The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) visited Alberta on March 18 and announced over 1,600 Afghan newcomers have settled in Alberta between August 2021 and February 2022, and Canada has welcomed over 9,400 Afghan refugees, with more arriving every week. Canada is working to resettle at least 40,000 Afghan nationals as quickly and safely as possible.
"The majority of them are well-educated and speak English," said Edmonton settlement counsellor Hellay Naikyar. Canada is one of the few countries in the world with a dedicated, permanent immigration program for those who protect and promote human rights.
Canada is committed to providing safe passage and refugee protections for vulnerable Afghanis. Canada has implemented "special immigration measures" to expedite evacuation from Afghanistan including:
- waived passports
- waived covid tests
- moving biometric screening to a third country
“I would like to thank Albertans for their warm welcome and for the opportunity to hear the joys and challenges of the incredible work that communities and businesses are doing to support newcomers to Canada. I was especially happy to have met Afghan newcomers in person and welcome them home, and I was inspired by the stories of how they overcame so many obstacles and are now building a new life in Canada.”
– The Honourable Sean Fraser,
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
Unvaccinated or partially vaccinated Afghanistan nationals (or those with vaccinations not recognized by Canada) may be exempt from current entry requirements and can still enter Canada but will need to follow all other public health requirements including quarantine and testing.
Canada's Economy Needs Immigrants
Canada's 2022-24 Immigration Levels Plan includes welcoming 431,645 permanent residents in 2022. Over 9 million Canadians will reach retirement age in the next decade. Canada's ageing workforce and need for skilled talent mean that by 2031 immigration is expected to account for 80% of Canada’s population growth, up from the current 75%.
Alberta recently launched two new rural immigration streams to drive economic growth in the province's smaller towns and communities, the Rural Renewal Stream and the Rural Entrepreneur Stream. Alberta continues to be the top choice for immigrants who move to Canada.
Are You An Afghan Who Needs Canada Immigration Assistance?
An experienced Canadian immigration lawyer can help Afghans already in Canada and those outside of Canada including extending their temporary resident status, family reunification, temporary work permits or study visas.
Ackah Business Immigration Law is headquartered in Calgary with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452‑9515 or email us directly at contact@ackahlaw.com.
