CIMM – Country Comparison Chart: Gaza Response – May 27, 2024

• The spouse
• Common-law partner
• dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or of their spouse or common-law partner
• dependent child of a dependent child

As of May 10, Canada has assisted 870 Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members out of Gaza.

• Yes
• Temporary public policy for extended family members of Canadians and PRs in Gaza
• Cap: 5,000
• Total TRV applications accepted into processing: 2,903
• Arrivals to Canada under the PP as of May 20: 41
• Temporary measure to support Israelis and Palestinians already in Canada
• Eligible individuals can apply for a fee-exempt study permit or open work permit under the measures once in Canada
• Eligible individuals have access to three months of healthcare under the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP).
• IRCC is working to enable access to settlement services for those arriving from Gaza, including those arriving as part of the extended family temporary resident pathway.

The Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) is prioritizing assistance to Australian citizens, permanent residents and immediate family. Immediate family members are a spouse/de facto partner and dependent children.

We are aware of reporting which states the Australian government has supported at least 207 Australian citizens, permanent residents and their family members to depart Gaza.^{Footnote 1} However, we cannot confirm the validity of this data as it was not published officially.

No dedicated pathway.

Palestinians have access to visitor visas (subclass 600). These visas are pre-existing and have not been specially created for the crisis.

Australia is not assisting departure for these individuals.

This is not a location-specific visa: visitor visas have been granted to people with Palestinian Authority travel documents all over the world (Gaza, West Bank and elsewhere).^{Footnote 2}

Under this visa, individuals:

• Can stay in Australia for up to 12 months
• Cannot work
• Do not have access to healthcare
• Cannot study for more than 3 months

As of February 6, 2024, over 2,273 visas have been issued to Palestinians.^{Footnote 3}

As of March 18, less than 400 Palestinians have arrived in Australia. Based on the article, these individuals appear to have exited Gaza on their own.^{Footnote 4}

Immediate family members of US citizens include:

• Spouses
• unmarried children under the age of 21
• parents of US citizens

If the US citizen is under 31, immediate family also includes any siblings who are also unmarried and under 21.

Immediate family members of lawful permanent residents include:

• spouses
• unmarried children under 21

According to the State Department, as of May 13, 2024, over 1,800 US citizens, lawful permanent residents and other eligible individuals have left the Gaza Strip.^{Footnote 5}

Individuals must be:

• A spouse/partner of a British national, or a child aged 17 or under currently living in the UK; and
• hold valid permission to enter or remain in the UK for longer than 6 months.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFAT) provides assistance to New Zealand citizens, permanent residents and family, including spouse/partner and dependent children up to 24.

Assisted departures for citizens, dual nationals, and immediate family members.

As of April 13, 2024, Italy has completed three medical evacuations from Gaza transferring 156 Palestinian civilians, who have since been accommodated in Italian health facilities.^{Footnote 6} We cannot confirm the validity of this data as it was not published officially.

Temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza

Visitor visa; Subclass 600
These visas exist as a part of Australia’s visa system; they have not been specially created.

Palestinians who:

• Live in Gaza
• Are related^{Footnote *} to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who lives or intends to live in Canada
• Will be supported in Canada by the Canadian citizen or permanent resident for a period of one year

Applicants must:

• Be a genuine visitor
• Have enough funds to support their stay and leave
• Meet medical requirements (e.g. TB testing, chest x-ray, HIV test, etc.)^{Footnote *}

This is not a location-specific visa: these visitor visas have been granted to people with Palestinian Authority travel documents all over the world (Gaza, West Bank and elsewhere).

Up to 3 years or the length of the validity of passport

Up to 12 months

Once in Canada, eligible people can apply for a fee-exempt work permit

No

Once in Canada, eligible people can apply for a fee-exempt study permit

Maximum 3 months

Yes; 90 days Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage

No

The anchor will help clients find temporary and permanent housing

Most will live with family

$100 each or $500 for families of five or more for TRV applications & $85 each or $170 for families of 2 or more for biometric fees

AUD $190+

254 (as of May 20, 2023) under the Temporary Public Policy

Over 2,273 (as of Feb. 6, 2024)^{Footnote 7}

41 (as of May 20, 2024)

Less than 400^{Footnote 8}