October 14, 2009

Who May Apply Under Special Immigration Measures for Typhoon Victims in the Philippines?


I've been receiving tons of questions about this Special Immigration Measures for Typhoon Victims in the Philippines. Some say that FSW applicants may also avail of this program according to what they hear from the brother of their neighbor's cousin from the Zimbabwe.

Here's what is written in the Canadian Visa Office Manila website:

Effective immediately, priority processing will be available to those who identify themselves as being directly and significantly affected by Typhoon Ketsana in the Philippines in the following categories:

  • New and existing sponsorship applications at the Case Processing Centre in Mississauga from Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have close family members directly affected by this disaster in the Philippines (specifically, spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children, parents, grandparents and orphaned family members within the meaning of the Family Class);

  • New and existing applications at the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville from protected persons including close family members directly affected by this disaster in the Philippines in their application (specifically, spouses, common-law and conjugal partners, dependent children);

  • New and existing applications for permanent residence in Canada in the Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada Class and the Permit Holder Class from persons who are including close family members* directly affected by this disaster in their application

  • Family members* of persons in the Live-in Caregivers Class (LC2), who are living in the affected area, where the primary applicant has submitted an application for permanent residence to the Case Processing Centre in Vegreville;

  • Family Class and LC2 applications from persons directly affected already in process at Manila; and

  • Temporary resident applications from persons directly affected in the Philippines.


  • * Family members as defined in part 1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

    More information here.