CIMM - Application Process for the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family affected by the Crisis in Gaza - May 27, 2024

Key Messages

The application process for the Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family affected by the Crisis in Gaza includes the following steps:

Webcode (initial eligibility check)

1. Crisis Web Form: Applicants or their representative (who can be the Canadian anchor or a paid representative) must first submit a crisis web form with all the required documents.
2. Unique Reference Code: If the crisis web form is complete and based on available space, the applicant will receive a unique reference code that they can use to submit a temporary resident visa (TRV) application through the IRCC Portal.

TRV Application

3. TRV Application: If the TRV application is complete, and the intake cap is not met, it is accepted into processing.
4. Review: An officer reviews the application in process to determine eligibility and admissibility, including preliminary security screening based on the enhanced biographical information requested (currently 100% referral for screening).
5. Facilitation: Where family groups have no preliminary eligibility or admissibility concerns, their names are added to the COGAT list.
6. Finalization: If able to exit, applicants are asked to submit their biometrics in a third country. Once all checks are complete, IRCC will render a decision and finalize the TRV application.
7. TRV Issuance: If approved, applicants will be issued a TRV and can arrange their onward travel to Canada.

It is important to note that the submission of a web form and receipt of a unique reference code by the applicant does not mean that the application is being considered part of the public policy. An application will only be processed under the public policy if a complete TRV application has been submitted before the cap is reached. Applications are reviewed based on the order in which IRCC receives these applications.

Definitions:

Anchor

The anchor is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member of the Palestinian national applying for the TRV under the public policy. The anchor must be over the age of 18, and reside or intend to reside in Canada. The anchor must also sign a statutory declaration (per family unit) form outlining the anchor’s intention to provide support to the Palestinian national and their family members.

Applicant

A person who submits a TRV application under the public policy.

Crisis Web Form

The crisis web form is an online IRCC form also referred to as a web form application. Applicants or their representative (who can be the Canadian anchor or a paid representative) applying for a temporary resident visa for extended family members under the Gaza special measures must first submit a crisis web form with all the required documents.

It can be completed by the applicant or a representative including the anchor or a family member, friend, etc. If there are other family units, a separate crisis web form must be submitted for each family unit. The web crisis form is akin to an Invitation to Apply, which has been used before for other programs.

Unique Reference Code

Issued after a (crisis) web form has been submitted and deemed to be complete in order to submit a TRV application, it is solely assigned for identification purposes and is essential for the application submission. Each eligible applicant who was listed in the statutory declaration will get their own unique reference code.

Temporary Resident Visa

An official document issued by a migration office abroad that is placed in a person’s passport to show that he or she has met the requirements for admission to Canada as a temporary resident. A counterfoil is a specially designed sticker on which missions abroad print visa information.