Maple News reports that Canada has introduced a new permanent residence (PR) pathway for certain family members of victims of two major air disasters with ties to Canada. The public policy, announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino on May 12, is designed to support the grieving families of those lost in the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 tragedies.
This immigration initiative allows eligible family members already residing in Canada to apply for permanent residence. The new policy will remain in effect until May 11, 2022. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), efforts are also underway to develop new measures for family members living outside Canada. Further announcements are expected in the near future.
Importantly, the policy retains all standard immigration requirements, including fees, biometrics, and admissibility checks. However, individuals who have fallen out of legal immigration status in Canada may still apply, offering critical relief to families struggling with status-related uncertainties in the wake of personal tragedy.
In addition, IRCC is extending its previous public policy linked to the January 2020 downing of Ukrainian Flight 752. Those who received temporary resident visas after the disaster but did not travel may still enter Canada. Those who did travel and are currently in Canada under temporary resident status are eligible to apply for permanent residence and can extend their temporary status while their PR application is being processed.
The announcement comes in response to two devastating aviation disasters. On March 10, 2019, Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 crashed shortly after takeoff from Addis Ababa, killing 157, including 18 Canadians and numerous others with Canadian connections. Less than a year later, on January 8, 2020, Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 was tragically shot down by a surface-to-air missile in Tehran, Iran, extinguishing 176 lives—138 of whom had ties to Canada.
“All Canadians mourned the loss of those who died in these tragedies,” said Minister Mendicino. “At the heart of these events are families struggling with unimaginable grief. This new permanent residence pathway is one way we’re standing with them, supporting their healing, and inviting them to build their future here in Canada.”
This move underscores Canada’s commitment to humanitarian immigration efforts and reflects a broader policy shift toward empathetic, people-first solutions during times of international crisis.
Maple News will continue to monitor developments as IRCC releases additional details on support for families residing outside Canada.