CIMM – Inquiry Of Ministry – May 27, 2024

Prepare in English and French Marking "Original Text" Or "Translation"

Question No.: Q-2425

By: Mr. Kmiec (Calgary Shepard)

Date: March 14, 2024

Reply by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

Paul Chiang, M.P.

Signature

Parliamentary Secretary

Question:

With regard to the temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas (TRV) for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza, since January 9, 2024: (a) how many crisis web form applications have been received by the department, and how many sponsored individuals are represented; (b) how many unique reference codes have been issued and how many anchors and sponsored individuals are represented; (c) how many crisis web form applications have been rejected and (i) how many sponsored individuals are represented, (ii) what was the reason for the rejection; (d) how many crisis web form applications are still being processed and how many sponsored individuals are represented; (e) how many unique reference codes have been used to complete TRV applications; (f) how many TRV applicants have completed biometric processing at a biometric collection processing site prior to January 9, 2024; (g) how many TRV permits have been issued to those who have completed their biometrics prior to January 9, 2024; (h) how many TRV applicants have completed biometric processing at a biometric collection service point since January 9, 2024, and how many of them have been issued a TRV permit; (i) how many TRV applications have been rejected, and what was the reason for rejection; (j) how many TRV applications have been stamped and approved; (k) how many successful applicants were sent to the Israeli Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to be allowed to exit Gaza to migrate to Canada; (l) how many TRV applicants have had personal details, which were shared in the application process, other than a full name, date of birth, sex, passport or national ID details, mobile phone number, or current location by district, shared with Israeli authorities; and (m) how many TRV applicants have had information disclosed or additional background information forms shared with Israeli authorities?

Reply: Original Text

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

The data presented below refers to the Temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza. Data is operational and subject to change. For a complete data table, please see Annex A.

1. As of April 24, 2024, IRCC has received 7,739 web forms in total; IRCC does not track the number of individuals associated with each web form until a code is issued. Please note that some applicants have submitted more than one application.
2. As of April 24, 2024, IRCC has issued 4,467 codes, representing 4,467 sponsored individuals associated with 573 anchors.
3. As of April 24, 2024, 1,421 rejections have been sent in response to web forms.
   1. IRCC does not track the number of individuals associated with each web form until a code is issued.
   2. Most web form rejections are as a result of missing information or documents. Rejection reasons are as follows:
      1. Statutory Declaration Form: Must be fully completed, signed, and commissioned. Depending on provincial regulations, lawyers may serve as commissioners without providing a stamp or seal. Rejections occur if the form is incomplete, lacks a seal or signature, or if a seal appears visibly altered (e.g., date changes made with a pen due to the expiry of notary commission).
      2. Government-Issued ID of the Anchor: Acceptable forms include the biographic data page of a Canadian passport, Permanent Resident (PR) card, driver’s licence, provincial health card, etc. Missing documentation leads to rejection.
      3. Proof of Status in Canada: Documents such as the biographic data page of a Canadian passport, PR card, Canadian citizenship certificate or card, Canadian birth certificate, confirmation of permanent residence, or a record of landing (IMM 1000). Submissions lacking any of these documents are rejected.
      4. Proof of Residency or Intent to Reside in Canada: If not currently residing in Canada, the anchor must provide a letter detailing their intention to live in Canada. This is in line with the policy requiring anchors to reside or intend to reside in Canada. Absence of such proof or explanation results in rejection.
4. As of April 24, 2024, there are 5,225 web forms still in process; IRCC does not track the number of individuals associated with each web form until a code is issued.
5. As of April 24, 2024, of the 4,467 web codes that have been issued, IRCC has received 2,647 applications and has accepted 986 into processing under the temporary public policy. IRCC continues to review applications as they are submitted.
6. As of April 9, 2024, a total of 65 applicants have completed biometric processing at a biometric collection site prior to January 9, 2024. Of these, 24 were completed in Cairo. Applicants whose biometrics enrolment were completed prior to January 9 are those who already had valid biometrics on file and then later submitted applications under the public policy.
7. As of March 18, 2024, no applications under the Gaza public policy submitted by individuals who completed biometric enrolment in Cairo before January 9, 2024, have been approved and had a temporary resident visa (TRV) issued. One applicant who had had biometrics enrolled outside of Cairo prior to January 9, 2024 has had their TRV application approved and a visa issued. Some applicants have completed biometric enrolment prior to January 9, 2024, and these applicants had valid biometrics on file and subsequently submitted applications under the public policy.
8. As of March 18, 2024, a total of 110 applicants have completed biometric enrolment at a biometric collection site as part of an application under the Gaza public policy on or after January 9, 2024, of which 95 have been completed in Cairo. Of these 95, seven of these have had their TRV application approved and a visa issued. Note that children under 14 and adults over 79 are exempt from providing biometrics, so additional clients may have also been issued TRVs if they fall into either of these groups.
9. As of April 24, 2024, none of the applications accepted into processing under the public policy have been rejected to date.
10. As of April 24, 2024, 179 TRV applicants under the public policy have been issued visas to come to Canada.
11. As of April 24, 2024, a total of 304 applicants have been submitted for review by the Coordinator of Government Activities in the Territories (COGAT) to exit Gaza. Please note that the actual number of persons requiring exit may be lower, as some clients may have crossed into Egypt on their own.
12. IRCC only discloses the following information to Israeli authorities: full name, date of birth, sex, passport or national ID details, mobile phone number, and current location by district. There were no TRV applicants who had additional information shared.
13. IRCC only discloses the following information to Israeli authorities: full name, date of birth, sex, passport or national ID details, mobile phone number, and current location by district for the purposes of securing exit permission from COGAT. IRCC does not disclose or share the additional background information forms with the Israeli authorities.