CIC is fast-tracking existing applications of Family Class applicants under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act who have been and continue to be seriously and personally affected by the disaster and who have immediate family members in Canada.
Priority is being given to spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners and dependent children. New applications under the Family Class will be dealt with as expeditiously as possible. The department will also be considering, on a case-by-case basis, other close family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have been and continue to be seriously and personally affected by the disaster. All medical and security requirements will be respected.
CIC will also be waiving new application processing fees and the Right of Permanent Resident fee for persons who have been and continue to be seriously and personally affected by the disaster.
CIC will also put in place a special email account tsunami@cic.gc.ca and toll-free telephone number to respond to questions on the immigration measures announced to help Canadian citizens and permanent residents in the wake of the disaster.
Canadians with good reason to believe that Canadian friends or relatives are in the affected areas can contact Foreign Affairs Canada’s Emergency Operations Centre at 1-800-606-5499. To get more information on how to help, please visit the Foreign Affairs Canada Web site www.fac.gc.ca.