OTTAWA - The federal government is opening the door to Afghan immigrants who have put their lives on the line supporting the Canadian mission Kandahar.

Immigration Minister Jason Kenney said new measures will reward those who faced "extraordinary personal risk" in support of Canadian troops and aid workers.

"We commend their bravery to help build a better Afghanistan while recognizing the price that they have paid," he said. "Their lives and those of their families may be threatened by insurgents, and some have suffered serious injury and can no longer work. To recognize their contribution, we will offer them special consideration if they wish to relocate to Canada."

Applicants must have worked in support of the Canadian mission for at least one year and demonstrate they were in danger. Spouses and dependent children of Afghan nationals killed due to work supporting the Canadian government will also be eligible.

Applicants must meet standard immigration criteria such as criminal, medical and security screening.

Kenney said the Afghans will not be considered refugees, but special immigrants who fall through the cracks of current law. He expects "a few hundred" successful applicants to qualify by the time the mission ends in 2011.

The federal government will pay for travel and resettlement costs and provide health-care coverage and income support upon arrival in Canada. Similar programs are offered by the U.S. in Afghanistan and the U.K., Australia and Denmark in Iraq.

The announcement comes as the government released its fifth quarterly report on the Afghanistan mission, which outlines some progress in new school construction, army and police mentoring, teacher training and infrastructure rebuilding despite escalating violence.

kathleen.harris@sunmedia.ca