Afghan Settlement Program in Canada, 2021
Afghan settlement program is a new immigration program set up by the Federal Government to assist citizens of Afghanistan who provided help to Canadians during the Taliban crises. This resettlement program, like any other immigration routes in Canada is administered by Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
In a news release made last month, Federal Government had committed to helping all eligible Afghans come to Canada through this program. In official news article opening the resettlement program in Ottawa, the Federal Government announced that many citizens of Afghanistan who worked with Canada in various capacities over the last 10 years will benefit from the Afghan settlement program.
Afghan Settlement Program: Why Canada?
Canada believes that many Afghans who have worked with, in and for Canada over the last 10 years deserve to be supported especially in a time of crises following the Taliban take over of their country. These include government officials, civil servants, defense staff and all the people that assisted Canadians in mission at Afghanistan.
IRCC Minister’s Statement
Justifying the Canadian government’s decision to assist Afghans come to Canada, Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship spoke said and we quote.
“Offering refuge to the world’s most vulnerable speaks to who we are as Canadians, particularly in times of crisis. As more Afghan refugees continue to seek shelter in Canada, we’re redoubling our efforts to help 20,000 Afghans refugees—who remain vulnerable wherever they go—find safety here. The situation in Afghanistan is heartbreaking, and Canada will not stand idly by.”
– The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship.
Minister of National Defence’s Statement
“Canadians are deeply concerned by the deteriorating situation in Afghanistan. People around the world know they can count on Canada to support them in times of need, and Canada will be there for vulnerable Afghans. Women leaders, human rights defenders, journalists, religious minorities, LGBTI individuals, and others covered by this program will be safe here in Canada, and I look forward to welcoming them to our country.”
– The Honourable Harjit S. Sajjan, P.C., M.P., Minister of National Defence.
Minister of Foreign Affairs’s Statement
“As Minister of Foreign Affairs, I am following the situation in Afghanistan very carefully. I remain in close contact with allies as well as our Ambassador in Kabul, and continue to monitor the security situation carefully. Afghans have put their lives at great risk to support Canada in helping Afghans achieve significant democratic, human rights, education, health and security gains over the past twenty years. We owe them a debt of gratitude and we will continue our efforts to bring them to safety.”
– The Honourable Marc Garneau, Minister of Foreign Affairs.
Eligible Occupation for Afghan Resettlement Program
Jobs in the following occupations are eligible for the Government of Canada resettlement program for Afghanistan citizens. Afghanistan nationals may use the special resettlement program if they worked with the Canadian Defense or were employed at the Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan.
Eligible occupations include:
- interpreters
- cooks/chefs
- drivers
- cleaners
- construction workers
- security guards
- local embassy support staff
Can family members apply?
Yes, eligible applicants can apply with their family members, including depends who live in any Afghanistan province/city at the time of submitting application. To qualify, applicants and family members must not be inadmissible to Canada.
Two groups of Afghans are invited
- You may be eligible for this program if you’re an Afghan national, you’re outside of Afghanistan and you don’t have a durable solution in a third country.
- You may be eligible for this program if you’re an extended family member of someone who helped the Government of Canada and has already been resettled to Canada. This includes family members who are still in Afghanistan.
Government of Canada’s commitment
These refugees are coming to Canada as government-assisted refugees. To help the Afghans adjust to life in Canada, service provider organizations in communities across Canada are preparing to welcome them. Settlement organizations will help them to find permanent housing, language training, a job and connections with established immigrants and Canadians and provide them with the information that they need about life in Canada, and the community in which they will settle. All of these services will help Afghans settle into their new home.
Other useful sections include:
- Special measures for Afghan applications.
- Special programs for Afghan nationals.
- Assistance for Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Afghanistan.
- Canadian Armed Forces operation in Afghanistan.
- Political situation in Afghanistan
There are efforts being made all over the world in bringing a negotiated settlement to the Afghan conflict. To learn about the situation in Afghanistan and how Canada is helping, visit the Afghanistan section of IRCC website.
