Immigration Minister Marc Miller says Canada will let in five times more refugees from the Gaza than originally allowed, upping the cap on the program to 5,000 from 1,000.
“We remain deeply concerned about the humanitarian tragedy unfolding in Gaza,” said Miller on May 27. “Many people are worried about their loved ones and have expressed significant interest in the temporary special measures we introduced for their extended family in Gaza.
“That is why, as part of our humanitarian response, we have increased the number of temporary resident visa applications that will be accepted into processing as part of these measures from 1,000 to 5,000. Over the past few weeks, we have been issuing more web codes so that clients can apply for a temporary resident visa.
Movement out of Gaza is not currently possible but the immigration minister pointed out the situation may change at any time and the program’s cap increase will allow Canada to be ready to help more people as the situation evolves.
“Canada continues to put forward the names of those who have passed preliminary screening to local authorities to secure their exit from Gaza,” said Miller.
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“Israel and Egypt are both important partners in implementing these temporary, humanitarian measures and helping people reunite with their family in Canada. Canada is working at every level to facilitate the exit of extended family members and advocate for their safety. We will continue to advocate for people’s safety.”
Canada has offered temporary safe haven for Palestinians directly affected by the crisis in Gaza who have Canadian citizen or permanent resident family members in Canada willing to support them.
Eligible family members include a spouse, common-law partner, child, grandchild, sibling, parent or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, as well as their immediate family members (spouse, common-law partner, dependent child and dependent child of a dependent child).
“Once in Canada, eligible people can apply for a fee-exempt study permit or open work permit under the measures already announced,” notes Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Palestinian Refugees Will Be Eligible For Work And Study Permits
“This will help them to better support themselves in Canada while the crisis in Israel and the Palestinian territories continues. They will also have access to three months of health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program to help address any urgent medical needs upon arrival, as well as settlement services such as language training and support connecting with the labour market and local community.”
Miller has pledged to keep monitoring the situation and make changes to this temporary program as needed.
“The situation on the ground in Gaza is challenging and volatile,” he said in early January when the program was announced.
“These new measures provide a humanitarian pathway to safety and recognize the importance of keeping families together given the ongoing crisis. We will continue to monitor the situation in Gaza very closely as it evolves and adapt our response accordingly.”
The IRCC has a dedicated service channel for enquiries on these special measures available for people both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted.
Exemptions for temporary resident visa applicants under the public policy will expire on Jan. 9, 2025, or when the 5,000 temporary resident visa applications have been received and accepted for processing, whichever comes first.
These multiple entry temporary resident visas will be valid for up to three years or the length of the person’s passport validity.
Canada made fee-exempt study permits and open work permits available for immediate family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident as of Dec. 21 last year.
