Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced new temporary immigration measures to support individuals affected by the ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas. The program is aimed at helping both family members of Canadians or permanent residents currently in Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza, as well as Israelis and Palestinians already in Canada who may be unable or unwilling to return to the region.
According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, one of the key goals of these initiatives is to facilitate the safe departure of Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members from areas impacted by the conflict. To this end, IRCC is offering fee-exempt open work permits and study permits to eligible foreign nationals.
To qualify for these permits, applicants must be the family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who have departed from Israel or the Palestinian Territories since the onset of the current crisis. These family members must hold valid temporary resident status in Canada to apply for the new permits.
Family members eligible under this policy include spouses, common-law partners, children (regardless of age), grandchildren, siblings, parents, and grandparents of Canadian citizens or permanent residents currently living in Canada. Applicants must provide official documentation to prove the relationship, such as birth certificates, baptismal records, or civil registry documents.
In a related move, the IRCC will prioritize existing permanent residency applications under the family class sponsorship category for Palestinians. This is intended to expedite the reunification of families amid the instability in the region.
To support individuals seeking information or assistance, IRCC has set up a dedicated service channel. Calls can be made from within Canada or abroad to +1-613-321-4243, and collect calls will be accepted. Affected individuals may also use the IRCC crisis web form online and include the keyword “MOME2023” to prioritize their inquiry.
Maple News notes that IRCC expects to release more details about these special immigration measures shortly, and encourages eligible individuals to explore their options and stay informed through official channels.