Resettlement overview
The Government of Canada is facilitating the immigration of up to 1,000 Tibetans living in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India, at the request of the Canada Tibet Committee and Canada’s Tibetan community. Up to 1,000 displaced Tibetans, including principal applicants and their eligible family members, will be accepted over a five-year period.
As part of this program, the Canada Tibet Committee has incorporated Project Tibet Society (PTS) to oversee the program. With CTC branches, local Tibetan Cultural Associations and Tibet supporters across Canada, PTS is now in the process of establishing local committees to oversee the five-year program.
Arunachal Pradesh
Arunachal Pradesh is situated in North-Eastern India. With a total area of 83,743 sq. kms, it has a long international border with Tibet (currently occupied by the People’s Republic of China) to the north and north-east (1,080 km), Myanmar to the east (440 km) and Bhutan to the west (160 km).
The majority of Arunachal Pradesh is claimed by the People’s Republic of China and to this day faces threats from insurgent groups.
Public policy
The Minister hereby establishes the following temporary public policy under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA).
Up to 1,000 displaced Tibetans, including principal applicants and their eligible family members, may be accepted under this public policy. Principal applicants and their eligible family members, whether they accompany the principal applicant or not, will be counted towards this total.
As of March 17, 2011, applications for permanent residence made under the IRPA by persons who are displaced Tibetans living in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India who have been matched with an approved sponsor in Canada shall be assessed along with their family members by delegated officers to determine whether permanent residence status in Canada could be granted to them on the basis of the criteria that are set out below.
To read more: www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/laws-policy/tibet.asp
Criteria
To qualify for this program a displaced Tibetan must be living in the state of Arunachal Pradesh in India who:
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can demonstrate their identity as a displaced Tibetan;
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has resided in Arunachal Pradesh prior to, and continues to reside in Arunachal Pradesh since December 18, 2010;
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has been matched with an approved sponsor in Canada through the Project Tibet Society, the umbrella organization working with Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) on the implementation of this program;
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are not inadmissible on grounds of security, criminality, war crimes and crimes against humanity, organized crime, health and misrepresentation; and
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can demonstrate their ability to successfully establish in Canada.
Groups of Five
A Group of Five is any group of five – or more – Canadians (18 years or older) who live in the community where the Tibetan family will settle. Members will ensure that the necessary support will be provided for the 12 months of the sponsorship. The group will need to show that they have the resources, expertise and commitment to fulfil the sponsorship.
Sponsors are responsible for providing care, lodging, settlement assistance and support for the duration of the sponsorship period. Normally, this is 12 months starting from the day of arrival in Canada or until the family has become self-sufficient, whichever comes first.
Sponsors will be responsible for helping access language training, look for a job, and extend ongoing friendships. They will provide encouragement and help you to adjust to life in Canada; teaching you the rights and responsibilities of permanent residence in Canada.
With the Refugee Sponsorship Training Program (a Toronto-based organization), Project Tibet Society will ensure that the required training is provided to support this exciting initiative. In addition to this training, Project Tibet Society will help guide Groups of Five through all the necessary steps required and be their to counsel groups during the 12 month period.
Group of Five instruction guide
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/group5.asp
Guide and forms for this public policy are now available on CIC Website:
http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/applications/tibetan.asp
http://www.cic.gc.ca/francais/information/demandes/tibetain.asp
To learn more call 514-487-0665 or email ctcoffice@tibet.ca