Israel–Hamas Conflict | Canada’s Temporary Immigration Measures
Measures for extended family in Gaza
(IRCC’s Updates on 9 Jan 2024)
Building upon the measures initially disclosed in December, Canada has introduced a new temporary resident pathway to support extended family members in Gaza who are connected to Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by the Israel–Hamas conflict.
Eligible family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, including:
- Spouses or common-law partners
- Child (of any age)
- Grandchild
- Siblings (half-siblings and adopted siblings included)
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Immediate family members of the above
- Spouse or common-law partner
- dependent child (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s)
- dependent child of a dependent child
Applicants must meet admissibility requirements, including biometrics, for approval to enter Canada.
Application Deadline
The application deadline of the temporary measurements regarding the crisis in Gaza:
- When “1,000 complete TRV (Temporary Resident Visa) applications have been received and have been accepted for processing”
- OR “1 year after these measures come into effect”, whichever comes first.
After arriving in Canada
Upon arrival in Canada, eligible family members can apply for fee-exempt study or work permits. They will also be eligible for a 3-month health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program.
More details of the temporary special measures regarding the crisis in Israel, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip.
For more details on the updates, please visit IRCC’s website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/temporary-resident-pathway-opens-for-palestinian-extended-family-in-gaza.html
(IRCC News Release on 21 December, 2023)
Measures for Israeli nationals, Palestinian passport holders and foreign national family members in Canada
(IRCC’s Updates on 21 Dec 2023)
In response to the ongoing Israel–Hamas Conflict, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship (IRCC) Marc Miller has announced temporary immigration measures.
These measures are designed to facilitate the departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members from Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza. The key points are as follows:
- Fee-exempt study or open work permits in Canada are now available for:
- Foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have left Israel and the Palestinian Territories since the onset of the current conflict.
- Israelis and Palestinians already in Canada who feel unsafe returning to the region at this time.
- Priority will be given to processing permanent residence applications for Palestinians within family-based streams.
- Detailed information regarding special measures for extended family members applying for temporary residence will be provided soon.
For more details regarding the special measures for those impacted by the Israel–Hamas Conflict, please visit IRCC’s website:
https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2023/12/immigration-measures-to-help-people-affected-by-the-israelhamas-conflict.html
(IRCC News Release on 21 December, 2023)
Visit TWA Canada Immigration News for more related updates.
