Dateline: 01/18/10
Canada Speeds Immigration for Haitians After Earthquake
In the wake of the disastrous earthquake in Haiti, the Canadian federal government has announced that it is trying to speed up immigration applications from Haitians who have been directly and significantly impacted by the earthquake.
Initially, it will be difficult to handle new immigration applications from those Haitians still in Haiti, as the Canadian Embassy in Port-au-Prince suffered serious damage in the earthquake, and its services are currently limited to providing emergency assistance to Canadians in need. The government is planning to resume visa and immigration services as soon as possible in Port-au-Prince and is planning to open another office. More information will be made available as services resume.
There are however, many Haitians whose applications are already in process, including family sponsorships and adoptions, and many who are already on Canadian soil, under a variety of temporary visas and permits. That is where the initial emphasis will be placed.
Priority will be given to both new and existing sponsorship applications from Canadian citizens, permanent residents and protected persons who have close family members in Haiti. They must identify themselves as being directly and significantly affected by the current situation and notify Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). Adoption cases currently pending with the visa office in Port-au-Prince will also be given consideration on a priority basis.
Sponsorship Applications
To identify that they are directly and significantly affected by the Haiti earthquake
- New sponsorship applicants should write HAITI prominently on the envelope. For details on how to sponsor a family member, see Sponsoring Your Family.
- Sponsors and applicants in Canada with current applications should notify the CIC Call Centre at 1-888-242-2100 (in Canada only, from 7 am to 7 pm ET Monday through Friday) or by email at question-Haiti@cic.gc.ca to identify their existing applications, if they or the family they have sponsored have been adversely affected.
Temporary Residents Extending Stay in Canada
Special immigration measures are also being put in place for Haitian nationals who are currently in Canada. Temporary residents who are already in Canada may apply to extend their temporary status according to normal procedures.
For information on the procedures for extending your stay in Canada, see
These applications will be considered on an expedited basis and fees associated with these applications will be waived. Those who are unable to support themselves may also apply for a temporary work permit.
Haitians Outside Haiti
Haitians outside of Haiti who are seeking a temporary resident visa may apply to any Canadian visa office.
Deportation Orders Temporarily Suspended
Although Canada only rarely deports people to Haiti, all removals to Haiti have been temporarily stopped.
Further Information
If you have questions about Canada's special immigration measures in response to the earthquake in Haiti, please read the frequently asked questions provided by Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
