declares new PR program for families of air disaster victims

The Canadian immigration minister has announced a new Permanent Residence immigration pathway for families of air disaster victims.

Canada will allow the family members of the victims of the following air disasters to apply for permanent residence:

Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302

Ukrainian International Airlines Flight 752

Currently, the new immigration program is only for those family members who are living in Canada. However, IRCC is in the process of working towards making this new measure available for some family members who are outside Canada. The department will issue a notification once the new pathway becomes available to family members staying outside Canada. This new immigration pathway will remain active until May 11, 2022. So, family members have a year to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence through the new pathway. All the essentials for a general PR application process will be required for this pathway such as fees, biometrics, and other admissibility conditions. Applicants will be eligible to apply even if they have lost their temporary resident status. The Immigration department of Canada is extending the temporary residence policy for family members of people who were victims in the Ukraine International Airlines Flight in January 2020. So, people who received the temporary resident visa but could not travel will be able to come to Canada now. And those who traveled to Canada and are staying in the country can apply for permanent residence through the new pathway. The Government of Canada believes that the families of the victims in both air disasters – Ukraine International Airlines and Ethiopian Airlines need support. Therefore, the new pathway will provide them an opportunity to secure Canadian Permanent Residence and start their new life in Canada.