The Government of Canada has unveiled additional immigration measures to help Lebanese nationals.
Canada has unveiled additional immigration support to Lebanese nationals following last month’s tragic explosion in Beirut.
The supports were announced on September 3rd, several weeks after Canada established an immigration task force in support of Lebanese individuals impacted by the explosion.
The Canadian government will prioritize travel documents for Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Lebanon, as well as waive some fees in order to help such individuals return to Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is also prioritizing visitor visa applications for the immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents that were personally impacted by the Beirut explosion. Immediate family members include:
- Spouses
- Common-law partners
- Dependent children
- Parents or step-parents
IRCC invites individuals in need of assistance to read its dedicated webpage to find out if they are eligible for the special measures Canada has put in place. After reading the webpage, IRCC states that individuals can send their questions to IRCC.SituationLebanon-SituationLiban.IRCC@cic.gc.ca. It will aim to respond to questions within five business days.
How to qualify for assistance
To qualify for assistance, individuals must:
- Submit an application between September 3rd, 2020 and January 31, 2021;
- Follow the instructions listed on IRCC’s webpage;
- Have lived in an affected area at the time of the explosion if you are applying as an immediate family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident; and
- Include proof that you were personally impacted by the explosion. Types of proof can include documentation listing your residential address or copy of medical or legal documentation.
Options if you want to immigrate to Canada as a Lebanese skilled worker
If you are a Lebanese citizen who wishes to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker, there are over 100 different pathways available to you.
There are an estimated 200,000 to 400,000 Lebanese individuals in Canada and around 1,800 Lebanese immigrate to Canada annually.
The main way to immigrate to Canada as a skilled worker is through the Express Entry system. Canada held an Express Entry draw earlier this week inviting 4,200 successful immigration candidates to apply for permanent residence. Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Canada has invited almost 70,000 immigration candidates this year.
The first step to being considered for permanent residence under Express Entry is by seeing if you are eligible for it.