Canada Family Immigration: Colombians, Haitians, Venezuelans
Jean, a 50-year-old man from Haiti, faced a pivotal moment. Desiring a safer future, he found hope in a new Canadian policy. Of course, this policy aids Haitian, Colombian, and Venezuelan nationals with family in Canada. Jean’s brother, living in Canada, could be his support or “anchor.” Seeing a chance to rebuild his life, Jean was hopeful. With his brother’s help, he began exploring this new opportunity.
Table of contents
Introducing this policy
This Canadian immigration policy offers a distinctive pathway for Haitian, Colombian, and Venezuelan nationals with family connections in Canada. However, to qualify, individuals must have a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as a family member ready to support them as an “anchor.” Moreover, the policy enables these nationals to seek permanent residency in Canada, provided they fulfill specific criteria. Of course, the anchor’s role is vital in this process, as they are responsible for aiding the applicant in settling in Canada. This includes addressing basic needs and facilitating their integration into Canadian society. This initiative provides a structured approach to family reunification, explicitly targeting these three countries’ nationals.
Who is the eligible “anchor”?
An “anchor” in the context of this Canadian immigration policy is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who supports a relative’s application to immigrate. However, to be eligible as an anchor, one must:
- Be at least 18 years old and reside in Canada, outside Quebec.
- Not be under a removal order.
- Not be incarcerated.
- Not have recent convictions for serious offences in Canada or equivalent offences abroad.
- Be current on all sponsorship and court-ordered support payments.
- Not owe significant debts to the Canadian government.
- Not be an undischarged bankrupt.
- Not receive social assistance, except for disability reasons.
- Not accept financial compensation from the applicant or their family members for the support provided.
What are the responsibilities of the anchor?
An anchor’s responsibilities in this Canadian immigration policy include:
- Welcoming and Meeting Basic Needs: Assisting the applicant and their family upon arrival, including airport pick-up, finding accommodation, and ensuring access to food, clothing, and other essentials.
- Facilitating Integration: Introducing them to Canadian life, including public transportation, banking, and shopping, and understanding their rights and responsibilities.
- Accessing Services: Helping the applicant set up essential services, such as opening a bank account, enrolling in provincial and federal programs, obtaining a Social Insurance Number, and arranging health care coverage.
- Medical and Educational Support: Assisting in finding medical professionals and enrolling children in school.
- Employment and Language Training: Guiding them towards employment-related services and language training, if necessary.
Eligibility criteria for the applicant
The eligibility criteria for applicants under this policy are as follows. Consequently, you may only apply if you meet all the requirements.
- Be a Colombian, Haitian, or Venezuelan national.
- Currently reside in Mexico, Central or South America, or the Caribbean (excluding Canada and other regions).
- Be a spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident willing and eligible to support their application as an “anchor.”
- Plan to live outside Quebec.
- Have a valid passport or eligible travel or identity document.
Immediate family members (dependent child under 22, spouse, or common-law partner) may be included in the application. However, individuals in Canada or elsewhere outside the specified regions do not qualify under this policy.
How to apply?
To apply under this policy, applicants must:
- Submit their application through the online IRCC portal.
- Provide a signed statutory declaration from their anchor confirming their willingness to support the applicant in Canada.
Required documents include:
- Online forms: Generic Application Form for Canada, Additional Family Information, and Schedule A – Background/Declaration.
- Uploaded documents: Schedule 1: Declaration, Statutory Declaration for the anchor, Use of a Representative form (if using a representative), Authority to Release Personal Information, proof of relationship, proof of status, identity and civil status documents, police certificates, travel documents and passports, and recent photos for all family members.
- Note that forms are available in English and French.
About the fees
Approved applications are exempt from the usual government fees. Moreover, they could qualify for the following:
- As mentioned above, being waived the Right of Permanent Residence Fee, all application fees and biometric fees.
- IRCC could cover pre-departure medical services to help protect their health and safe travel to Canada
- The government gives them the equivalent of three months of financial assistance once in Canada to help them settle.
- They offer the applicants free settlement services, before and after they arrive, to help them join Canadian society and the labour force.
Let us help!
If you are a qualifying anchor or applicant, please book a consultation to explore your options. If you are facing immigration issues, please fill out the following form.
Would you please fill out our free assessment form if you wish to visit or move to Canada? We will review it for free, but we will contact you only if we find an opportunity for you. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session. Consultation sessions are not free, but you will receive formal immigration advice from a licensed practitioner.
Al ParsaiAl Parsai, LLM, MA, RCIC-IRB
Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant
Adjunct Professor – Queen’s University – Faculty of Law
Ashton College Instructor – Immigration Consulting
Author – 88 Tips on Immigration to Canada
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