Canada Opens New PR Pathway For Colombians, Haitians & Venezuelans

Last Updated On 18 November 2023, 10:04 AM EST (Toronto Time)

Canada’s new PR pathway is now open for applications from Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan foreign nationals seeking Canadian permanent residency.

Originally, Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced this dedicated humanitarian pathway on October 10, 2023.

This new PR pathway will welcome up to 11,000 people who have family in Canada and meet the below-listed requirements.

Learn More About

Eligibility Criteria for New PR pathway

Colombian, Haitian, or Venezuelan nationals currently residing in South or Central America, Mexico, or the Caribbean who have a Canadian citizen or permanent residency family member in Canada.

Family members include a spouse, common-law partner, child (of any age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling.

These Canadian family members must agree to support them and their family members as an anchor for one year.

The pathway to support migrants from the Americas is now open for applications. We’re determined to uphold our humanitarian tradition and support those in need, particularly in light of the current global migration crisis. #cdnpoli https://t.co/0U1SXS5Sty
— Marc Miller ᐅᑭᒫᐃᐧᐅᓃᐸᐄᐧᐤᐃᔨᐣ (@MarcMillerVM) November 17, 2023

Special Support fo Eligible Applicants

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will support the eligible applicants by:

waiving the Right to Permanent Residency Fee, all application costs, and biometric fees
offering pre-departure medical care to help preserve your health and ensure safe travel to Canada
provide you the equivalent of three months of financial aid once you arrive in Canada, to assist you in settling
give you free settlement services before and after you come to assist you in assimilating into Canadian society and the labour force

Canada is also welcoming workers from the Americas by bringing in an additional 4,000 people through existing temporary worker programs, such as the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

Need for This PR Pathway

Illegal migration across Central America has increased significantly. As a result, there has been an increase in migrant smuggling, physical insecurity, and exploitation of people passing through the region.

This new PR pathway is part of Canada’s commitment to welcome 15,000 Western Hemisphere migrants on a humanitarian basis during Joe Biden’s visit to Canada in March 2023.

@immigrationnewscanada
🇨🇦🤝🇺🇸Canada will accept an additional 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere on a humanitarian basis over the course of the year 🇨🇦🤝🇺🇸 Western Hemisphere includes Antigua and Barbuda, the Bahamas, Barbados, Belize, Canada, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Saint Kitts and Nevis, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Trinidad and Tobago, and the United States from the North America 🔗Link in bio for details #canada #immigration #america #new #pathway #15000 #migrants #canadaimmigration #canadian #immigrants
♬ original sound – Immigration News Canada (INC)

These policies are intended to reduce migratory pressures in the Western Hemisphere.

For some individuals uprooted by political, social, and economic insecurity, the new humanitarian channel offers an alternative to irregular migration north through Central America.

The IRCC will continue to assess the pathway’s progress and make adjustments as needed to achieve these objectives.

How do I apply for this new PR pathway?

You must apply online through the IRCC portal. Your anchor (Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member) must sign a statutory declaration stating their willingness to support you in Canada.

Click here for more details on this program and how to apply.

What is Canada’s annual immigration target for 2024?

Canada intends to accept 485,000 new permanent residents in 2024, 500,000 in 2025, and 500,000 in 2026 through various immigration programs for skilled workers, family sponsorship, and humanitarian basis.

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.