The application process for extended families of former Afghan language and cultural advisors is now open
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has opened the application process to the extended family members of former language and cultural advisors (LCAs) who supported the Government of Canada during its mission in Afghanistan, between 2001 and 2021. There is a risk of the Taliban targeting their extended family due to LACs working with the National Defence in Afghanistan (DND).
To apply under the new temporary public policy, the former language and cultural advisors:
- must currently live in Canada and provide a declaration confirming their residence as part of the application process,
- must show employment by the National Defence in Afghanistan between 2001 and 2021.
In addition, applicants must meet all eligibility criteria under the public policy as well as security, criminality and medical admissibility requirements.
“The Government of Canada remains committed to resettling at least 40,000 vulnerable Afghans by the end of 2023.”
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada
Table of contents
Eligibility criteria
Extended family members of Afghan LCAs will be eligible for immigration into Canada if they:
- are an Afghan national;
- are staying outside of Canada at the time of the application;
- were in Afghanistan on or after July 22, 2021;
- are a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident whose employment as an LCA in Afghanistan for DND between 2001 and 2021 has been confirmed by DND;
- can provide a statutory declaration from the former LCA to confirm their relationship;
- can also provide a statutory declaration that the LCA lives in Canada;
- hold a travel or identity document (if not, they can provide a statutory declaration attesting to the applicant’s identity); and,
- filled out the online forms for entry.
Of course, these are some general requirements. You can find additional information regarding the process on the IRCC website.
Public policy considerations
The temporary public policy took effect at the beginning of this month, March 2023. However, it may be revoked at any time. Moreover, this public policy outlines that:
- acceptance of applications will cease after 6 months, or
- after applications for 380 principal applicants are accepted into processing, whichever is earlier.
Please note that IRCC will only accept complete applications. “For greater certainty, submission of an enquiry, or an incomplete application, is not sufficient to ensure that you are counted as one of the 380 principal applicants,” said IRCC.
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