Updated: Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as a temporary resident

Background

On October 7, 2023, Hamas militants in Gaza launched an attack on Israel, killing approximately 1,200 civilians and taking over 240 people hostage. In response, the Government of Israel has undertaken a series of sustained attacks in Gaza seeking to neutralize the threat posed by Hamas. The escalating conflict has resulted in the death or injury of thousands of people, displaced more than one million people, and threatened regional stability.

Many Israeli nationals and persons holding a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority have chosen to come to Canada to visit or spend time with family, study, or work temporarily. Some of these temporary residents may be unable to return home due to the conflict.

Public policy conditions

This temporary public policy intends to facilitate access to education systems and the Canadian labour market for eligible foreign nationals who are in Canada under a temporary status by enabling them to apply for fee-exempt study permits and/or open work permits in Canada and thereby move between temporary resident streams, while also enabling those who wish to extend their existing temporary status in Canada to do so without fees. The intention of these measures is to ensure that these temporary residents are better able to support themselves in Canada while the crisis in Israel and the Palestinian Territories is ongoing.

Therefore, I hereby establish that there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting, pursuant to section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, of exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below when a foreign national meets the following conditions:

1. The foreign national
   1. Is an Israeli national or holds a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority and is in Canada with valid temporary resident status; and
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit.
2. The foreign national
   1. Is an Israeli national or holds a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority and is in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit; and
   3. Has applied for a work permit under section 200 or 201 of the Regulations.
3. The foreign national
   1. Is an Israeli national or holds a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority and is in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
   2. Has applied for
      1. an extension of their authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident under section 181 of the Regulations, or
      2. a temporary resident permit; and
   3. Has applied for a study permit under section 216 or 217 of the Regulations.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted:

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 1)

• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 305(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for an extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident;

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 2)

• Paragraphs 199(a)-(i)– the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c)– the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations;
• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 299(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a work permit

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 3)

• Section 213– the requirement to apply for a study permit before entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 215(1)(a)-(g)– the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit after entering Canada;
• Subsection 298(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a temporary resident permit;
• Subsection 300(1) – the requirement to pay an application processing fee for a study permit

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other legislative obligations and admissibility and selection requirements not exempted under this, or another, public policy.

Effective Date and Expiration

This public policy comes into effect on March 8, 2024. On coming into effect, this public policy revokes and replaces the Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as temporary residents that was signed on December 16, 2023.

Applications received pursuant to this public policy on or after the coming into effect date and before the expiry date, or the revocation, of the public policy will be processed under this public policy.

This public policy will expire June 12, 2024, and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.