Special Canada immigration measures are being introduced to help Lebanese citizens and Canadians impacted by the two explosions that rocked Beirut and left hundreds of thousands homeless.<\/p>\n
\u201cLebanese citizens in Canada on a temporary basis are \u2026 able to extend their stay in Canada if they are unable to return home because of the explosion,\u201d said Immigration Minister Fran\u00e7ois-Philippe Champagne in a statement.<\/p>\n
\u201cCanada will waive the cost of documents related to renewing their status for them as well as for Canadians and permanent residents in Lebanon who need to come home.\u201d<\/p>\n
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Where Have Canada\u2019s New Immigrants Come From So Far In 2020?<\/a><\/span> Champagne is also Canada\u2019s minister of foreign affairs and has pledged to ensure all Canadians and their families get the help they need from the Canadian consulate.<\/p>\n \u201cCanada is setting up a task force on Lebanon to support the delivery of consular services, and to ensure that questions related to immigration can be quickly addressed,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Canadian immigration officials say Canadians and permanent residents in Lebanon have the right to return to Canada, subject to public health measures in place to prevent the spread of Covid-19.<\/p>\n Immediate family exemptions for foreign nationals related to Canadian citizens and permanent residents are in place at the border. Those family exemptions are subject to the new arrivals having valid temporary resident visas, agreeing to a two-week mandatory quarantine, and coming for visits of not less than 15 days.<\/p>\n International students from Lebanon are able to travel to Canada provided they had a valid study permit issued before March 18.<\/p>\n Although Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is facing a backlog of applications due to the global pandemic, it is prioritizing applications for Canadians and permanent residents returning to the country, vulnerable groups and people who perform essential services.<\/p>\n The federal government\u2019s latest move to help Canadians and Lebanese affected by the explosions in Beirut with immigration services is in addition to its pledge of up to $30 million in humanitarian and development assistance for Lebanon.<\/p>\n \u201cThis funding will help trusted partners like the Red Cross and the Humanitarian Coalition to address immediate humanitarian needs and support early recovery efforts,\u201d said Champagne.<\/p>\n \u201cThe people-to-people ties between Canada and Lebanon are strong,\u201d he said. \u201cCanada will continue to monitor the situation closely to ensure that survivors of the recent tragedy receive the help they need. We remain engaged and stand ready to assist however we can.\u201d<\/p>\n
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