Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has officially activated a new humanitarian permanent residence (PR) pathway, aimed at supporting Colombian, Haitian, and Venezuelan nationals with close family connections in Canada. This initiative, first announced in October 2023, is part of Canada’s broader strategy to offer humanitarian support and address migration challenges in the Americas.
The pathway is open to individuals from the three eligible countries who are currently located in Central America, South America, the Caribbean, or Mexico. To qualify, applicants must be related to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident—referred to by IRCC as an “anchor”—in one of the following capacities: spouse or common-law partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling.
A total of 3,500 principal applicants will be accepted under this public policy, but Canada expects over 11,000 individuals, including accompanying family members, to benefit. The program will remain open for one year from its start date of November 17, 2023, or until the cap is reached, whichever comes first.
Applicants approved through this special stream will be granted access to pre-arrival and post-arrival settlement support, including resettlement assistance and transportation loans to offset travel costs—a critical component for many families seeking safe resettlement opportunities in Canada.
To be eligible, the principal applicant must demonstrate direct family ties to their anchor, submit their PR application digitally or via an alternate approved method, and express intent to settle in any Canadian province or territory except Quebec. Documentation proving nationality and identity, as required by Canadian immigration regulations, must also be submitted.
Importantly, anchors must commit to providing one year of settlement support without receiving any financial compensation from their relatives. They must sign a statutory declaration affirming this commitment. Acceptable proof of Canadian status for anchors includes a Canadian passport, citizenship certificate, PR card, or a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR).
Family members of the principal applicant may also be included in the application, provided they meet IRCC’s legal definition of family and are not otherwise inadmissible to Canada, except on financial grounds. Like principal applicants, they must plan to live outside Quebec and submit proper identity documentation.
If the application is successful, IRCC will complete all necessary background checks and issue a Permanent Residence visa and COPR. Applicants with multiple active PR applications will have them processed concurrently, ensuring final decisions are coordinated efficiently.
This new initiative marks another step in Canada’s ongoing leadership in humanitarian immigration, reinforcing the nation’s commitment to supporting vulnerable populations while strengthening family reunification pathways.