ARCHIVED – Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as temporary residents

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 Palestinian passport holders 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 Considerations:

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 study permits and/or open work permits in Canada and thereby move between temporary resident streams. This will ensure they 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 Palestinian Territory passport holder;
   2. Is in Canada with valid temporary resident status; and
   3. Has applied for a work permit under section 200 or 201 of the Regulations.
2. The foreign national
   1. Is an Israeli national or Palestinian Territory passport holder;
   2. Is in Canada with valid temporary resident status; and
   3. has applied for a study permit under section 216 of the Regulations.

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

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 1)

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

For foreign nationals who meet the conditions listed in 2)

• Section 213 of the Regulations – the requirement to apply for a study permit before entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 215(1)(a)-(g) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit after entering Canada;
• 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 three business days after the date of signature.

This public policy applies to applications received on or after the date it comes into effect.

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