Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced temporary immigration measures to help the family members of Canadians and permanent residents who are currently in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza.
These temporary immigration measures also apply to Israelis and Palestinians already in Canada.
On December 21, the Canadian Immigration Minister, Marc Miller, introduced a new free work permit and study permit for Israelis and Palestinians who are already in Canada.
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Fee-exempt Study or Open Work Permits in Canada
Beginning today, the following people can apply for a fee-exempt study or open work permit:
- Foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents (PRs) who have left Israel and the Palestinian Territories, either with their family members or of their own accord, since the onset of the current conflict.
- Israelis and Palestinians currently in Canada who don’t feel safe going back to the region right now.
If you’re a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or if you’re already in Canada as an Israeli or Palestinian, you can apply for fee-exempt study or work permits without paying fees. However, you need to have a valid temporary resident status to be eligible.
People who are permanent residents, family members of permanent residents, or Canadian citizens who arrived in Canada after being helped to leave Gaza can apply online for time-limited medical coverage. This is through the Interim Federal Health Program, which helps with immediate medical needs when they first arrive.
For Those With Loved Ones Living in Gaza:
Canada is taking extra steps to assist Canadians concerned about the safety of their loved ones in Gaza. Additional measures are being implemented to support relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents with family members temporarily residing in Gaza.
Priority will be given to processing new and existing applications for permanent residency for Palestinians under family-based streams.
If you’re eligible to apply for work permit, you must be an immediate family member of a Canadian anchor, such as a spouse, common-law partner, dependent child, dependent child of a dependent child, kid (regardless of age), grandchild, sibling, parent, or grandmother.
The applicant must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident living in Canada at the moment.
Proof of Relationship Documents
Proof of relationship documents may include:
- a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s birth certificate
- a copy of the child’s or grandchild’s baptismal certificate
- another official document naming the applicant as the parent or grandparent, such as their family book or civil registration documents.
The situation in Gaza is very volatile and unpredictable. Israel has expanded ground operations in the Gaza Strip, and airstrikes continue. It’s really hard to leave Gaza, and different countries have their own rules for who can enter or leave.
To enter Canada, people leaving Gaza need to meet all the necessary requirements.
Canada is working with nearby countries to help eligible family members, permanent residents, and citizens of Canada leave more easily.
Additional details about special rules for extended family members of Canadian citizens, along with how to apply, will be available soon.
“The scale of this humanitarian crisis is devastating and the situation on the ground is challenging. Israelis and Palestinians in Canada will continue to find safety here and we will do what we can to help loved ones who have fled the region, as well as eligible family members who remain in Gaza. We will continue to remain flexible with our response so we can meet the unique needs of those who require our support.”
The Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
More information about special measures for extended family members of Canadians, like how to apply for fee-exempt work permit, will be shared soon. You can call IRCC at 613-321-4243 if you have questions, and they accept collect calls. If you’re using the IRCC crisis web form, add “MOME2023” to your enquiry, and it will be a priority.
For now, if you’re a Canadian or permanent resident with family in Gaza who can come to Canada, start getting your documents ready, like proof of your relationship.
