Backgrounder - Frequently Asked Questions: Special immigration measures for certain Afghan nationals

Please note that this special immigration program closed to applications on September 12, 2011

Q1.  Why has the Government of Canada introduced special immigration measures for local personnel in Kandahar who support Canada’s mission in Afghanistan?

There are Afghans who face extraordinary personal risk as a result of their work in support of Canada’s mission in Kandahar. Their lives and those of their families may be threatened by insurgents, and some have suffered serious injury and can no longer work.

To recognize their contribution, the Government of Canada is offering special consideration to certain local personnel if they wish to relocate to Canada.

Q2.  Who is eligible for this program?

To qualify, you must currently live in Afghanistan and:

• be a citizen of Afghanistan, and either
• face extraordinary and individualized risk, or
• have suffered a non-accidental or non-natural injury, resulting in risk to life or no longer being able to work, or
• be the spouse or common-law partner of local personnel who have suffered a non-accidental or non-natural death ( dependent children coming with you would also be eligible), and
• the risk, injury or death above must have happened due to employment or a contract in direct support of the Canadian government in Kandahar province.

Note: if you worked in direct support of the Canadian government in Kandahar province, you must have been employed or in a contract for at least 12 months in total since October 9, 2007.

Q3.  I am an Afghan national. How can I apply?

If you are eligible and interested in this program, you must complete a referral form. Contact information is available at Kandahar Air Field and at the Kandahar Provincial Reconstruction Team site.

When you hand in your referral form, you must provide all requested information and documents supporting your claim of risk, and confirm your employment or contract with the Government of Canada.

A committee of Government of Canada officials in Kandahar will assess if you are eligible for the program. If you are found eligible, you can then apply to Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

Q4.  How long will this process take?

It is expected that on average, it will take from six to 12 months to process applications.

Processing times may vary, as each case is different. It could take longer if, for example, medical problems are found or more documents are needed.

Q5.  Can I apply again if I was refused the first time?

A second application will only be considered if your situation changes.

Q6.   I work for the Government of Canada outside Kandahar province. Am I eligible?   

No. The special measures are restricted to local personnel working for the Canadian government in Kandahar province. This is because of clear risks in that region and the enhanced role of the Canadian mission in Kandahar.

Q7.  I am an Afghan national working for a Canadian company in Kandahar (such as a Canadian media outlet). Am I eligible?

The program will only be available to local personnel supporting Canada’s mission in Kandahar, and is limited to those employed or on a contract in direct support of the Canadian government. This includes only those Canadian government departments active in Kandahar province.

If you work for a private Canadian firm, non-governmental organization or the media, you are not eligible.

Q8. I am an Afghan national living outside Afghanistan. Am I eligible to apply for this program?

No, only Afghan nationals living in Afghanistan are eligible.

If you are outside Afghanistan, you may apply to immigrate to Canada through regular immigration channels, such as the economic or family classes.