Maple News reports that Canada has unveiled enhanced immigration assistance measures for Lebanese nationals affected by the devastating explosion in Beirut last month. The new support was confirmed on September 3, following the earlier establishment of a dedicated immigration task force by the Canadian government to address the crisis.
As part of these emergency protocols, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is prioritizing the processing of travel documents for Canadian citizens and permanent residents currently in Lebanon. In addition, the government will waive certain immigration-related fees to streamline the return process for those impacted.
IRCC is also accelerating visitor visa applications for immediate family members—spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, parents, and step-parents—of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who were directly affected by the Beirut explosion. This aims to reunite families during a difficult time and ease the emotional and logistical burden of displacement.
To qualify for assistance, individuals must apply between September 3, 2020, and January 31, 2021. Applicants must provide proof that they were residing in an affected area at the time of the disaster and show evidence of direct impact, such as medical documentation or a residential address near the explosion site.
IRCC recommends that eligible individuals review the criteria on its official website and submit inquiries to its dedicated Lebanon crisis email. The agency aims to respond to queries within five business days.
Beyond emergency relief, Lebanese citizens interested in permanently immigrating to Canada as skilled workers have access to over 100 immigration options. The most popular pathway is Canada’s Express Entry system, which ranks eligible candidates based on factors like education, work experience, and language proficiency.
Despite global travel disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Canada continues to welcome new residents. This year alone, nearly 70,000 immigration candidates have received invitations to apply for permanent residency through Express Entry. Notably, a recent draw saw 4,200 candidates invited in a single round.
Canada is already home to a significant Lebanese community, estimated between 200,000 to 400,000 individuals. Approximately 1,800 Lebanese immigrants arrive in the country each year, underscoring strong diasporic ties between the two nations.
According to Maple News, these humanitarian and long-term immigration initiatives reaffirm Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting communities impacted by crises while maintaining its position as one of the world’s most welcoming countries for immigrants.