In response to the recent disaster in Haiti, the Canadian government has taken a number of measures in order to get the families reunited, belong to the Caribbean nation. Canada happens to be the host to one of the largest Haitian communities, outside Haiti. Further, Montreal, Quebec houses about ninety percent of the Haitian population. Thus, it is quite obvious for Canada to offer a helping hand to the people affected by the disastrous earthquake, as well as their families living in Canada.

Let’s have a look at the special measures introduced by Canada in respect of immigration:

• One of the most important measures is that Immigration Canada is going to let Haitians who reside in Canada sponsor their family members on a priority basis. In order to reap the advantage of this measure, the new applications must be marked with “Haiti”.
• Prospective migrants under family class category, whose applications had already been put to processing in process when the earthquake hit, will also be benefited from the above mentioned measure.
• Nationals from Haiti residing in Quebec, Canada are provided with the provision of sponsoring their near ones (who generally are not allowed), who meet the prerequisites.
• The priority processing is also applicable in respect of the adoption process involving Haitian children by Canadian parents.
• Haitians who are in Canada on temporary basis are given the provision to apply for extension of stay, minus the additional fees involved, as well as eligible candidates to apply for Open Work Permit.
• The requisite of temporary/transit visa has been put off for rescue and relief workers who are traveling to Haiti through Canada.