Disaster in South and Southeast Asia - An Update

The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is working with other government agencies both in Canada and in countries affected by this disaster to provide assistance to Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their dependents.

CBSA officers at ports of entry will be flexible when dealing with people returning from regions affected by the tsunami and earthquake disaster, while at the same time, exercising vigilance for the possible fraudulent use of stolen or lost documents.

Canadian missions abroad are issuing various travel documents to assist in the return of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and others. Persons arriving on temporary Canadian travel documents are to be referred for a more thorough examination to confirm their identity and surrender their temporary travel document.

The CBSA is maintaining its temporary deferral of removals to Sri Lanka. For the following areas, the decision on whether to remove will be made on a case-by-case basis:

• Maldives;
• India: The provinces of Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala, the territories of Pondicherry and Andaman and the Nicobar Islands;
• Indonesia: The province of Aceh;
• Seychelles;
• Thailand: The provinces of Ranong, Phangnga, Phuket, Krabi, Trang and Satun (and offshore islands).

Officers will use the utmost discretion in scheduling removals for individuals who have been seriously and personally affected by this disaster.

Under the Canada/United States Reciprocal Arrangement, removals to the United States of nationals of the above-listed countries will also resume effective April 7, 2005.

In order to preserve the safety and security of Canada, removals of criminals, war criminals and those who have been determined to be a risk for Canada's national security will continue.

The CBSA will also facilitate the return of people who wish to voluntarily return to the affected countries.

The CBSA will continue to monitor country conditions and will update the list above as necessary.

For more information, consult our fact sheet on removals.

For more information about Canadian relief efforts in Asia, visit the Canada Site or the Canadian International Development Agency Web site.