Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced a new process specifically designed to help facilitate visits to Canada for the 2015 Toronto PanAm and ParapanAm Games.
Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) has announced a new process specifically designed to help facilitate visits to Canada for the 2015 Toronto PanAm and ParapanAm Games.
The temporary program will help ease immigration for many visitors, as long as they are considered PanAm Family Members (PAFM/PPFM). This categorization includes athletes, coaches, officials, technicians, national Olympic Committees, international sports federations, broadcasters, accredited media, sponsors, and international dignitaries.
The amendment to regular immigration policy will help make it easier for these people to enter Canada for the Games, which are scheduled to begin on July 10, 2015.
Individuals will still need to meet Canadian immigration requirements, but the process will help streamline the application process and eliminate different fees and administration costs. According to the Canada Gazette site, “Under the amendments to the Regulations, a foreign national PAFM/PPFM who has submitted information through the Toronto Organizing Committee (TO2015) is deemed to have made an application under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA). The application will be considered an application for a multiple entry TRV or a TRP, as required.”
There are 17,000 estimated applications for PAFMs/PPFMs. The loss of revenue to the Government of Canada with the waiving of these fees is an estimated $1.3 million.
Individuals who qualify as PAFMs or PPFMs are generally considered as low-risk travellers as they frequent other sporting events around the world. Most of these PAFMs or PPFMs have frequented the Olympics and other Commonwealth Competitions, so they have already undergone extensive security checks.
In order to qualify for the program, they will still need to meet other Canadian immigration requirements including not posing a threat to Canadian health and security.
This development will help to facilitate the travel process for those attending the games in any kind of official capacity. However, spectators and visitors who do not qualify for PAFM/PPFM status will not be able to utilize this streamlined procedure. Visitors will be required to apply through the regular channels at Canadian visa offices abroad (when applicable).
There is also a sunset clause in place to repeal these measures following the end of the games on September 15, 2015. The entire procedure is very similar to the one used by Citizenship and Immigration Canada for the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympics.
It is also expected that there will be an increase in refugee claims immediately following the games, as was the case when Canada hosted the Vancouver Games and the 2001 Jeux de la Francophonie.
For more information about visiting Canada and visitor visas, please find more information here.
FWCanada is a Montreal-based immigration law firm that provides professional legal services on Canadian immigration. For more tips and updates on Canadian immigration follow FWCanada on Facebook, Twitter, and Linkedin.
