Last Updated On 30 April 2023, 10:22 AM EDT (Toronto Time)
April 30, 2023: Latest Update on Canada’s Response to Sudan Crisis
Defence Minister Anita Anand gives an update on attempts to remove Canadians from Sudan amid the country’s ongoing crisis in a virtual press conference.
General Wayne Eyre, the chief of the military staff, and federal officials are with her at this press conference.
April 29, 2023 Update
Sudanese nationals in Canada can seek to extend their stay or alter their status as a guest, student, or temporary worker for free as of April 30, 2023.
This includes free open work permits, which allow access to the employment market and additional freedom to sustain oneself while in Canada.
These steps will serve to protect the Sudanese people already in Canada by keeping families together and providing them with a secure place to remain.
Canada is also removing the requirement to have a passport or travel document in order to be granted for a permanent residence visa to enter Canada.
These steps are in addition to the price exemptions for passports and travel papers for Canadians and permanent residents of Canada in Sudan, as well as the prioritization of completed applications for temporary and permanent residency from Sudanese citizens for when it is safe to travel.
Canadians in Sudan are asked to monitor travel.gc.ca for updates as frequently as possible and to register with the Government of Canada’s Registration of Canadians Abroad service to get direct information.
April 24, 2023 Update From Canadian Government
Canada is responding to ongoing situation in Sudan with a plan to help Sudanese temporary residents inside Canada and helping Canadians stranded in Sudan.
On April 24, 2023 immigration minister of Canada announced special measures for Sudanese temporary resident in Canada who may not be able to return home owing to the rapidly deteriorating circumstances in their country.
The Canadian immigration department will set new immigration measures allowing Sudanese to apply for an extension of their stay in Canada.
Furthermore, IRCC will allow the citizens of Sudan to switch between temporary streams, continuing their studies, work, or family visits free of cost. More details will be made public in upcoming days.
For Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Sudan who want to leave, Canada will also eliminate the expenses for passports and travel documents for permanent residents.
The Government of Canada will prioritize the processing of complete temporary and permanent residence applications from those who are still in Sudan.
This will make it easier for individuals remaining in Sudan to apply for asylum and travel once it is safe to do so.
All other eligibility and admissibility conditions will still apply to those qualified for expedited processing.
The IRCC is prepared to send more officers to the region to assist those already on the ground with immigration-related activities.
Citizens of Canada in Sudan who want immediate consular assistance can contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre at:
- by calling +1 613-996-8885
- by text message at +1 613-686-3658
- via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881
- via Telegram at Canada Emergency Abroad
- by e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca
At the Emergency Watch and Response Centre in Ottawa, Global Affairs Canada has more than 110 surge capacity responders on ready to receive calls and emails from Canadians in Sudan seeking aid and guidance.
As of 1 p.m. on April 25, 1703 Canadians were listed as being in Sudan with Global Affairs Canada, with 573 requesting assistance in leaving the country.
The Government of Canada has arranged the departure of over 100 Canadians with the assistance of their allies.
To enable departure assistance, Canadian officials are in contact with Canadian residents who are presently in Sudan, providing them with vital information regarding evacuation possibilities.
Global Affairs Canada also announced that personnel from the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) and military aircraft from Canada have been sent to the region.
In a complex and changing security environment, Canada continues to military planning and the CAF is aiding with transportation operations.
The CAF maintains strong regional ties and collaborates closely with its friends and partners. The safe extraction of Canadian residents necessitates diligence.
The Canada Border Services Agency does not have any removals to Sudan scheduled at this time, and all activity on removals to Sudan has been halted.
Canada has been chairing negotiations on the crisis response with the G7 nations, as well as the European Union, and officials from the United Nations and the World Bank.
Know IRCC Strike New Updates: Expect Processing Delays.
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