The Canadian government said on Monday that new immigration regulations would be enacted to allow Sudanese temporary residents residing in Canada who may be unable to return home owing to Sudan’s rapidly deteriorating condition.
Hundreds of people have been killed, hospitals and other institutions have been damaged, and civilian areas have been turned into war zones since violence erupted on April 15 between Sudan’s armed forces and the paramilitary group Rapid Support Forces (RSF).
Sudanese nationals will be able to apply to extend their status in Canada and switch between temporary streams, allowing them to continue studying, working, or visiting family in Canada without incurring additional fees, according to Canadian Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
The Canadian government has said that it would prioritize processing completed temporary and permanent immigration applications from individuals still in Sudan, allowing them to depart when it is safe to do so.
It was also stated that applications for visiting visas from qualified immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents will be fast-tracked.
Canada has declared that Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Sudan who choose to leave would not be penalized.
Western, Arab, and Asian nations hurried to withdraw their citizens from Sudan after the United States claimed Monday that warring factions in Sudan had agreed to a 72-hour cease-fire.
The Canadian government said on Sunday that it would temporarily suspend its operations in Sudan and move its diplomats to a more safe place overseas.
