Who was eligible to apply
All available spaces have been filled
As of March 6, 2025, we received enough temporary resident visa (TRV) applications to fill the available spaces. We’re no longer
- issuing unique reference codes
- accepting new applications under these measures
Find out what happens if you have an application in progress.
On this page
Eligibility
There were 2 groups who were eligible to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) under these special measures.
Group 1 – Extended family of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Eligibility under group 1
- have a passport or travel document issued by the State of Palestine
- be living in the Gaza Strip on the day your application is submitted
- have an eligible anchor
- be the anchor’s
- spouse or common-law partner
- child (of any age)
- grandchild
- parent
- grandparent
- sibling (half-siblings and adopted siblings included)
- not be inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than financial ones
Group 2 – Family members of the person described in group 1
Eligibilityle under group 2
- be the family member of somebody described in group 1
- Per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, family member is defined as a
- spouse or common-law partner
- dependent child (yours, your spouse’s or your common-law partner’s)
- dependent child of a dependent child
- Per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, family member is defined as a
- not be inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than financial ones
Other requirements
Medical exam requirements
You must have an immigration medical exam (IME) done if
- you’ve been in any of these designated countries or territories for 6 months in a row or longer and
- you were there within the year before you enter Canada
The same applies to the family members who are coming with you to Canada.
If you need to get an IME, it can be done outside of Gaza.
Find out more about getting an IME.
Your anchor
Your anchor will support you during your application and once you arrive in Canada. Make sure your anchor meets the following requirements.
Who can be an anchor
The anchor must
- be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident
- be 18 years of age or older
- be related to the person described under group 1
- live or intend to live in Canada
- be willing to support you and your family members for 1 year to help you settle and integrate in Canada
The anchor must not
- accept payment from you or your family members in exchange for being your anchor
- be receiving social assistance for a reason other than disability
- have an ongoing bankruptcy
- be in default of any sponsorship undertaking, support payment obligation or debt owed to the Government of Canada
- be convicted of a serious crime
- be in jail or prison
- be subject to a removal order in Canada
An eligible Canadian citizen or permanent resident can be the anchor for more than one person described in group 1, as long as they agree to support that person and the eligible family members who come with them through these measures.
What an anchor does
To confirm they intend to support you and your family members, the anchor must complete the statutory declaration form (IMM 5992) (opens in a new tab) stating they intend to
- meet you at the airport and get you to where you’re staying
- help you find temporary and permanent housing
- make sure you have food, clothes and other basic needs
- introduce you to life in Canada (for example, public transportation, banking, shopping, rights and responsibilities)
- help you
- interpret information
- open a bank account
- enrol in provincial and federal programs and benefits (for example, social insurance number, public health insurance)
- find a family doctor, dentist, eye care and arrange any other medical needs
- enrol children in school, child care
- enrol adults in language training
- access support services to find a job