Afghan Resettlement Programs and Support

As much of the world watches in disbelief, we too are deeply concerned by the heartbreaking news coming out of Afghanistan.

The Government of Canada continues to offer support to vulnerable Afghans. Canada’s special immigration programs have already brought so many Afghans to Canada, and Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship have further announced the resettlement of 20,000 more vulnerable Afghans threatened by the Taliban and forced to flee the country.

For more information on the available programs, visit Supporting Afghan Nationals: How the special programs work

Efforts are expected to continue, but the following is available to those impacted by the deteriorating situation:

SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR AFGHANS WHO ASSISTED CANADA

You do not need to be in Afghanistan to apply for this program. If you or your family members left Afghanistan on or after July 22, 2021, you may still apply if invited to do so. Your application will still be processed under the Government-Assisted Refugees program. You do not need to return to Afghanistan to finalize your application or to provide biometrics or medical exams.

Eligibility

The eligibility for this program was recently updated, and you can apply if you meet all of the following requirements:

• You’re an Afghan national, and your employment involved a significant and/or enduring relationship with the Government of Canada; this can include but is not limited to:

  • Interpreters who worked with the Canadian Armed Forces

  • Local staff who currently or used to work at the Embassy of Canada in Afghanistan

• You and your family members were in Afghanistan on or after July 22, 2021 (the date the program started)

• You are not inadmissible

In order to be an eligible family member under this program, you must be:

• a spouse or common-law partner

• a dependent child who is under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship

• a dependent child of a dependent child (a grandchild) who is under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship

• A De facto dependant, who:

  • depends on a specific family for emotional or financial reasons (or both)

  • may live with the family as a member of their household

How to apply

Email Canada-Afghanistan@international.gc.ca with the following information:

• your full name (include any nicknames you may have had)

• your date of birth

• your email address

• your phone number

• a description of your work with the Government of Canada or the Canadian Armed Forces in Afghanistan, including

  • your job title or position

  • your identification number, if you had one

  • the name(s) of your Canadian point(s) of contact (if possible)

Documents to include

• You must include copies of your passports for yourself and each family member traveling with you. If you or your family members don’t have a passport and are still in Afghanistan, you should apply for one as soon as possible. This will allow you to travel if you’re approved to come to Canada.

• Attach any documents you have that show you worked with the Government of Canada. If you worked with the Canadian Armed Forces as part of its operations in Afghanistan, your information will be forwarded to National Defence.

SPECIAL PROGRAM FOR VULNERABLE AFGHANS

IRCC announced a new special program that would focus on vulnerable Afghan nationals. This includes:

• Women leaders

• Human rights advocates

• Journalists and those who assisted Canadian journalists

• Persecuted religious minorities

• LGBTI individuals

• Immediate family member of individuals currently in Canada

• Extended family members of previously resettled interpreters

 The program will welcome government-assisted and privately sponsored refugees, along with those sponsored or listed on an application of a family member already in Canada.

More details are expected and will be shared as soon as they are available. We will update this page and our social media as soon as more information is released.

 CANADIAN CITIZENS AND PERMANENT RESIDENTS IN AFGHANISTAN

If you are a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and require a travel document, email IRCC at IRCC.SituationAfghanistan.IRCC@cic.gc.ca.

Canadians are encouraged to register with the Registration of Canadians Abroad service and provide as much information as possible. Closely monitor your email. Canada’s ability to provide consular services to Canadians in Afghanistan is now extremely limited, with diplomatic operations in Kabul temporarily suspended.