Question Period Note: Afghanistan

Canada has now welcomed more than 59,000 Afghans under the Afghan Resettlement Initiative (ARI). Exceptional measures and funding ended March 31, 2025.

• As part of the Afghan Resettlement initiative, one of the largest in the world, IRCC developed several special programs and measures that reflected Canada’s long and enduring relationship with Afghans, and to protect some of the most vulnerable people in Afghanistan.
• To date Canada has welcomed over 59,000 Afghans since the fall of Kabul in August 2021.
• We continue to process applications submitted under these programs and measures on a priority basis.
If pressed on litigation:
• We cannot comment on specific cases that are before the courts.
• When responding to international crises, Canada tailors each response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support.

Afghanistan Commitment

• Canada’s commitment was one of the largest on a per capita basis in the world; second only to the U.S. in overall numbers.
• The Afghan Resettlement Initiative (ARI) streams included: (1) Special Immigration Measures (SIM) for Afghan nationals who supported the Government of Canada; (2) the family-based pathways for extended family members of former Afghan interpreters and for Language and Cultural Advisors; and (3) the humanitarian program for other vulnerable groups (e.g., women leaders and religious and ethnic minorities)

Temporary accommodations in Pakistan

• Time-limited, exceptional supports for Afghans in Pakistan, including IRCC-funded temporary accommodations, ended as of June 30, 2024.

Letters
• In August 2021, when the Taliban took control, they set up checkpoints that made passage to the airport extremely difficult. The Government of Canada sent letters directly to Afghan nationals who were eligible to come to Canada to help them clear checkpoints on the way to and at the airport in Kabul.

• IRCC contacted applicants directly about the purpose of this letter and next steps regarding the evacuation and their applications.

• The letters were not Canadian visas or confirmations of approved applications, but intended to assist them in getting through checkpoints on the way to the airport and to help them gain entry to the airport in Kabul.

• We are ensuring that Afghans welcomed to Canada receive effective settlement services to support integration into their new communities.
• Many of the special programs and measures under the Afghan Resettlement Initiative have received enough applications to fill all available spaces or have otherwise expired.

• Afghans who were not part of the special measures may be eligible for regular immigration programs, including economic, family reunification, and refugee resettlement programs.

Situation in Pakistan
• The Government of Canada is actively engaging with the Government of Pakistan on the resettlement of Afghans. We continue to express concerns regarding Pakistan’s ongoing Repatriation Plan.
• IRCC is in touch with applicants. Clients facing detention in Pakistan can use any IRCC communications related to their application to demonstrate to the Government of Pakistan that they have an application in process.
• Time-limited, exceptional supports for Afghans, including IRCC-funded temporary accommodations in Pakistan, have ended and are now aligned with regular resettlement programming.
• All applicants must meet eligibility and admissibility requirements before their applications can be finalized. IRCC continues to explore options for biometrics collection in the region.