e-4350 (Citizenship and immigration)

The Government of Canada understands the serious toll the earthquakes in Turkey and Syria have taken on those who live in the affected areas, and is committed to providing support in these difficult times.

Recently, Canada announced a number of special immigration measures to support Turkish and Syrian nationals. Turkish and Syrian nationals who are already in Canada to study, work, or visit family can apply to extend their status free of charge, or change their temporary status (for example, visitor to temporary worker). Additionally, recognizing that some Canadian citizens and permanent residents may have lost their travel documents in the earthquakes, the Government of Canada is waiving fees for temporary passports, emergency travel documents, Canadian citizenship certificates, and permanent resident travel documents, to make it easier for them to return to Canada. Turkish and Syrian national clients who have lost their passports in the earthquakes may also be exempted from the requirement to provide a passport or travel document to be approved for a permanent resident visa to come to Canada.

The Government of Canada is not, at this time, contemplating a public policy to grant permanent resident status to children. Presently, children are sponsored to immigrate to Canada by their parent in Canada or as accompanying dependents on a permanent resident application. The proposed public policy would require children to be the principal applicant in a permanent resident application, bringing their accompanying parent to Canada, which raises concerns about the best interest of a child (factors relating to a child’s emotional, social, cultural and physical welfare) in thecontext of having no ties to Canada. As an alternative, applications for permanent residence can be made under humanitarian and compassionate considerations, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

Canada has been prioritizing the processing of applications, including family reunification applications, for those that live in the affected regions. This prioritization includes overseas temporary and permanent residence applications from people of any nationality in the affected regions so that they could travel to, or join their loved ones in Canada as quickly as possible. This includes applications from family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as applications for refugee resettlement. A variety of Canadian immigration programs continue to be available for people who qualify, including the family sponsorship program. Canada has a generous family reunification program that allows for the sponsorship of spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, parents, grandparents, dependent children including adopted children, or orphaned relatives under the age of 18. To further help facilitate family reunification, Canada also offers parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens and permanent residents the ability to apply for the Parents and Grandparents Super Visa, which is valid for up to 10 years and allows extended stays of up to five years at a time.

Taken together, these measures provide support and relief to Turkish and Syrian nationals during this difficult time.