The Government of Canada is among the countries that have established a special and humanitarian refugee program for at-risk Afghans. This special refugee program, also known as Canada's Humanitarian Visa for Afghans or Afghan Refugee Program through the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), falls under the Government-Assisted Refugees (GAR) category. Through this program, Afghans can migrate to Canada, be resettled in the country, and ultimately obtain Canadian citizenship.
This article explores the conditions and procedures for obtaining a humanitarian visa through the government-assisted refugee program.
Who is Eligible for the Humanitarian Visa?
Eligible individuals include women leaders, human rights defenders, religious or ethnic minorities, LGBTQ+ individuals, journalists, and those who have assisted Canadian media and are now at risk or facing persecution due to recent political changes. A spouse or partner and dependent children under the age of 22 are also eligible for resettlement in Canada.
General Conditions for the Humanitarian Visa
To be eligible for this special program, applicants must be Afghan nationals, not have legal barriers to entering Canada, be admissible to Canada, possess the necessary documents for inclusion in one of the categories accepted under the Canadian humanitarian visa, and have left Afghanistan to be residing in another country. If these conditions are met, their humanitarian visa application for migration to Canada may be considered.
Government-Assisted Refugee Program
Under the government-assisted refugee program, Afghan nationals are resettled in Canada and receive government support for up to one year after their arrival. To be included in this program, individuals must be referred to the Canadian government through the following organizations:
Given the high level of need among Afghan human rights defenders, Front Line Defenders and Protect Defenders can only refer those facing severe risks. Individuals must actively promote and support human rights and face serious, direct threats to be considered for referral. Applicants should first register with one of these organizations as a person in need of protection and apply for migration to Canada. The Canadian government collaborates with these international and Canadian partners to implement the humanitarian program and facilitate the transfer of eligible Afghans to Canada.
Requesting Assistance from Organizations
- Front Line Defenders: Eligible human rights defenders can contact Front Line Defenders by visiting this link and filling out the relevant form. Contact information: Email: info@frontlinedefenders.org, Phone: +353-1-212-3750, Fax: +353-1-212-1001.
- Protect Defenders: Eligible human rights defenders can reach out to Protect Defenders by visiting this link and completing the necessary form. Contact information: Phone: +353-1-210-0489.
- UNHCR: Applying for refugee status through UNHCR is a common pathway for resettlement in Canada. UNHCR identifies individuals at risk who have registered in other countries. Generally, those who are at serious risk due to threats to their life, freedom, physical security, or other severe human rights violations in their home country are considered. UNHCR decides on international protection and resettlement without regard to nationality, ethnicity, political beliefs, religious beliefs, education, work experience, or language.
Applying for a Humanitarian Visa
Applicants cannot apply directly to this humanitarian program. Refugee applicants should first register with one of the mentioned organizations based on their circumstances and apply for migration to Canada. These organizations will determine if the individual qualifies for resettlement in Canada.
Canada typically provides limited resettlement opportunities or quotas to UNHCR and other organizations, meaning that not all refugees may be considered for resettlement to Canada. UNHCR and other organizations identify and interview potential candidates for resettlement to collect necessary information. They submit all applicant information, including their category under Canada's humanitarian program, to the Canadian government in a single application.
Application Review
The applicant's documents are reviewed by the Canadian government. The final decision on acceptance or rejection as a refugee for resettlement is made by the Refugee Protection Division or the Immigration and Refugee Board of Canada. If Canada approves the application, both UNHCR and the applicant will be notified.
UNHCR representatives assist with completing the necessary forms and throughout the resettlement process. The organization must have the applicant's contact details to proceed. Once Canada agrees to the refugee application, there are additional steps the applicant must complete before being granted a humanitarian visa.
What Happens After Approval?
Once the application is approved, the Canadian diplomatic mission or embassy will contact the applicant and inform them of the acceptance. Before a humanitarian visa is issued, the applicant must:
- Complete medical examinations and provide the required documentation.
- Undergo security and criminal background checks.
- Provide biometric information, including fingerprints and digital photographs.
After successfully completing these steps, the Canadian government will ensure that the applicant has not committed serious crimes, does not pose a security risk to Canada, and that their identity has not been falsified. At this point, the applicant is considered a refugee eligible for resettlement in Canada. Before arriving in Canada, applicants may receive a document to access health services in the country and may borrow money from the Canadian government to cover travel expenses, which they can repay once in Canada. The Canadian government helps applicants obtain the necessary documents for leaving their current country. In any case, individuals receive a permanent residence visa for Canada by presenting valid passports.
Migrating to Canada
Upon arrival in Canada, a Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officer will meet the refugees. At this stage, all travel documents, including passports and permanent residence visas, will be reviewed. The border officer will issue a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) to the refugees.
Canadian government representatives will greet the refugees at the airport and take them to temporary accommodation. They will help refugees find permanent housing. Once in Canada, services are available to assist with learning English and French, finding employment, and other daily activities. More information on these services can be found here. For details on resettlement services available in Canada, visit this link. Various non-governmental organizations across Canada work on resettlement programs and are supported or contracted by Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Government Support Includes:
Since government-assisted refugee status is based on the Geneva Convention, initial resettlement in Canada is fully supported by the Canadian government. Support can last up to one year from the date of arrival or until the refugee can become self-sufficient. This support includes housing, clothing, food, assistance with finding employment and self-sufficiency, and other resettlement aid. Additionally, resettled refugees are granted the right to work and study, access to healthcare, social services, and other necessary resources.
Permanent Residence in Canada
When the CBSA officer at the airport issues the Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR), it includes the refugee's address. The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will mail the Canadian permanent residence card to the refugee's address via postal services. If the refugee changes their address in the future, they must promptly notify IRCC of their new address.
How Long Does Resettlement Take?
Resettlement is considered a long-term solution for Canada and may eventually lead to citizenship. Due to high demand, the exact duration of processing and acceptance is uncertain and can take several years.
What If the Application is Rejected?
If an application for resettlement is not referred to Canada or if the applicant is deemed ineligible or not accepted as a refugee, UNHCR will continue to support and assist the applicant in terms of protection. If Canada does not approve the application, they will notify the applicant and provide reasons for the decision. The rejected applicant still has the opportunity to submit additional required documents to seek reconsideration of their application by the relevant authorities.
Assistance and Advice
For more information about Canada's humanitarian visa program for Afghans, visit this link. You can find the guidelines for the government-assisted resettlement program here. For information about Front Line Defenders, visit their website. For Protect Defenders, visit their website. For UNHCR, visit their website. To learn more about refugee claims in Canada, visit this link.
Ask for help from "Beporsed"
For those Afghans seeking specific information, "Beporsed" is here to help. You can reach our information center through WhatsApp (+93729807235), Facebook Messenger, or our website's Messenger to ask our online information desk officer for assistance.
For more information
For more information on immigration, resettlement, education and scholarship programs, and other opportunities available to Afghans worldwide, as well as details on the humanitarian services provided by international organizations in Afghanistan and procedures for obtaining civil documents from governmental institutions, please visit Beporsed's website and social media pages.
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