Last Updated On 29 December 2023, 9:38 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, has announced a new family-based immigration pathway for people affected by conflict in Sudan.

This new humanitarian-based Canada permanent residency pathway is for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who were residing in Sudan on or before April 15, 2023.

April 15, 2023, is the date when the conflict in Sudan began and this new pathway will enable family members to permanently reunite with their families.

The applicant must be the child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who resides in Canada in order to be eligible.

Additionally, their Canadian family connection must consent to provide them with support and assistance as they establish their new life here.

Soon, the IRCC website will include more details so that individuals can get ready to apply through the pathway.

These steps expand upon the temporary immigration policies already in place for family members of Canadians and permanent residents who fled Sudan and arrived here before July 15, 2023.

These measures are also for Sudanese temporary residents already in the country who may not be able to return home due to the circumstances there.

In addition to passing all biometric and security screenings, applicants must not be inadmissible from entering Canada.

Existing Temporary Measures By Canada For Sudan Conflict

There have been previously imposed temporary measures for nationals of Sudan in addition to the ones announced today:

granting free applications for stay extensions and status changes (visitor, student, or temporary worker) to Sudanese people residing in Canada.
removing the application fees for temporary residence for foreign nationals who left Sudan with their Canadian relatives.
giving processing applications for temporary and permanent residence that people who are still in Sudan have previously submitted to our system priority.
removing the need to possess a passport or other travel authorization in order to be granted a permanent resident visa to enter the country.
removing travel document fees for Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Sudan who want to depart, including passport and residency fees.

These temporary measures are in place for family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who left Sudan after the conflict began and entered here prior to July 15, 2023.

Additionally, IRCC is doing priority processing of Sudanese citizens’ fully completed applications for both temporary and permanent residency.

For Sudanese nationals living here, there are provisions in place if they choose to apply for another temporary residence document or want to extend their current status until October 27, 2024.

Furthermore, IRCC is also prioritizing webform queries if they are using the online web form and adding the keyword SD2023 at the end of the description.

Today, we announced a new family-based humanitarian pathway for Sudanese and non-Sudanese nationals who resided in Sudan when the conflict began on April 15, 2023, so they can reunite on a permanent basis with their family in Canada.

To be eligible, applicants must be a child of… pic.twitter.com/9hOg8yFPH6
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) December 28, 2023

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC

Kamal Deep Singh, RCIC (Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant) licensed by CICC (formerly known as ICCRC) with member number R708618. He brings extensive knowledge of immigration law and new changes to rapidly evolving IRCC.