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Situation in the Middle East

CIC is committed to communicating about immigration matters related to the situation in the Middle East as quickly as possible. Please continue to check this Web site for updates. If you are in Canada, you may call us toll-free at 1-800-457-5035. If you are overseas and have submitted an application at one of our visa offices, please contact that visa office.

Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) is committed to a humane and flexible response to the situation in Lebanon.

To assist with the Government of Canada’s evacuation and to facilitate family reunification, CIC's visa offices in Beirut, Lebanon, Damascus, Syria, and Amman, Jordan, provided priority visa services to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who wished to leave Lebanon. Over 1,600 visas were issued. Since a ceasefire was implemented August 14, 2006, CIC’s visa office in Beirut is gradually resuming normal operations. Until further notice, visa offices in Damascus and Amman will continue to assist the Beirut office to process temporary resident visa applications for residents of Lebanon.

CIC continues to give priority consideration to Family Class applications for permanent residence from people who are directly affected by the situation in Lebanon.

For important details on CIC’s response, please click on the links below:

• News Release
• Information for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents
• Priority processing for Family Class applicants
• Information on temporary resident visas
• For people in Lebanon wishing to visit, study, or work temporarily in Canada
• For people from Lebanon wishing to extend their temporary stay in Canada
• Frequently Asked Questions
• Definitions

For further information on immigration matters, including CIC’s response to the situation in the Middle East, please consult this Web site. For general information about the situation in the Middle East, please consult:

• Update from Foreign Affairs and International Trade Canada