working with like-minded countries, partners in the region and non-governmental organizations (NGOs).
The Government of Canada is also considering measures, including legislative options, to address the need for exemptions for Canadian organizations and Canadian officials seeking to conduct humanitarian and other essential activities in regions controlled by a listed terrorist group, while avoiding the legal risk of committing a terrorism financing offence.

At this moment our biggest challenge is helping the most vulnerable people inside Afghanistan leave the country safely.
Approximately 8,600 IRCC clients currently remain in Afghanistan, and the majority are those who supported the Government of Canada during our mission in Afghanistan, along with their families (i.e., Special Immigration Measures).
Due to the situation on the ground, many of these clients are unable, or face great risks when attempting, to make the journey out of Afghanistan without assistance.
The Department is working with organizations that can provide safe passage support out of Afghanistan, including Journalists for Human Rights, Aman Lara, and the Veterans Transition Network, to enable their life-saving work to continue.

IRCC is already issuing Single Journey Travel Documents (SJTD) to Afghans who have been approved for entry into Canada, as it does with refugees from around the world.
However, SJTDs do not guarantee exit out of Afghanistan or onward travel to Canada. The Taliban regime currently requires all Afghans leaving Afghanistan to hold a passport. Third countries also have their own travel documentation requirements for entry, which often include passports and valid visas.