n response to the recent conflict in Lebanon, Citizenship and Immigration Canada introduced new measures to help reunite families who were affected. According to Immigration Minister Monty Solberg, CIC has been giving "priority visa and immigration services to family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents to help them join their relatives in Canada." This essentially involves the expediting of sponsorship applications under the family class for those directly affected by the conflict in Lebanon. However, the process will still take time, as all requirements must still be met including security and medical criteria.
Sympathetic consideration is also being given to applications from visitors, students and temporary workers from Lebanon seeking to extend their stay in Canada.
It is important to note that the majority of the people displaced by the current conflict are displaced within Lebanon and, as such, are considered internally displaced persons. Such persons are not considered to be refugees, and as such CIC is generally not considering refugee applications from Lebanon, especially given the current ceasefire.
CIC has also sent 34 additional officers, doctors, and support staff to help with consular, visa, and medical services in the region.
Since the ceasefire was implemented August 14th, 2006, CIC’s visa office in Beirut is gradually resuming normal operations. Visa offices in Damascus and Amman are continuing to assist the Beirut office to expedite temporary resident visa applications for residents of Lebanon until further notice.
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