URGENT NEWS: Canadian Immigration Prioritizes Nepalese Applicants Affected by Earthquake
Priority processing available on request for Nepalese citizens with existing applications
OTTAWA – In response to the earthquake that devastated Nepal on April 25, 2015, Citizenship and Immigration minister Chris Alexander announced that the Canadian government is granting priority on request to in-progress applications from Nepalese citizens “significantly and personally affected” by the disaster. Canadian Immigration will also be flexible regarding requests from Nepalese nationals residing temporarily in Canada who need to extend their stay due to the situation in their home country.
To respond to requests for priority processing, Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has set up two special email addresses and a dedicated phone line.
Nepalese citizens outside Canada
If you are a Nepalese national currently living outside Canada with a Canadian immigration application in progress, you should email the following information to Delhi-immigration@international.gc.ca:
- Subject: “NEPAL EARTHQUAKE”
- Your given name and family name
- How the earthquake in Nepal has affected you
- The region in which you are currently located
- Birthdate
- Current valid passport number
- Application type (worker, student, visitor, permanent residence);
- Client ID
- File number
- Phone number (optional).
Nepalese citizens currently residing in Canada
If you are currently residing in Canada and have an existing immigration application, you should email Situation-Nepal@cic.gc.ca or reach CIC’s call centre at 1-888-242-2100 to give the following information:
- Given name and family name
- How the earthquake has affected you
- Your current location
- Birthdate
- Application type (worker, student, visitor, permanent residence)
- Client ID (optional)
- File number (optional)
- Phone number (optional)
New Canadian Immigration Applications
If you are a Nepalese citizen outside Canada and submitting a new application for immigration, you may email Delhi-immigration@international.gc.ca after completing your submission or making an Expression of Interest in immigrating. If submitting a paper application by mail, print “Urgent-Nepal Earthquake” on the envelope and ensure you’re your application includes information about how the earthquake has affected you. To help prepare your application or Expression of Interest, you may consult a qualified legal adviser at First Immigration Law Firm at 1-855-360-4333. .
If you are a Nepalese citizen residing in Canada who has already applied for immigration or made an Expression of Interest, you may email Situation-Nepal@cic.gc.ca to explain your circumstances.
With these measures, Citizenship and Immigration Canada has expressed its dedication to helping Nepalese immigrants seriously affected by the disaster in an efficient and compassionate manner.
To speak with a Canadian immigration lawyer contact First Immigration Law Firm toll-free @ 1-855-360-4333.