New humanitarian pathway for Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan foreign nationals launches today

Canada has announced today that they will be providing an alternative to irregular migration by welcoming 15,000 people through a family-based humanitarian pathway in addition to existing programs.

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The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced that the dedicated humanitarian pathway will provide permanent residence to Colombian, Haitian and Venezuelan foreign nationals. The pathway is now open for applications.

“Providing safe, legal pathways for displaced people to start new lives in Canada not only delivers on that commitment, but also strengthens our country through the profound contributions newcomers make in their communities, including growing our economy and filling labour market gaps,” said the Honourable Marc Miller.

To qualify for the pathway, the principal applicant must be a child (regardless of age), grandchild, spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who agrees to support them and their family members as an anchor for one year.

To apply, you must submit your application using the online IRCC portal. You will also need to provide a signed statutory declaration from your anchor confirming that they are willing to support you in Canada. You must also plan to live outside Quebec to be eligible to apply, as Quebec has chosen not to participate in the program.

Those coming to Canada through this new pathway will receive pre-arrival services, including employment sills assessment and a referral to a settlement service provider organization in their community. They may also be eligible for transitional financial assistance from the Resettlement Assistance Program.

How Canada is already welcoming people from the Americas

Canada is already bringing in an additional 4,000 people through Canada’s existing temporary worker programs, including the Seasonal Agricultural Worker Program.

In addition, the country is leveraging the existing refugee labour mobility pathway, the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot.

These measures are meant to alleviate migration pressures in the Western Hemisphere. The new humanitarian pathway provides an alternative to irregular migration for some of those who are displaced due to political, social and economic instability.

In addition to the new pathway, Canada is increasing its assistance for capacity-building efforts in the region by investing $75 million over six years for projects across Latin America and the Caribbean. These projects will strengthen asylum capacity and better integrating migrants and refugees into local communities and labour markets.

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