e-4905 (Citizenship and immigration)

The Government of Canada remains deeply concerned about the situation in Gaza. The Government of Canada shares the shock and horror felt across Canada – and around the world – at the brutal and unthinkable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. The Government also recognizes the devastating toll faced by Palestinians as a result of the ensuing conflict. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The tragic loss of civilian lives – particularly women and children – is heartbreaking.

As of June 3, 2024, the Government of Canada has assisted approximately 2,588 Canadians, permanent residents, and their immediate family members in departing Israel, the West Bank, and Gaza since October 2023. This includes 870 individuals from Gaza. Palestinians who are already in Canada are eligible to apply for a fee-exempt study permit or an open work permit so that they can continue to study, work, and visit family in Canada.

In December 2023, IRCC announced the Temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza which opened on January 9, 2024. The program was initially capped at 1,000 applications (persons). On May 27, 2024, the Government of Canada announced an increase in the number of temporary resident visa applications that will be accepted into processing as part of the Updated temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza to 5,000.

To date, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has issued well over 5,000 web codes and has accepted over 3,400 applications into processing. IRCC officers are assessing applications as quickly as possible. Procedures and processes are outlined in detail on the IRCC website and processing times vary based on the details of each application. In the current context, many factors are outside of IRCC’s control, particularly the situation in Gaza and decisions regarding who can exit Gaza.

To support the movement of Palestinians out of Gaza, a multi-stage security screening approach is being used. This process allows IRCC and our Public Safety partners to initiate security screening in advance of applicants’ exit from Gaza. In order to complete processing on these files, applicants must exit Gaza. The governments of Egypt and Israel have established an official exit process from Gaza, which the Government of Canada must honour. As part of this process, Canada has put forward the names of people who have passed preliminary eligibility and admissibility reviews to local authorities for approval, but as noted above, Canada does not ultimately decide who can exit Gaza. The Government of Canada continues to engage in diplomatic efforts to facilitate exit for individuals falling under our consular operation and applicants under IRCC’s public policy. Israel has recently agreed to Canada’s request to facilitate the exit of extended family members in Gaza as part of their expanding humanitarian efforts.

The Rafah Border has been closed since May 7. At this time, there are no crossings into Egypt and Canada continues to collaborate and advocate with our partners for a re-opening of the vital border crossing and to facilitate exit of our clients. Canada is ready to receive applicants in Cairo once the border reopens.

Under the public policy, applicants must be in Gaza on the day their application (webform) is submitted to be eligible. People who submitted a webform while still in Gaza and have since left would still be eligible for the public policy. They may receive a unique code to complete their application for a temporary resident visa (TRV), depending on the spaces left under these special measures. Similarly, people who complete their TRV application under these measures and have since left Gaza will also continue to have their application processed pending available space under the intake cap. People who already have existing TRV applications who meet the eligibility requirements under the public policy can ask for their applications to be processed under the special measures.

Our focus remains on keeping families together and bringing them to safety as quickly as possible. In light of the situation and to help as many people as possible, Canada is taking into account the special circumstances of individuals, whether they have submitted a regular TRV application or one associated with the Temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza, when processing applications.

As of July 2, 2024, 363 people who exited Gaza on their own and had TRV applications in process were able to submit biometrics and complete their application, and have been approved to come to Canada. As of July 2, 2024, 125 people have arrived in Canada under the temporary public policy.

In addition, as of July 2, 2024, 599 temporary resident visas have been approved for Palestinians since October 8, 2023, through IRCC's existing programs, outside of the temporary public policy and assisted departure efforts.

Part 4 - The Government of Canada shares the shock and horror felt across Canada – and around the world – at the brutal and unthinkable terrorist attacks by Hamas against Israeli civilians on October 7, 2023. The Government also recognizes the devastating toll faced by Palestinians as a result of the ensuing conflict. The humanitarian situation in Gaza is catastrophic. The tragic loss of civilian lives – particularly women and children – is heartbreaking. The Minister of Foreign Affairs has been clear: too many Palestinian civilians people have been killed; international law must be respected; civilians must be protected. The violence must stop.

This is why Canada has been calling for an immediate humanitarian ceasefire for many months. This is needed urgently, and it must not be one-sided. Hamas – a listed terrorist organization – must lay down its arms and release all hostages. Rapid, safe, and unimpeded access for humanitarian relief must be provided; the need for this assistance has never been greater.

Canada is actively working with partners across the international community to address the situation. As of July 25th, 2024, Canada has provided consular support to nearly 900 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and eligible family members who crossed the Rafah border since November 1, 2023. Canada has also successfully assisted 79 Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their eligible family members leave the West Bank between October 16 and November 16, 2023. The Government of Canada continues to work with local authorities on every level and make every effort to get extended family members out of Gaza, however, movement out of Gaza is extremely challenging as neighbouring countries set their own entry and exit requirements. Canada continues to closely monitor the situation at the Rafah border. The safety and security of Canadians abroad is Canada’s top priority, that is why the Government will continue to work with partners on the ground to facilitate the safe exit of Canadians, permanent residents, and eligible family members.