Once again, Canada is offering the Lebanese people a helping hand as they endure the harrowing aftermath of the devastating August 4th Beirut explosion.
This time, the support comes in the field of immigration, which became all the more popular in Lebanon in the wake of the countless crises that have been challenging its citizens since the last quarter of 2019.
Today, Canada is launching an immigration task force in light of the catastrophe that struck Lebanon last week.
The task force, as explained by Minister of Immigration Marco Mendicino and Foreign Minister François-Philippe Champagne, will assist those affected by last week’s tragic event.
The objectives of the task force will include supporting the delivery of consular services and ensuring that “questions related to immigration can be quickly addressed,” the two officials said in a statement.
Moreover, in light of the emergency in Beirut, the Canadian government will be allowing Lebanese citizens who are temporarily in Canada to extend their stay if they are unable to return to Lebanon due to the explosion.
Furthermore, state-document renewal fees will be exceptionally lifted for Lebanese citizens staying temporarily in Canada and want to return home, likewise for Canadians and permanent residents currently present in Lebanon.
The above is also applicable to family members of non-Canadian nationals who are related to Canadian citizens and permanent residents, so long as the coronavirus (COVID-19) preventive measures are properly followed in all cases.
For a person to be eligible for the exemption, they must hold a valid temporary resident visa. They will additionally be subject to a mandatory two-week quarantine and a minimum 15-day visitor stay in Canada.
In the case of international students coming from Lebanon, they can travel to Canada as long as they possess a valid study permit issued before March 18th, 2020.
Since the Beirut Port explosion, Canada has pledged $30 million in relief and offered to match every donation made by a Canadian to its Humanitarian Coalition, which has raised over $4 million in donations in a few days.
