The current crisis in Afghanistan is causing widespread fear and displacement. There were already over 2.2 million Afghan refugees in neighbouring countries and more than 3.5 million internally displaced people inside Afghanistan.

Thank you to all those sponsors who have reached out to offer support. We look forward to working with each of you. This is what we know so far about IRCC's special Public Policies:

Public Policy #1: This program is currently underway and is a special immigration program for locally engaged Afghan nationals and their families. This policy aims to help people who assisted the Government of Canada. Thousands of Afghans have already arrived and support is being coordinated by a coast-to-coast network. This special immigration program is IRCC's priority and those who are arriving are Government Assisted Refugees (not Privately Sponsored Refugees).

Public Policy #2: This special humanitarian program will focus on the resettlement of Afghan refugees who are outside the country and who are from vulnerable groups including women leaders, human rights advocates, LGBTI individuals, journalists, and their immediate family members. This will be a long-term initiative expected to extend to December 2023. This special humanitarian program is still in development and we are awaiting details and planning to increase our capacity to respond.

It's true! The government of Canada can initiate a process to revoke PR Status for someone who:

a) does not fulfill their residency requirement (i.e. being physically present in Canada for 730 days every 5 years)

or, b) commits a serious crime.

And, for Permanent Residents who come to Canada as refugees, travelling back to their country of origin also puts their status in Canada at risk!

These are some of the many reasons Permanent Residents should apply for Canadian Citizenship as soon as they are eligible!

It's true! And, this is a major barrier for many. Other eligibility requirements include: