Canada’s Special Pathway for Families of Flight PS752 Victims
Canada’s Special Pathway for Families of Flight PS752 Victims
Canada’s Special Pathway for Families of Flight PS752 Victims
A Reflection on Compassion in Immigration
Seeing the Light in the Dark
Every time tragedy strikes, Canada’s immigration system finds a way to respond with compassion.
When I look back at heartbreaking moments in recent history, one clear example stands out — the downing of Ukraine International Airlines Flight PS752 on January 8, 2020.
That morning, a routine flight from Tehran to Kyiv was destroyed moments after take-off, claiming the lives of 176 people, including many Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and international students who were contributing to this country’s academic and professional communities.
Every tragedy has both a dark and a light side. The dark is obvious — loss, grief, injustice.
But if we choose to look toward the glowing side, we can see how a nation turns compassion into policy. Canada did not forget the victims or their families. Instead, it created opportunities to help those who suffered the unimaginable loss of their loved ones rebuild their lives in safety and dignity.
How the Program Began
In the years following the crash, the Government of Canada introduced a series of temporary public policies designed to offer permanent residence (PR) to certain family members of PS752 victims.
The first pathway was launched in 2021, helping families already in Canada who had lost relatives in recent air disasters obtain permanent status.
The second followed in 2022, extending similar relief to families outside Canada who were related to Canadian victims.
These programs brought hope but didn’t reach every situation. Some relatives had since come to Canada on temporary work or study permits; others remained abroad, still closely connected to their family members in Canada.
Recognizing those gaps, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced two new temporary public policies on October 28, 2024 — an expanded, more inclusive pathway for the families of Flight PS752 victims.
What the 2024 Policies Provide
IRCC’s newest measures simplify the route to permanent residence for eligible family members both inside and outside Canada.
1. Families inside or outside Canada approved to work or study
This policy covers individuals who are already in Canada — or who were approved to come — under a study permit or work permit.
It allows them to apply directly for permanent residence without needing to qualify through Express Entry or economic-class programs.
The government’s intent is clear: people who have already been living, studying, or working here should not face uncertainty simply because of the circumstances of their family’s tragedy.
2. Families outside Canada related to Canadian victims
This second policy assists relatives living abroad who are family members of Canadians or permanent residents who perished on Flight PS752.
They may apply for a permanent resident visa under humanitarian and compassionate grounds, benefiting from exemptions that make the process simpler and more flexible than ordinary immigration classes.
Who Is Eligible
To qualify, applicants must demonstrate a close family relationship with a PS752 victim — such as a spouse, common-law partner, child, parent, grandparent, or sibling.
They must also show that the deceased relative was either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or someone approved to work or study in Canada at the time of the tragedy.
The policies apply to applicants both inside and outside Canada (except those residing in Quebec, which has separate immigration authority).
Each case requires standard admissibility checks — medical, security, and background — but many regulatory barriers have been waived to ease access.
Application Deadline and Intake
These measures officially took effect on October 28, 2024, and will end on October 27, 2025.
Applications must be received by IRCC’s Humanitarian Migration Office in Vancouver no later than the closing date. Files that arrive afterward will not be accepted.
Unless the government decides to extend or renew these policies, the pathway will most likely close permanently at that time.
That’s why eligible families should begin preparing their documentation early to avoid delays or rejections due to incomplete submissions.
How to Apply
The process is paper-based and must be mailed directly to IRCC Vancouver.
Applicants should:
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Complete the IMM 0008 application form and related schedules.
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Include proof of relationship to the victim and copies of all passports.
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Add any work- or study-permit approvals if applicable.
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Label the envelope clearly as “Victims of Air Disasters Public Policy – VAD.”
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Pay the processing, biometrics, and Right of Permanent Residence fees.
If documents are missing, IRCC officers have been instructed not to return the application immediately but to contact the applicant and allow additional time to provide evidence — a humane adjustment rarely seen in standard PR processes.
A Humanitarian Perspective
As a Canadian immigration consultant, I see this program as more than a legal pathway.
It’s a reflection of Canada’s humanitarian values — the belief that immigration policy can also serve compassion and healing.
Families who lost loved ones on Flight PS752 have already endured years of uncertainty.
For them, this opportunity is not simply about paperwork; it is about restoring stability, belonging, and dignity.
The Canadian government’s willingness to waive certain rules — such as strict class definitions or previous visa conditions — shows that policy can adapt to human reality.
It reminds us that immigration is not only about numbers or quotas; it is about people and stories.
Important Considerations
While generous, the policies still require careful attention to detail.
Applications may be refused if:
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The relationship to the victim is not sufficiently proven;
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Temporary status has lapsed without authorization;
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The applicant is inadmissible for reasons not covered by the policy;
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Required documents are incomplete or inconsistent.
Professional guidance can ensure accuracy and strengthen credibility. At Ghasedak Immigration Services, we assist families in preparing evidence, verifying eligibility, and submitting complete, timely applications.
Final Thoughts
The downing of Flight PS752 remains a scar in global memory, but Canada’s ongoing support for affected families offers a ray of light amid the darkness.
No policy can erase the pain of loss — yet by offering permanent residence to those left behind, Canada affirms its commitment to compassion, justice, and human dignity.
If you or someone you know lost a family member on Flight PS752 and may qualify for this program, I encourage you to act before October 27, 2025.
Source:permanent-residence-families-victims-ps752
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