Temporary Resident Pathway for Palestinian Extended Family in Gaza

TL;DR — On January 9, 2024, in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) opened a special temporary resident visa (TRV) pathway for extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents in Gaza. The program offers expedited processing, fee waivers, and travel facilitation for eligible Palestinian extended family. It has been extended and adjusted multiple times since launch as the situation in Gaza has evolved.

Background

The escalation of the conflict in Gaza after October 7, 2023 created an urgent humanitarian situation for Palestinians in the territory. Canadians with extended family in Gaza — beyond the immediate spouse/child relationships covered under regular family-class sponsorship — pressed the government for a pathway to bring relatives to safety.

The Government's response was a special temporary-resident pathway, distinct from regular visitor visas, refugee resettlement, or family-class sponsorship.

Who is eligible

The anchor in Canada

The Canadian-side relative must be:

• A Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
• At least 18 years old.
• Currently residing in Canada.

The relative in Gaza

Eligible relationships extend beyond regular sponsorship to include:

• Spouse and common-law partner (immediate family — also eligible under regular sponsorship).
• Dependent children (also eligible under regular sponsorship).
• Parents and grandparents (regular sponsorship requires PGP intake which is capped).
• Adult children, siblings, grandparents, and in-some-cases aunts/uncles/nieces/nephews/cousins (extended family — uniquely covered by this special pathway).
• Spouses, partners, and dependent children of any of the above.

This is significantly broader than regular family-class sponsorship, which is limited to spouse, dependent child, and (under the capped PGP program) parents/grandparents.

The applicant

Must:

• Be currently in Gaza at the time of the initial expression-of-interest.
• Be a Palestinian national or person ordinarily residing in Gaza.
• Pass admissibility checks (security, criminal, medical).
• Have a Canadian anchor who has expressed an interest on their behalf.

Capacity and intake

IRCC has periodically capped the number of applications it would process under this pathway. The original announcement set an initial limit, which was adjusted as the situation in Gaza evolved.

Applications are processed through a unique intake mechanism:

1. The Canadian anchor expresses interest via a dedicated IRCC web form on canada.ca.
2. IRCC reviews and contacts eligible cases.
3. The applicant in Gaza receives a unique reference code and applies online for a TRV.
4. IRCC works with international partners and the Israeli, Egyptian, and Palestinian authorities for travel facilitation.
5. Once approved, applicants travel to Canada — typically via a third country given border restrictions in Gaza.

Special features of the program

This pathway includes several facilitations not available under standard TRV:

• Fee waivers: visitor visa, biometrics, and other application fees are waived.
• Reduced documentation: where standard documents are unavailable due to conflict (passport, police certificates), IRCC accepts alternative evidence.
• Expedited processing: applications are prioritized.
• Travel facilitation: Global Affairs Canada coordinates with international partners on departure logistics.
• In-Canada extensions: once in Canada, beneficiaries can apply to extend their visitor status for free.
• Open work permit eligibility: many beneficiaries can apply for open work permits, allowing employment.
• Study permit access: beneficiaries' children can attend Canadian schools without separate study permits in many cases.

Current status

The program has been adjusted multiple times since launch in response to:

• Border closures and reopenings.
• Capacity constraints on the Canadian side.
• Evolving humanitarian conditions in Gaza.
• Concerns about admissibility screening.

Applicants and anchors should consult canada.ca for the current intake status and any caps in effect.

After arrival

Beneficiaries arriving as temporary residents have access to:

• Free settlement services (LINC/CLIC language classes, employment counselling, community connections).
• Provincial healthcare after the standard waiting period (3 months in some provinces; private travel insurance recommended for the gap).
• Open work permits to support themselves.
• In-Canada visa extensions as needed.
• Family reunification through other channels — e.g., regular family-class sponsorship for spouse/children, asylum claims, or other public-policy programs.

While the program does not directly grant permanent residence, beneficiaries can apply for PR through other channels (asylum, family-class sponsorship, Express Entry if they meet criteria).

How to apply

For Canadian anchors

1. Visit canada.ca's dedicated Gaza-Palestinian web form.
2. Provide proof of Canadian citizenship or PR status.
3. Provide proof of the family relationship (birth certificates, marriage certificates).
4. Provide contact details for the relative in Gaza.
5. Submit the expression of interest.

For relatives in Gaza

After receiving a unique reference code:

1. Apply online via the IRCC Portal for a TRV.
2. Use the reference code to indicate this special pathway.
3. Submit available identification — IRCC will accept partial documentation given conflict conditions.
4. Provide medical information.
5. Submit biometrics if possible (usually after departure from Gaza).
6. Wait for processing.
7. Receive instructions for travel to Canada once approved.

Other crisis pathways

The Gaza pathway is one of several crisis-response programs IRCC has run:

• Ukraine — CUAET (closed July 2023).
• Afghanistan — special humanitarian programs.
• Sudan — facilitative measures.
• Lebanon — temporary measures (Oct 2024 - Jul 2025).
• Iran — temporary measures for Iranians in Canada.
• Haiti — special PR pathway under Guide 5991.

Each has different eligibility criteria, fees, and intake mechanisms. Applicants in Gaza with relatives in Canada use the dedicated Palestinian pathway; relatives elsewhere may need a different program.

Key facts at a glance

• Launched: January 9, 2024.
• For: Palestinian extended-family members in Gaza with a Canadian anchor.
• Anchor: Canadian citizen or PR, 18+, residing in Canada.
• Eligible relationships: significantly broader than regular family-class sponsorship — includes adult children, siblings, aunts/uncles/cousins.
• Visa type: temporary resident visa (TRV).
• Fee waivers: visa fee, biometrics fee waived.
• Open work permits: available after arrival.
• Extensions: free in-Canada extensions.
• Intake: capped, periodically adjusted.
• Pathway to PR: not direct, but possible through asylum, family sponsorship, or Express Entry post-arrival.

Source attribution

This article rewrites public information published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/news/2024/01/temporary-resident-pathway-opens-for-palestinian-extended-family-in-gaza.html. The original Government of Canada content is licensed under the Open Government Licence — Canada.

Verify on canada.ca

Intake caps, eligibility, and program details are evolving. Always check current status at canada.ca's Israel/Gaza information page before applying.

IRCC.com is an independent news and information aggregator. We are not affiliated with the Government of Canada and do not provide immigration services or advice. For personalized help, contact a CICC-licensed RCIC or a Canadian immigration lawyer.