Arriving in Canada
On this page
- Documents to bring
- When you arrive at the airport in Canada
- Apply for a study permit or open work permit in Canada
- Apply to extend your visitor status in Canada
- Temporary health care coverage
- Get free settlement services
Documents to bring
Make sure you have the following documents with you when you travel to Canada:
- valid passport (or other travel document)
- Your passport must have a valid temporary resident visa counterfoil or valid temporary resident permit counterfoil in it
- certificate for the Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP)
- We send you this certificate after your application is approved.
- It proves you’re eligible for temporary health care coverage in Canada.
- copy of the decision letter you got when your application was approved
The following documents are not required but may make your arrival in Canada easier:
- birth certificates
- marriage or divorce certificates
- identification documents, such as a driver’s licence
- adoption certificates for adopted children
- immunization or vaccination records for children
When you arrive at the airport in Canada
When you get to the airport, you need to verify your identity and complete your declaration. Depending on which airport you arrive at, this may be done
- on screen using a primary inspection kiosk or eGate , or
- with a border services officer from the Canada Border Services Agency
You must tell a border services officer that you came to Canada under the Gaza special measures
When you speak to a border services officer, tell them that you came to Canada under the Gaza special measures. The officer will refer you for a secondary immigration examination.
During the secondary immigration examination, a border services officer will help you finalize your entry into Canada.
Get your temporary resident document from the officer
Make sure you get a temporary resident document from the border services officer.
A temporary resident document is a document that details your immigration status in Canada. Depending on your situation, you’ll get a visitor record or a temporary resident permit.
Your document will include
- how long you can stay in Canada
- the keyword “MOME2023” under the remarks section
- Make sure your document has this keyword. It is used to identify you as somebody who came to Canada under the Gaza special measures and will allow you to get free settlement services in Canada.
- If the keyword is missing, make sure you tell the Canada Border Services Agency officer before you leave the examination area. Ask them for a new temporary resident document that includes the “MOME2023” keyword.
- any conditions that you must follow while in Canada
In most cases, your period of stay will be for up to 3 years, as long as your passport and biometrics are valid for the entire time.
If your passport or biometrics expire in less than 3 years, your temporary resident document will expire at the same time.
However, you can apply to extend your status before it expires.
Apply for a study permit or open work permit in Canada
If you want to study or work while you’re in Canada, you need to apply for a study permit or a work permit.
You can apply for one, for free, under the in-Canada temporary measures.
How to apply for a study permit or open work permit
Apply to extend your visitor status in Canada
If you were given a length of stay of less than 3 years, you can apply to extend your visitor status in Canada, for free, under the in-Canada temporary measures.
Before you apply, make sure your passport and biometrics are up-to-date.
How to apply to extend your visitor status
Temporary health care coverage
You’re eligible for free temporary health care coverage in Canada through the IFHP.
After your application is approved, we’ll return your passport and give you an IFHP certificate at the same time.
About the certificate
- You must have this certificate to get coverage under the IFHP.
- You need to show it to health care providers to get eligible health products and services.
- You and each family member that came with you should have your own certificate.
If you don’t get an IFHP certificate when you get your passport back, you can contact us to request one.
About the coverage
Coverage is valid for 3 months, starting on the date you enter Canada, regardless of the date on your certificate. This coverage includes basic, supplementary and prescription drug coverage and the cost of 1 immigration medical exam, if required.
Learn more about the coverage and how to get products and services.
Get free settlement services
While in Canada, you can get free settlement services from an IRCC-funded service provider organization.
To get services, you must have the “MOME2023” keyword under the “Remarks” section on your temporary resident document, such as your
- visitor record
- temporary resident permit
- study permit (if you applied for one)
- open work permit (if you applied for one)
If your temporary resident document doesn’t have the “MOME2023” keyword and you left the secure zone at the airport, you can contact us to request an updated document.
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