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express entry funds requirement

Here Is New Express Entry Funds Requirement W.E.F. June 9!

IRCC updated Express Entry funds requirement table that shows how much money you need to settle in Canada. Furthermore, this came into effect on June 9, 2022. Existing Express Entry profiles updated their settlement funds before June 8, 2022 to stay eligible for upcoming draws. Additionally, IRCC has mentioned that updating proof of funds did not effect original date and time of profile creation.

Proof of funds are required for Federal Skilled Worker Program or Federal Skilled Trades Program. However, applicants under these categories don’t need proof of funds if they have authorization to work in Canada with a valid job offer.

How to Calculate Settlement Funds

Settlement funds for express entry depends upon the size of the applicant’s family. Size of the family must include:

  • Applicant
  • Spouse or partner of applicant
  • Dependent children and
  • Spouse’s dependent children

For calculation of settlement funds spouse or dependent children must be included even if they are permanent residents/Canadian citizen or not accompanying the applicant to Canada

New Express Entry Funds Requirement

Number of
family members
Funds required
(in Canadian dollars)
1$13,310
2$16,570
3$20,371
4$24,733
5$28,052
6$31,638
7$35,224
For each additional family member$3,586

Express Entry Funds Requirement – Effective June 9

Acceptable Proof Of Funds For Express Entry

As per IRCC website, proof of funds must be an official letters from any banks or financial institutions. And, it must be printed on the financial institution’s letterhead. It should also include

  • their contact information (address, telephone number and email address)
  • Applicants name
  • list of outstanding debts such as credit card debts and loans
  • for each current bank and investment account, the
    • account numbers
    • date each account was opened
    • current balance of each account
    • average balance for the past 6 months

Source: IRCC Website

Latest Canada Immigration News & Articles

  • Canada To Ease IELTS Score For SDS Study Visa W.E.F. Aug 10

    As per official IDP IELTS website, Canada study visa applicants via SDS will no longer need IELTS Score (Academic) of 6 bands in each module.

    Instead, only an overall score of 6 will be required in IELTS Academic starting August 10, 2023.

    For example, if you have a score of 5.5 in Reading and Writing, and 6.5 in Speaking and Listening, your overall score would be 6 and you will be eligible to apply Canada study visa under Student Direct Stream (SDS).

    However, IRCC will require a band score of 6.0 in each module (Reading, Listening, Writing, and Speaking) for IELTS Score under General Training (GT).

    There is no official update from IRCC confirming this, but we (INC News) reached out to IDP IELTS to confirm this information and they responded with information mentioned in snippet below.

    New IELTS Score Requirement For SDS

    This is really a good news for a lot of students who were ineligible for SDS study visa because their IELTS Score was less than 6 only in 1 or 2 modules, but otherwise had overall high score than 6 bands.

    The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently approved 4 new English language examinations for Canada Study Visa via Student Direct Stream (SDS).

    The Pearson PTE Academic, TOEFL internet-based Test (iBT), and Canadian Academic English Language Assessment (CAEL) are the new English tests that will be accepted by IRCC as evidence of English proficiency for SDS beginning August 10, 2023.

    English Language TestMinimum Score Needed for SDS
    IELTS AcademicOverall 6.0
    IELTS General Training6.0 in each module
    PTE AcademicOverall 60
    CAELOverall 60
    CELPIP General7.0 in each module
    TOEFL iBTOverall 83
    English Test Requirements – Canada Study Visa via SDS

    What is IELTS Score requirement for Canada Study Visa via SDS?

    Applicants need to score 6 bands in each module of IELTS to apply for Canada study visa via Student Direct Stream (SDS).

    However, IDP IELTS claim that applicants will no longer need IELTS score (only Academic) of 6 bands in each module beginning August 10, 2023.

    Which countries are eligible for Canada Study Visa under SDS?

    1. Antigua and Barbuda
    2. Brazil
    3. China
    4. Colombia
    5. Costa Rica
    6. India
    7. Morocco
    8. Pakistan
    9. Peru
    10. Philippines
    11. Senegal
    12. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
    13. Trinidad and Tobago
    14. Vietnam

  • Spousal Open Work Permit Extension ‘Opt-In’ Is Now Open

    Spousal Open Work Permit Extension: “Opt-In” option to get an open work permit extension for up to 18 months is now available to eligible candidates until June 28, 2023.

    Canada Immigration Minister Sean Fraser announced this 18-month extension for For Spousal & Family class applicants on May 26, 2023, in an effort improve family reunification.

    As per this new measure, eligible spousal open work permit holders can apply for additional 18-month extension of their open work permit.

    Who Is Eligible For Spousal Open Work Permit Extension Opt-In

    You are eligible for 18-month spousal open work permit extension if you meet below listed criteria:

    You currently hold a valid open work permit and it will expire prior to December 31, 2023.

    • You are one of the following:
      • An applicant who has currently applied for Canada permanent residence, but awaiting decision on your application.
      • Permanent residence applicants awaiting a decision on their permanent residence application and their spouses.
      • Spouse or dependent child/children of a work permit holder.
      • Spouses of study permit holders.
    • Your biometrics will remain valid for the full 18-month extension (unless exempt from biometric requirement).
    • You have a Canadian mailing address.
    • Your passport is valid for at least 18 months past the expiry of your current spousal open work permit.
    • You are admissible to Canada (meaning you don’t have any major legal proceeding or a medical condition).

    How to apply for 18-month Spousal Open Work Permit Extension

    Remember to get an 18-month spousal open work permit extension, you will have to apply before your current work permit expires.

    So there are 2 options as originally announced by immigration minister and listed below:

    1. Opt-In: “Opt-In” is free facilitative measure that is now available in the secure GCKey account through which you initially applied.

    This is the easiest way to get 18-month spousal open work permit extension by simply updating your address and passport details, and selecting “Opt-In” in your secure IRCC account.

    This option is only available until June 28, 2023. Individuals using “Opt-In” option will receive their new extension of open work permit by mail to their newly updated address.

    “OR”

    2. Apply for open work permit: If you are unable to “Opt-In” before June 28, 2023 or due to any reason this option is unavailable in your GCKey, then you can still get 18-month extension.

    You will need to apply for open work permit by submitting normal work permit application by citing this public policy in your application and following the IRCC special instructions.

    Click here for IRCC special instructions to apply for spousal open work permit extension.

    How much Spousal Open Work Permit extension will I get?

    You will get an 18-month extension of your spousal open work permit from the date of your current work permit expiry.

    Should I “Opt-In” for spousal open work permit extension if my permit is going to expire after July 2023?

    Yes, you can “opt-in” for spousal open work permit extension before the expiry of your current work permit. This is only available until June 18, 2023.

    As per IRCC instructions, you will get 18-month extension from the date of expiry of your current work permit.

    Please note that there is no guarantee that IRCC will not back down from these instructions as they did in 18-month PGWP extension instructions.

    So if your work permit is expiring in September or October 2023, try to use the work permit application method to take the maximum benefit of this extension or to avoid any last minute IRCC changes.

    How can I “Opt-In” for Spousal Open Work Permit extension as I initially applied through a consultant?

    You can either link GCKey to your application or ask your consultant to provide the details of your account.

    If you are unable to do either of these, then you can simply apply for extension using special IRCC instructions.

    spousal open work permit extension
    Photo by Ketut Subiyanto on Pexels.comspousal open work permit extension
  • International Students Protesting Deportations From Canada

    International students have joined hands to protest in front of CBSA office in Mississauga to stop the deportations in fake offer letter case.

    Since May 29, 2023 students have been demonstrating near 6900 Airport Road day and night without any break.

    International students facing deportations met with CBSA officers and presented their demands on June 2, 2023.

    On June 7, 2023 all-party committee on immigration voted unanimously calling on CBSA to waive inadmissibility in fake offer letter case.

    Furthermore, they voted to provide an alternate permanent residence pathway through regularization program or on humanitarian basis.

    In a press conference held on June 6, 2023, the Canadian Minister of Immigration stated that a procedure will be in place to enable students to demonstrate that they were innocently exploited.

    He also stated that the issue of mistreatment of international pupils in Canada is “extraordinarily important.”

    In addition, he stated, “In the acute phase, we must evaluate this process in order to provide a pathway for the innocent victims of fraud to remain in Canada. At the same time, we ensure that those who have been complicit in fraud cannot cannot take advantage.”

    The students are continuing to protest 24 hours a day, seven days a week, until Lovepreet’s deportation order is lifted.

    Lovepreet has been ordered to leave Canada by June 13, 2023 in fake offer letter case, wherein he was not aware that his agent used a fraudulent document to get his study permit to Canada.

    International Students Protesting Deportations From Canada
    Lovepreet Singh

    Predominant business owners, social media influencers, and immigration consultants are also joining the protest to support international students and stop deportation of Lovepreet Singh.

    Amardeep Singh of Sky Immigration among the beginners of protest, urged the community to get together to support Lovepreet Singh and join the protest.

    Bob Dosanjh Singh who ran for the office of Brampton Mayor says international students facing deportations are not at fault, rather Canadian system under Liberals is flawed.

    He says that none of the international student should be deported in the fake offer letter case and calls on Canadians to come out in support of these international students.

    “Some of these international students have been working and filing taxes since last 5-6 years and now receiving removal order letters is totally wrong.” he added.

    Kanwar Sierah of Sierah Immigration raises that Canadian colleges are also at fault in these cases as they tie up and pay commission to the “ghost consultants” overseas who operate without any regulatory authority.

    Furthermore, these colleges send their delegates overseas in education seminars of these unauthorized consultants to recruit international students. When such a Canadian delegate endorses such “ghost consultants” students trust the process and do not question the authenticity of college offer letters.

    He suggests that deportation should be stopped and these students should get open work permit until an agreement is reached. Additionally, Canadian government should form a legal panel to include all the students in fake offer letter case, rather than working on individual cases.

    Mani Boparai of 22G Auto Sales, Mintu Smagh of Pendu Canadian, and Govind Sandhu of RET Canada are among the leading faces in the protest.

    Mintu Smagh feeling positive about this protest calls on everyone to use the hashtags #stopdeportation and #uniteforjustice on Twitter so that protest reaches Salma Zahid, Chairperson of the Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration studies as well as other members.

    On the other hand, immigration minister Sean Fraser prior to this protest tweeted that their focus is not to penalize victim international students, rather they are working on finding the actual culprits.

    In similar case of Karamjeet Kaur who was ordered to leave Canada on May 29 got her order stayed at the last moment based on Humanitarian and Compassionate grounds.

    Overall Canadian immigration system seems unfair in such cases given that such individuals have contributed to Canadian economy filing taxes for last 5-6 years.

    Either CBSA should have caught them at entry 5-6 years ago by spotting the fake offer letter, but those documents seemed so genuine that even they believed in them.

    If an IRCC visa officer or CBSA officer who are trained to catch fraudulent documents were unable to identify the fake offer letters, then how could a student would have known it.

    We (INC – Immigration News Canada) have been raising the concerns of these international students since these cases were made public through our platform and would continue to stand in support of international students.

    Deportation of all the international students in fake offer letter case should immediately be stayed and an exception should be made to allow them continue their life in Canada, given that these international students didn’t know about the fake offer letter and they are victims of conspiracy by their ghost consultants.


  • IRCC Adds 13 New Nations To List Of Visa-Free Countries

    Today, Minister of IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) Sean Fraser announced addition of 13 new nations to the list of eligible countries for visa-free travel to Canada.

    As per one of the expectations posted by INC – Immigration News Canada, IRCC adds 13 nations to the list of visa-free countries.

    New countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada: Panama, Caribbean island states of Antigua and Barbados, St. Kits and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Argentina, Morocco, Seychelles, Thailand, and Philippines.

    Effective today, travellers from these countries who have held a Canadian visa within the past 10 years or who currently possess a valid United States non-immigrant visa can now apply for an eTA (electronic Travel Authorization) instead of a visa while coming to Canada.

    You can watch the announcement here 👇

    The announcement was made at Winnipeg Richardson International Airport – Departure Terminal, 2000 Wellington Avenue, Winnipeg, Manitoba R3H 1C2.

    Immigration minister was joined by Kevin Lamoureux, Parliamentary Secretary to the Leader of the Government in the House of Commons and Rechie Valdez, MP for Mississauga—Streetsville, Ontario.

    After media availability, IRCC Minister Sean Fraser will be attending a roundtable discussion with local stakeholders and community members at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM).

    As per official press release, on the following day (June 7, 2023), Minister Fraser will also be welcoming 20 new Canadian citizens at a special ceremony hosted by VIA Rail.

    IRCC Minister To Make A New Announcement For Visa-Free Travel

    INC News Expectations Prior to the announcement

    There was no confirmation from IRCC or immigration department regarding what the new announcement was supposed to be.

    However, INC – Immigration News Canada posted the possibility that immigration minister announces addition of new visa-free country or countries for Canada or Canadian citizens, but there was no official update to confirm it.

    With immigration minister’s schedule to have a roundtable with community members at the Philippine Canadian Centre of Manitoba (PCCM) indicates that there was an expectation that there could be some good news coming for filipinos community, but it was just based on the speculation.

    Full list of Visa-Free countries for Canada

    1. Andorra
    2. Argentina
    3. Australia
    4. Austria
    5. Bahamas
    6. Barbados
    7. Belgium
    8. British citizen
    9. British National (Overseas)
    10. British overseas citizen (re-admissible to the United Kingdom)
    11. British overseas territory citizen with citizenship through birth, descent, naturalization or registration in one of the British overseas territories of:Anguilla
      • Bermuda
      • British Virgin Islands
      • Cayman Islands
      • Falkland Islands (Malvinas)
      • Gibraltar
      • Montserrat
      • Pitcairn Island
      • Saint Helena
      • Turks and Caicos Islands
    12. British Subject with a right of abode in the United Kingdom
    13. Brunei Darussalam
    14. Bulgaria
    15. Caribbean island states of
      • Antigua and Barbados
      • St. Kits and Nevis
      • St. Lucia
      • St. Vincent and the Grenadines
      • Trinidad & Tobago
    16. Chile
    17. Costa Rica
    18. Croatia
    19. Cyprus
    20. Czech Republic
    21. Denmark
    22. Estonia
    23. Finland
    24. France
    25. Germany
    26. Greece
    27. Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, must have a passport issued by Hong Kong SAR.
    28. Hungary
    29. Iceland
    30. Ireland
    31. Israel, must have a national Israeli passport
    32. Italy
    33. Japan
    34. Republic of Korea
    35. Latvia
    36. Liechtenstein
    37. Lithuania
    38. Luxembourg
    39. Malta
    40. Mexico
    41. Monaco
    42. Morocco
    43. Netherlands
    44. New Zealand
    45. Norway
    46. Panama
    47. Papua New Guinea
    48. Philippines
    49. Poland
    50. Portugal
    51. Romania (electronic passport holders only)
    52. Samoa
    53. San Marino
    54. Seychelles
    55. Singapore
    56. Slovakia
    57. Slovenia
    58. Solomon Islands
    59. Spain
    60. Sweden
    61. Switzerland
    62. Taiwan, must have an ordinary passport issued by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Taiwan that includes the personal identification number
    63. Thailand
    64. United Arab Emirates
    65. Uruguay
    66. Vatican City State, must have a passport or travel document issued by the Vatican.

    What are the new countries eligible for Visa-Free (eTA) travel?

    New countries eligible for visa-free travel to Canada: Panama, the Caribbean island states of Antigua and Barbados, St. Kits and Nevis, St. Lucia, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad & Tobago, Costa Rica, Uruguay, Argentina, Morocco, Seychelles, Thailand, and Philippines.

    What is electronic travel authorization or eTA for Canada?

    An Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) is required for visa-exempt foreign nationals flying to Canada. An eTA is connected to a traveler’s passport electronically.

    It is valid for up to five years or until the expiration of the passport, whichever comes first. If you obtain a new passport, you must obtain a new eTA.

    How much is the cost of eTA for Canada?

    $7 Canadian dollars is cost of an eTA per individual.

  • New OINP Draw Invites 417 Francophone Express Entry Profiles

    Today, first Ontario-OINP draw of June 2023 invites 417 Express Entry profiles targeting only francophone candidates with 98 NOC codes as their primary occupation.

    Express Entry profiles created between June 5, 2022 – June 5, 2023 with CLB level 7 or higher in French as well as CLB level 6 or higher in English are eligible for today’s OINP draw.

    Profiles having a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score between 312 – 487 are considered for OINP draw today.

    If you are serious about your Canadian permanent residency and want to achieve it asap, learn French.

    Having French proficiency will also lead to your selection in new Express Entry targeted draws announced by IRCC on May 31, 2023.

    Below is the summary of OINP Draw today:

    Number InvitationsCRS score rangeDescription
    278312-487Targeted draw for 39 Health, Education and Finance occupations
    139348-487Targeted draw for 59 Tech, Trades and Other Priority occupations
    OINP Draw – June 5

    Full List of Invited Occupations In OINP Draw Today

    Health, Education and Finance occupations | CRS Cut Off 312 – 487

    1. NOC 10010 – Financial managers
    2. NOC 10011 – Human resources managers
    3. NOC 12101 – Human resources and recruitment officers
    4. NOC 12102 – Procurement and purchasing agents and officers
    5. NOC 13100 – Administrative officers
    6. NOC 13110 – Administrative assistants
    7. NOC 31100 – Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine
    8. NOC 31101 – Specialists in surgery
    9. NOC 31102 – General practitioners and family physicians
    10. NOC 31112 – Audiologists and Speech-Language Pathologists
    11. NOC 31120 – Pharmacists
    12. NOC 31200 – Psychologists
    13. NOC 31202 – Physiotherapists
    14. NOC 31203 – Occupational Therapists
    15. NOC 31204 – Kinesiologists and other professional occupations in therapy and assessment
    16. NOC 31301 – Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses
    17. NOC 31302 – Nurse practitioners
    18. NOC 31303 – Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals
    19. NOC 32101 – Licensed practical nurses
    20. NOC 32103 – Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists
    21. NOC 32109 – Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment
    22. NOC 32120 – Medical laboratory technologists
    23. NOC 32121 – Medical radiation technologists
    24. NOC 33102 – Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates
    25. NOC 33103 – Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants
    26. NOC 33109 – Other assisting occupations in support of health services
    27. NOC 40021 – School principals and administrators of elementary and secondary education
    28. NOC 41200 – University professors and lecturers
    29. NOC 41210 – College and other vocational instructors
    30. NOC 41220 – Secondary school teachers
    31. NOC 41221 – Elementary school and kindergarten teachers
    32. NOC 41300 – Social Workers
    33. NOC 41301 – Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies
    34. NOC 41310 – Police investigators and other investigative occupations
    35. NOC 41321 – Career development practitioners and career counsellors (except education)
    36. NOC 42201 – Social and community service workers
    37. NOC 42202 – Early childhood educators and assistants
    38. NOC 42203 – Instructors of Persons with Disabilities
    39. NOC 43100 – Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants

    Tech, Trades and Other Priority occupations | CRS Cutoff 348 – 487

    1. NOC 20010 – Engineering managers
    2. NOC 20012 – Computer and Information Systems Managers
    3. NOC 21111 – Forestry professionals
    4. NOC 21112 – Agricultural representatives, consultants and specialists
    5. NOC 21120 – Public and environmental health and safety professionals
    6. NOC 21211 – Data Scientists
    7. NOC 21223 – Database Analysts and Data Administrators
    8. NOC 21230 – Computer systems developers and programmers
    9. NOC 21231 – Software engineers and designers
    10. NOC 21232 – Software developers and programmers
    11. NOC 21233 – Web designers
    12. NOC 21234 – Web Developers and Programmers
    13. NOC 21300 – Civil engineers
    14. NOC 21301 – Mechanical engineers
    15. NOC 21310 – Electrical and electronic engineers
    16. NOC 21311 – Computer engineers (except software engineers and designers)
    17. NOC 21320 – Chemical engineers
    18. NOC 21321 – Industrial and manufacturing engineers
    19. NOC 21322 – Metallurgical and materials engineers
    20. NOC 21330 – Mining engineers
    21. NOC 21331 – Geological engineers
    22. NOC 22101 – Geological and mineral technologists and technicians
    23. NOC 22301 – Mechanical engineering technologies and technicians
    24. NOC 22302 – Industrial engineers and manufacturing technologists and technicians
    25. NOC 22313 – Aircraft instrument, electrical and avionics mechanics, technicians, and inspectors
    26. NOC 62020 – Food service supervisors
    27. NOC 63201 – Butchers – retail and wholesale
    28. NOC 63202 – Bakers
    29. NOC 72011 – Contractors and supervisors, electrical trades and telecommunications occupations
    30. NOC 72014 – Contractors and supervisors, other construction trades, installers, repairers and servicers
    31. NOC 72020 – Contractors and supervisors, mechanic trades
    32. NOC 72024 – Supervisors, motor transport and other ground transit operators
    33. NOC 72100 – Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors
    34. NOC 72101 – Tool and die makers
    35. NOC 72104 – Structural metal and platework fabricators and fitters
    36. NOC 72106 – Welders and related machine operators
    37. NOC 72200 – Electricians (except industrial and power system)
    38. NOC 72201 – Industrial electricians
    39. NOC 72204 – Telecommunications line and cable installers and repairers
    40. NOC 72205 – Telecommunications equipment installation and cable television service technicians
    41. NOC 72300 – Plumbers
    42. NOC 72302 – Gas fitters
    43. NOC 72310 – Carpenters
    44. NOC 72311 – Cabinetmakers
    45. NOC 72320 – Bricklayers
    46. NOC 72400 – Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics
    47. NOC 72401 – Heavy-duty equipment mechanics
    48. NOC 72404 – Aircraft mechanics and aircraft inspectors
    49. NOC 72410 – Automotive service technicians, truck and bus mechanics and mechanical repairers
    50. NOC 72421 – Appliance servicers and repairers
    51. NOC 73100 – Concrete finishers
    52. NOC 73102 – Plasterers, drywall installers and finishers and lathers
    53. NOC 73110 – Roofers and shinglers
    54. NOC 73111 – Glaziers
    55. NOC 73112 – Painters and decorators (except interior decorators)
    56. NOC 73402 – Drillers and blasters – surface mining, quarrying and construction
    57. NOC 82020 – Supervisors, mining and quarrying
    58. NOC 82030 – Agricultural service contractors and farm supervisors
    59. NOC 93200 – Aircraft assemblers and aircraft assembly inspectors

    OINP Draw, OINP Draw today, OINP News, OINP update, new OINP draw, Ontario PNP Draw, latest OINP Draw

    Ontario-OINP Draw today - June 5
    Photo by Andre Furtado on Pexels.com
  • Canadian-Afghans Sue Feds For Discrimination In Immigration

    2 of the Afghan Canadians who worked for the Canadian military in Afghanistan filed a lawsuit alleging the Federal Government of discriminatory immigration policies.

    In an application with the Federal Court, these two Canadian Afghans alleged that the Canadian government offered “superior immigration benefits” to Ukrainians as compared to those offered to Afghans.

    “Ukrainians are predominantly white and European. Afghans are predominantly dark-skinned and Muslim. Thus, the CUAET has the effect of distinguishing based on race, colour, ethnic origin and religion, which are prohibited grounds under s. 15 of the Charter,” as per their lawsuit application obtained by Toronto Star.

    “We are proud Canadians, we are proud of what we did for Canada and now we are being treated like trash,” said one of lawsuit filing Afghan-Canadian.

    As per the policy for Afghan language and culture advisers (LCAs), their immediate family member such as sister is eligible to come to Canada, but her adult children is ineligible.

    “We want Ukrainian policy to be extended to anyone who needs it.” “Not just Ukrainians, but anyone in a similar situation of wartime persecution or grave human-rights violations,” said Nicholas Pope, one of the attorneys representing the advisors.

    What is the Canadian Afghans’ Case all about?

    During Canada’s engagement in the conflict, language and culture advisers (LCAs), were recruited and sent alongside soldiers to help them traverse the new cultural landscape.

    Unlike interpreters, who were hired on a contract basis by the military through international businesses, LCAs were treated as serving members of the military, wearing uniforms and receiving high-level security clearances to carry out their duties.

    Over the duration of the operation, around 45 of them worked with the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF).

    One of the 2 lawsuit filing Afghans was among the last deployments to Kandahar before Canada’s combat role concluded in 2011.

    When the Taliban seized over Afghanistan in 2021, Canada committed to relocate 40,000 Afghans by the end of the year, including former translators, human rights advocates, and members of religious minority organizations.

    However, LCAs were advised that they would have to use on regular economic or family sponsorship methods to bring family members from Afghanistan to Canada.

    Furthermore, one of the human rights case pushed Canadian government to broaden its current Afghan settlement program to include families of LCAs as well.

    Now the 2 complainants claim that the program is too restricted in scope in comparison to the one implemented by Canada for Ukrainians.

    The CUAET was one of the Canadian government’s policy to provide safe harbour for Ukrainians fleeing Russia’s invasion.

    It grants Ukrainians and their family members, even if they are not Ukrainian, prolonged temporary immigration status in Canada, allowing them to work and study here.

    Additionally, there is no limit on the amount of applications accepted under the program without paying any processing fee and priority processing.

    LCA candidates must have been in Afghanistan on or after July 22, 2021 and fulfill a specified definition of family member, according to the rules.

    Moreover, only 380 applications quota is assigned for LCAs, whereas there is no cap for Ukrainians fleeing the war.

    According to the lawsuit, if the LCAs were Ukrainian, they would have no trouble bringing their family members to Canada, who are ineligible as per the policy for Afghans.

    Canadian Immigration Response

    As per Toronto Star, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) stated that the Afghans had no grounds to allege national origin discrimination.

    People who are not Ukrainian do not have access to the Ukrainian program, according to IRCC, and not all programs can be offered to everyone.

    “If that were the case, IRCC would be unable to respond to any humanitarian crisis in a targeted facilitative manner without responding equally and simultaneously to all humanitarian crises,” IRCC

    Immigration Minister Sean Fraser back in December 2022 said they don’t have plans to increase the allocation for Afghans because it will “eat away allocations that are already committed to other groups who working to sponsor people.”


    Canadian-Afghans Sue Feds For Discrimination In Immigration