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Family-Based Humanitarian Immigration Program for Venezuelans, Colombians and Haitians

Canada introduced recently a family-based humanitarian immigration program for citizens of Venezuela, Colombia and Haiti, announced by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship in October 2023.

This program will have a cap limit of 11,000 eligible candidates and will be processed on a first-in/first-out basis, meaning, by order in which applications are received until the limit is reached.

 

“Global displacement of people in search of safety is at an all-time high. The Americas are seeing unprecedented numbers of migrants seeking safe haven and new opportunities, in often dangerous situations such as crossing the Darien Gap. Working closely with the US, we expect to see these measures help curb irregular migration and promote safe migration as an alternative to the often dangerous irregular routes in the Americas.”

 The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship. Ottawa. October 10, 2023.

Eligibility for Immigration Program for Venezuelans, Colombians and Haitians

Interested persons who want to apply under this pathway will need to meet the following requirements:

  • Be a citizen of Venezuela, Colombia or Haiti.
  • Have a valid passport or travel document.
  • Be in Mexico, Central or South America or the Caribbean when the application is submitted.
  • Not be inadmissible to Canada.
  • Have an eligible family member who is a Canadian citizen or a  permanent resident willing to become an Anchor (see details below).
  • Plan to live in a province or territory outside Quebec.

This program does not have education, language, work experience or settlement funds requirements like other immigration categories.

This application is done online; however if the applicant(s) require other accommodations to apply, they should contact IRCC for alternative formats.

Who can be an Anchor?

The person who wishes to become an Anchor must:

  • Be 18 or older.
  • Be living in Canada outside of the province of Quebec.
  • Be one of the following family members: spouse or common-law partner, a child (of any age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling.
  • Provide a statutory declaration* confirming their support, at no charge, to the applicant and their accompanying family members to help in their settlement in Canada for a period of 1 year.

What does an Anchor do?

Once the family member in Canada determines they are eligible and want to become an Anchor, they need to help with settlement and integration of the newly arrived resident. In detail, they must sign an official document stating they promise to:

  • Meet and pick-up the applicants at the airport and take them to their place of stay.
  • Provide temporary housing and help find permanent one.
  • Ensure they provide food, clothes and other basic needs.
  • Introduce the applicants to life in Canada by educating, guiding and assisting in aspects such as rights and responsibilities, public transportation, banking, grocery and other shopping, etc.
  • Not Accept money or other payment from the applicants in exchange for being the Anchor.

This declaration will also state that the Anchor will help the applicants with:

  • Interpretation of information.
  • Enrolling children in school or child care.
  • Registering adults in language training.
  • Opening of a bank account.
  • Signing up for provincial and federal programs and benefits such as Social Insurance Number, parental benefits, public health insurance.
  • Accessing free settlement services once in Canada.
  • Receiving support services to find a job.
  • Finding a family doctor, dentist, eye care and arrange any other medical needs.

What other support will applicants receive?

Once an application is approved, the government of Canada will:

  •  Cover pre-departure medical services to help protect the applicants health and safe travel to Canada.
  •  Give the equivalent of 3 months of financial assistance for settlement once in Canada.
  •  Provide free settlement services, before and after arrival, to help new residents join Canadian society and the labour force.

What documents are required?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has published that the only documents needed are:

For the Applicants:

  • Proof of identity (passport/travel documents)
  • Proof of relationship between the applicants and Anchor
  • Police certificates
  • Photo
  • Use of Representative form**
  • Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual***
  • Application Forms: Generic application form for Canada, Additional Family Information, Schedule 1, and Schedule A Background/Declaration.

For the Anchor:

  • Proof of Identity
  • Proof of relationship between applicant and Anchor
  • Proof of status in Canada
  • Proof of residence in Canada
  • Statutory Declaration.

Subject to the circumstances of each case, there may be other supporting documents needed to present a strong application. Applicants are advised to ensure that they are eligible, as well as their Anchors, before sending an application. When submitting the application, verify that all questions are answered, the application is complete and included, all signatures are provided and that all required and supporting documents are uploaded and transmitted.

What are the application fees?

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is waiving all application fees for this program. This means that applicant(s) will not have to pay government fees (Right of Permanent Residence Fee, Application fees and biometric fees).

Information in Other languages

You can read more about this program in your preferred language: Español, Krèyol and Français in the IRCC website.

 

 

DISCLAIMER: This article provides general information and does not constitute legal immigration advice. We strive to provide the most up-to-date and error-free information available at the time of publication; however, we are not responsible for any errors or omissions. Program can close if the cap is reached. There is no date for the program to close. For official Canadian immigration sources refer to the Act, Regulations and the IRCC website.

 

 

* This declaration is done online in the IRCC designated portal.

** If hiring an authorized representative to act on your behalf with IRCC for the application.

*** When authorizing IRCC and CBSA to release information from the file to someone who is not an authorized representative.

 

Do you want help with your application?

We can assist you with your application and submit your best case forward. We are Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (RCIC) and members in good standing with the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC)

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New Countries Added: Travel to Canada with eTA

Eligible travellers from these countries can now travel to Canada with an eTA (without a Visa*) :

  • Antigua and Barbuda
  • Argentina
  • Costa Rica
  • Morocco
  • Panama
  • Philippines
  • St. Kitts and Nevis
  • St. Lucia
  • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
  • Seychelles
  • Thailand
  • Trinidad and Tobago
  • Uruguay

These countries can travel by air** or transit through Canada with an eTA starting today*** for a stay of up to six months on business or leisure.

Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA)

The eTA is an electronic document linked to the traveller’s passport. The application for an eTA is done online on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website. This document is valid for up to 5 years or until password expiry.

To submit an application for an eTA, applicants will need to answer the required questions and have a valid:

  • Passport
  • Email Address
  • Credit or Debit Card

Most eTA applications are usually finalized in minutes. The cost of an eTA is currently $7 CAD.

Conditions

Applicants who want to apply for an eTA to enter Canada by air will need to have:

  1. Held a valid Canadian visa in the last 10 years.
  2. A valid visa from the United States.

You can apply for an eTA on your own or ask for help from people you trust, such as friends or family members or authorized representatives (immigration consultants, paralegals, lawyers or Notaires du Québec).

Before you start an eTA application be sure to understand the requirements and conditions. Be prepared if your eTA is not approved within minutes. You may be requested to provide additional documents. A decision will be made once you submit the required documents to IRCC.

Do you want help with your eTA application?

Contact Us

 

* Conditions Apply. 

** If entering by land or sea (by car, bus, train and boat—including by cruise ship, a visa may be required.

*** This announcement was made by the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada on June 6, 2023 in Winnipeg, Manitoba.

 

 

 

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Express Entry: New Category-Based Selection

The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), announced on May 31, 2023 the launch of a category-based selection for the Express Entry System. The invitations to apply for permanent residence will be based on different fields in demands in Canada to fill labour needs and help grow the economy and build strong French communities.

Criteria

The focus of this category-based selection under Express Entry will be on candidates with strong French language proficiency or work experience in occupations in the following fields*:

  • Healthcare
  • Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics (STEM) professions
  • Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers and contractors
  • Transport
  • Agriculture and Agri-food

* Other fields may be added in the future.

Next Steps

The first round of Invitations to Apply (ITA) is expected to be sent Summer 2023. Instructions on how to apply and details about deadlines will be provided in the coming weeks by the Government of Canada. Stay tuned.

Do you want to become a candidate in the Express Entry pool? Do you want to know what you need to become eligible?

Start your plan to immigrate with reliable information by our professional immigration consultants.

Contact Us

 

 

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Agri-Food Pilot Extension Announced

The honourable minister of Immigration, refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), Mr. Sean Fraser, announced on May 8, 2023 the extension of the Agri-Food Pilot. This program launched in 2020 and it focuses on facilitating the transition of workers with experience in the Agricultural and Food industries to permanent residence in Canada.

Agri-Food Pilot Program Updates and Changes

There will be other changes to this pilot that will be implemented by the end of 2023, which include:

  • Accessing Open Work Permits for family members of all participants in the Agri-Food Pilot.
  • Allowing applicant’s work experience to be attested by unions as an alternate option to employer reference letters.
  • Meeting either the job offer requirement or the education requirement for applicants residing in Canada.
  • Accepting work experience gained under an Open Work Permit for vulnerable workers*.

Requirements to Apply

Interested applicants will need to:

*Vulnerable Workers: Migrant workers in Canada on valid employer-specific work permits who are experiencing abuse, or who are at risk of abuse, in the context of their employment in Canada may be eligible to receive an Open Work Permit (OWP) that is exempt from the Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) requirement. If you believe you are in an abusive situation, You can safely access instructions on the IRCC website.

The Agri-Food pilot will run until May 14, 2025.

Do you want to find out if you are eligible to apply for the Agri-Food Pilot?

Contact Us

 

 

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Express Entry Draws Resuming in July

Express Entry Draws Resuming in July

In an event held in New Brunswick on April 22, 2022 , the Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC), announced that Express Entry draws are resuming in early July 2022. To be specific, these draws to invite federal high-skilled candidates to apply for Canadian permanent residence includes the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) class, Federal Skilled Trades (FST) class and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). You can read the official article on the IRCC website.

 

“With the economy growing faster than employers can hire new workers, Canada needs to look at every option so that we have the skills and labour needed to fuel our growth. Immigration will be crucial to easing our labour shortage, and these measures aim to address pressing needs in all sectors across the country, while providing more opportunities for recent graduates and other applicants to build their lives in Canada and continue contributing to our short-term recovery and long-term prosperity.”

– The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship of Canada

Background

This announcement comes after a long pause made by IRCC during the pandemic that involved the Express Entry draws that affected the above mentioned classes. Since December 23, 2020, there has been no all-program draws, which would include FSW candidates in the pool. On that last draw, IRCC issued 5,000 Invitations to Apply (ITAs). In the same vein, the last draw for CEC candidates took place on September 14, 2021 with 2,000 ITAs issued.  For FST candidates, it has been since August 6, 2020 that this category is not invited to apply for permanent residence.

Processing Inventory

The minister clarified today that this measure to pause draws in those classes was taken at a time when travel restrictions due to the COVID-19 pandemic delayed overseas application processing. As a consequence, there was a large backlog of applications which impacted applicants and their families. Approximately 111,900 people from September 2021 where waiting for their applications to be processed. Fortunately, as of March 2022 this processing inventory went down to 48,000 people. Minister Fraser stated that the institution intends to further reduce the backlog by July 2022.

! If you are planing to become a candidate for the Express Entry pool and are thinking on getting help, start by filling our contact form to proceed with a consultation with our immigration professionals. We will arrange a meeting and determine your eligibility for Canadian immigration.

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Permanent Residence Fee Increase

The permanent residence fee for most Canadian immigration applications will go up as of April 30, 2022. During 2020, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had increased its fees to adjust to inflation. Since then, they have established that IRCC fees will change every 2 years.

Recently, on April 5, 2022, the government of Canada published a notice with the details about the new fees that will apply for most permanent residence applications.

Immigration Programs Changing Fees

The immigration programs that will be affected include:

  • Federal High-Skilled
  • Family Reunification
  • Provincial Nominee Program
  • Atlantic Immigration Class and Economic pilots
  • Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers pilots
  • Protected Persons
  • Humanitarian and Compassionate / Public Policy

Detailed Fee Changes

The announced increase amounts range from CAD* $5 to CAD $50, depending on the program.

The Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) will go up to CAD $515 from the current fee of CAD $500. Another fee that is increasing is the Permit Holders’ fee to CAD $335. An increase of CAD $10 from the current fee.

The only fees that will not be increasing are the Family Reunification sponsorship fee and the sponsored dependent child fee, on the same program. They will both remain at CAD $75.

See the permanent residence fee changes below:

 

PROGRAM CURRENT FEE NEW FEE**
Federal High-Skilled Workers, Provincial Nominee Program, Atlantic Immigration Class and most Economic Pilots (Rural, Agri-Food)
Principal Applicant $825 $850
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $825 $850
Accompanying dependent child $225 $230
Family Reunification (Spouses, Partners and Children; Parents and Grandparents; and other relatives)
Sponsorship Fee $75 $75***
Sponsored principal applicant $475 $490
Sponsored Dependent Child $75 $75***
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $550 $570
Accompanying dependent child $150 $155
Business Class (Federal and Quebec)
Principal Applicant $1,575 $1,625
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $825 $850
Accompanying dependent child $225 $230
Protected Persons
Principal Applicant $550 $570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $550 $570
Accompanying dependent child $150 $155
Humanitarian and Compassionate / Public Policy
Principal Applicant $550 $570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $550 $570
Accompanying dependent child $150 $155
Live-in Caregiver Program and Caregivers Pilots (Home Child Provider Pilot and Home Support Worker Pilot)
Principal Applicant $550 $570
Accompanying spouse or common-law partner $550 $570
Accompanying dependent child $150 $155
Other Fees
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) for principal applicants and accompanying spouses or common-law partners $500 $515
Permit Holders (Principal applicant) $325 $335

Source: Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). Ottawa, April 5, 2022.

* CAD: Canadian Dollars.

** Starting April 30, 2022.

*** No change.

When submitting an application to IRCC, ensure that you familiarize yourself with the correct fees in place and to select the appropriate ones (if not pre-selected or when applying on paper) to avoid returned or incomplete applications. Fees can change without notice. For the most accurate information, refer to the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA), Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) and any of its policies.

For professional immigration advice you can trust, contact us for details on how we can help you with your immigration process.

 

DISCLAIMER

North Compass Immigration Consulting provides the above information and any other information on its website and social media channels as a courtesy and should not be considered as legal immigration advice. Canadian immigration laws change constantly. To clarify, you should not rely on the information contained on this website when determining or selecting an immigration program as the information found on this website may be outdated.

 

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Canada will accept 90,000 Applications for Permanent Residence

Canada announced on April 14, 2021 a new pathway to permanent residence as part of a special public policy. This measure will allow international students in Canada and some temporary workers to apply for permanent residence. Application intake will begin on May 6, 2021 and will end on November 5, 2021 or once the intake cap of streams is reached.

This policy is for persons in Canada that are:

  • International Students

  • Workers in health care occupations

  • Workers in other selected essential occupations (including some trades)

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will allocate a total of 90,000 applications under several streams, including French-speaking candidates’ streams for this policy.

International Students New Pathway Eligibility

To be eligible, international students must:

– Be physically present in Canada with valid temporary status

– Have completed and obtained a credential at an eligible Canadian post-secondary program within the last 4 years (including programs leading to an occupation in a skilled trade from ANNEX A – Eligible Skilled Trades

– Have obtained an approved English or French language test with CLB or NCLC 5

– Be employed in Canada with a valid permit or authorization to work

– Have the intention to live outside Québec

Temporary Workers New Pathway Eligibility

– Must have 1 year of Canadian work experience, at a minimum, or the equivalent in part-time experience (1,560 hours) in an eligible occupation according to ANNEX A – Eligible Health Care Occupations and ANNEX B – Other Eligible Essential Occupations as listed by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

– Must have obtained this experience with authorization or with a work permit.

– Work experience must not have been self-employed (with some exceptions) and must have been obtained in the last 3 years.

– Must be physically present in Canada with valid temporary status

– Must be employed in Canada

– Have obtained an approved English or French language test with CLB or NCLC 4

– Have the intention to live outside Québec

To determine if you may be eligible to apply, you can fill out our intake form:

 

Intake Form

 

We will contact possible applicants by email.

 

DISCLAIMER

This new pathway to permanent residence is a temporary public policy, not a program therefore it can be revoked by the immigration minister without prior notice. Furthermore, application intake caps can be reached at any time once intake opens. This is not a complete list of requirements to immigration applicants in Canada.

The information gathered on the intake form is solely for the purpose of contacting possible applicants. We keep your information confidential. We do not share, disclose, or sell your information. We do not send email marketing or newsletters.

 

 

 

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