Canada to open new permanent residence pathway for Colombians, Haitians, Venezuelans

Canada is set to open a new permanent residence pathway, welcoming up to 11,000 Colombians, Haitians, and Venezuelans, Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada Minister Marc Miller announced on Oct. 10.

Starting this fall, individuals from Colombia, Haiti, and Venezuela residing in Central or South America or the Caribbean can apply if they have close family ties in Canada, the CIC News reported.

Eligible family connections include children, grandchildren, spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, or siblings of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.

Humanitarian effort

Successful applicants will receive pre-arrival services, such as employment skills assessment and referrals to settlement provider organizations in their intended Canadian communities. More specific information about the application process will be provided by IRCC closer to the launch of the pathway.

Earlier this year, IRCC pledged to welcome 15,000 migrants from the Western Hemisphere as part of a broader humanitarian effort. The aim is to provide legal routes to economic opportunities and reduce irregular migration.

As part of this initiative, IRCC will establish regular migration channels for individuals in the Americas, providing permanent resident humanitarian and economic pathways, as well as temporary work programs.

The latest announcement is a part of Canada’s commitment to welcoming these migrants. 

Additionally, Canada is welcoming 4,000 temporary foreign workers, with many already in the country. 

Investment commitment

IRCC is also collaborating with non-governmental organizations to support the Economic Mobility Pathways Pilot, assisting skilled refugees and displaced individuals in immigrating to Canada.

IRCC’s commitment extends to investments in projects in Latin America and the Caribbean. 

In a statement, Miller said that they are investing $75 million over six years in projects that strengthen asylum capacity and better integrate migrants and refugees into local communities and labor markets.

 “This support will help countries, including those that refugees and migrants are coming from, travelling through, or are being hosted in, address the challenges of irregular migration while also improving the quality of life for migrants and refugees,” the minister said.