CIMM – Sudan Humanitarian Public Policy Extension – March 20, 2024
Key Facts and Figures
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented several special measures to support people affected by the crisis in Sudan.
A public policy is in effect to allow Sudanese nationals to extend their temporary status in Canada and move between temporary resident streams until it is safe to go back to Sudan. It also provides access to open work permits to clients to afford access to the labour market. These measures are in place until October 27, 2024.
Canada issued fee-exempt travel documents to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and Canadian permanent residents to facilitate onward travel to Canada. Those who arrived in Canada by July 15, 2023, are able to submit a fee-exempt application for an open work permit, study permit, or permanent residence under the family class until April 30, 2024.
We continue to prioritize the processing of:
Existing and completed temporary and permanent residence applications already in the system from individuals who are still in Sudan and for those who have fled the country to the surrounding region.
New temporary residence (overseas) and permanent residence applications (overseas) from immediate family members of Canadians or permanent residents whose departure from Sudan was assisted by the Government of Canada or allies.
In-Canada applications for temporary and permanent residence from immediate family members of Canadians and permanent residents who fled Sudan on or after April 15, 2023, and arrived in Canada before July 15, 2023.
Since April 23, 2023, and up until Jan 31, 2024, there have been a total of 3,933 total admissions in Canada of Sudanese nationals and nationals who were residing in Sudan and applied under the special measures, including 2,838 permanent resident admissions and 1,095 temporary resident arrivals Footnote 1.
On February 27, 2024, a new public policy creating a humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for people affected by the conflict in Sudan was launched. It ends one year after taking effect or once 3,250 applications (principal applicants) have been accepted for processing by IRCC, whichever comes first. There is no limit to the number of accompanying family members that can be included on the principal applicant’s application. It will facilitate the admission of approximately 5,000 Sudanese and non-Sudanese foreign nationals who are family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Key Messages
Canada continues to call for an end to violence in Sudan and remains deeply concerned for the safety of the people in the country.
IRCC has implemented several special measures to help those affected by the situation in Sudan, including waiving fees for extension of status for those in Canada, and prioritizing the processing of temporary and permanent residence applications.
Building on our efforts to support those affected by the conflict, on February 27, 2024, we launched a new humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals so they can reunite on a permanent basis with their family in Canada.
The pathway is open to applicants who are a child of any age, grandchild, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is living in Canada outside the province of Quebec. The spouse or common-law partner of the extended family member will also be eligible to apply if the relative is unable to leave Sudan, is missing or is deceased.
Their family member in Canada will need to agree to support them and help them build their new life in Canada.
As of March 13, 2024, 306 applications (689 persons) have been accepted into processing, meaning applicants have provided proof of payment, and completed all Department-required documents.
Supplementary Information
Permanent Resident Pathway
To be eligible under the humanitarian pathway to permanent residence for individuals affected by the crisis in Sudan, principal applicants must be the child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who resides in Canada, outside the province of Quebec.
The principal applicant must have been residing in Sudan on April 15, 2023, and must have no reasonable prospect, within a reasonable period, of a durable solution in a country other than Canada or Sudan. They must have an eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident anchor who signs a statutory declaration of their intention to provide them with support for one year.
The anchor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who is 18 years of age or older, reside in Canada and meet financial requirements. The financial requirements have been outlined for the anchor, so the principal applicant and their family member’s are able to efficiently integrate into Canadian society, with sufficient financial supports.
If pressed on why anchors in Quebec are not eligible
The Government of Quebec is responsible for selecting candidates for permanent residence in the province, with the exception of the family class and protected persons in Canada. Sudanese nationals intending to reside in Quebec can consult the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration to learn more about immigration pathways available to them in that province.
If pressed on why there are financial requirements
This pathway has been designed to allow Canadian anchors who have the intention and the means to financially support their relatives for one year and facilitate their successful integration upon their arrival to Canada. The financial requirements of this humanitarian pathway are modelled on the Family Class and Private Sponsorship of Refugees programs.
To provide further financial flexibility, a third option was added, allowing the anchor to meet the minimum financial requirement based on a combination of income and funds. Canadian anchors have three options to demonstrate that they meet financial requirements: 1) exceed the minimum necessary income; 2) have sufficient funds in a Canadian trust that the applicant may access, which may come directly from the anchor or through community fundraising efforts; or 3) the anchor must have funds held in an in-trust account equal to the minimum necessary income required less the anchor’s total income.
If pressed on cap
The public policy ends one year after taking effect or once 3,250 applications (principal applicants) have been accepted for processing by IRCC, whichever comes first. We anticipate 3,250 applications will allow the admission of approximately 5,000 Sudanese and non-Sudanese foreign nationals who are family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. There is no limit to the number of accompanying family members that can be included on the principal applicant’s application.
The program intake cap is a standard practice in temporary public policies. Program intake caps take into account a number of considerations, including the Canadian diaspora and other immigration applications for the target population, the Immigration Levels Plan and resources available for the various IRCC immigration programs.
