In-Canada temporary measures for foreign nationals of Palestine arriving in Canada as temporary residents on or before September 30, 2027
Note: These instructions apply to applications received on or after August 1, 2026. Officers processing applications submitted from August 1, 2025 up to and including July 31, 2026 should refer to the instructions found in the following: In-Canada temporary measures to support foreign nationals in response to the crisis in the state of Palestine.
These instructions apply to IRCC employees. Given that applicants cannot submit their applications at a port of entry, the instructions do not apply to border services officers.
These instructions provide operational guidance related to the Temporary public policy for foreign nationals of Palestine who will arrive in Canada as temporary residents on or before September 30, 2027.
This public policy provides access to fee-exempt open work permits, study permits, temporary resident permits and extensions of temporary resident status for eligible foreign nationals of Palestine and eligible foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who had an authorized period of stay in Canada that began on or before September 30, 2027 at the time of application, and who have not previously received facilitation under earlier temporary public policies related to the crisis in Gaza.
This temporary public policy takes effect on August 1, 2026 and expires on December 30, 2027.
All standard eligibility and admissibility requirements not otherwise exempted must be met by clients. Applicants who do not meet these requirements may have their applications refused.
On this page
Background
The situation in Gaza remains volatile since the attack by Hamas on October 7, 2023, which triggered an Israeli response that resulted in the death of thousands of Palestinians and destroyed large swathes of Gaza.
Many foreign nationals, including family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who fled Palestine as a result of the conflict, are in Canada on temporary status, or remain overseas and have pending applications for temporary resident visas. This includes applications under the Updated Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family affected by the Crisis in Gaza. Some of these foreign nationals remain unable to return home due to the conflict.
Eligibility
Under this temporary public policy, the following clients may be eligible to apply from within Canada for a fee-exempt open work permit, study permit, temporary resident permit or extension of temporary resident status. Officers must confirm that the applicant has not previously been granted an exemption under one of the following public policies:
- Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as temporary residents, signed on December 16, 2023;
- Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who are family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories on or after October 7, 2023, signed on December 16, 2023;
- Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and Palestine who are in Canada as a temporary resident, signed on March 7, 2024;
- Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who are family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories on or after October 7, 2023, signed on March 7, 2024;
- Updated temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as temporary residents – Extension, signed on June 11, 2024;
- Updated temporary public policy for foreign nationals who are family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories on or after October 7, 2023 – Extension, signed on June 11, 2024; or
- Temporary public policy for foreign nationals of the Palestinian Territories who are in Canada as temporary residents, signed on July 31, 2025
Applicants must also meet the requirements of one of the following eligibility groups:
- Foreign nationals who:
- hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority;
- are in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
- have an authorized period of stay in Canada that began on or before September 30, 2027, at the time of application.
- Foreign nationals who:
- are a family member, as defined in subsection 1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023;
- left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023;
- are in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
- have an authorized period of stay in Canada that began on or before September 30, 2027, at the time of application.
Notes:
- Clients are not eligible to apply under this public policy at a port of entry.
- To be eligible for the above-noted measures, a foreign national family member is not required to have travelled to Canada with their Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member.
Family member definition
In these instructions, a family member is defined as per subsection 1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) as:
- the spouse or common-law partner of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident;
- the dependent children of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or of their spouse or common-law partner; and
- the dependent children of those dependent children (grandchildren of the Canadian citizen or permanent resident, or of their spouse or common-law partner)
A dependent child is a child who is:
- under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship
- 22 years or older and unable to financially self-support due to a physical or mental condition
Valid temporary resident status
To meet the valid temporary resident status requirement in the eligibility criteria set out above, a foreign national must:
- be physically present in Canada at the time of application and when a decision is made
- have been authorized to enter as a temporary resident under section 22 or 24 of the IRPA
- be within their period of authorized stay as a temporary resident at the time of their application
Officers must verify that the applicant's temporary resident status reflects an authorized period of stay that began on or before September 30, 2027 at the time of application submission. An applicant who obtained temporary resident status based on a period of stay that began after this date does not meet this eligibility requirement, even if they hold valid temporary resident status at the time of application.
Important: With regards to presence in Canada and determining when a foreign national’s temporary resident status is effective, under section 47(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and subsection 183(4)(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR), a foreign national who leaves Canada no longer holds temporary resident status. A foreign national must be re-examined and meet the requirements for entry as a temporary resident upon every return to Canada. This restarts the effective date of their temporary resident status. As such, travel outside Canada before applying under the public policy may affect an applicant’s eligibility.
Temporary absences, after submitting an application, do not, on their own, affect an applicant’s eligibility.
Officers should be satisfied that the applicant is in Canada before making a final decision. In addition to considering all documents provided by the applicant, officers may consult the Entry/Exit Program . If entry/exit results reveal that the applicant has left Canada, the officer should send a request for proof of status in Canada.
Maintained status
Clients who apply to extend or change the conditions of their stay before it expires maintain their status as per R183(5) while their application is processed. Officers should refer to Temporary residents: Maintained status during processing (previously called implied status) for additional instructions. This does not apply to temporary resident permit (TRP) holders. If the applicant is applying for a new or subsequent TRP, officers should refer to Temporary resident permits (TRPs) for additional guidance.
Restoration of temporary resident status
To be eligible under this temporary public policy, the applicant must be within their authorized period of stay at time of application submission.
Foreign nationals who have lost their temporary resident status in Canada may apply through regular channels to restore their temporary resident status. Officers should refer to Restoration of temporary resident status for additional guidance.
Applicable restoration fees are not waived under this public policy and must be paid by the client.
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
Program-specific special measures
Issuing work permits or renewals in Canada
This public policy provides eligible individuals with access to apply for fee-exempt work permits and work permit renewals from within Canada.
The following fees for eligible clients are exempted:
- initial or renewal of work permit – exemption code 999
- open work permit holder – exemption code P03
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
The validity period of the initial work permit or work permit renewal under this temporary public policy is subject to the client’s passport or biometrics validity, as well as the discretion of the processing officer, however officers may consider issuing the permit for up to 3 years from the date of decision.
Public policy open work permit application
The public policy allows eligible temporary residents in Canada to submit an application for an open work permit, and exempts applicants from the usual requirement to qualify for a work permit under an existing work permit category. This will allow foreign nationals who are already in Canada to support themselves until they are able to return to the region.
Officers should refer to Open work permit – General processing and issuance – International Mobility Program (IMP) for additional guidance.
Regular work permit application
Applications submitted in the regular work permit categories under sections R204 to R208 for Palestinian nationals and foreign national family members should be processed as per the instructions for the specific work permit category.
Applications submitted with an LMIA for nationals of Palestine and foreign national family members should be processed as per the instructions: Labour Market Impact Assessment Review.
Issuing open work permits in the Global Case Management System (GCMS)
The instructions on this page should be reviewed in conjunction with:
The exemptions under this public policy are granted under the authority of section 25.2 of the IRPA. Applicants are still required to meet the other requirements for work permit issuance.
In GCMS on the Application screen, officers should enter the information below in the specified fields:
| Field | Selection or input |
|---|---|
| Case type | 20 |
| Province of destination | Unknown |
| Exemption code | R01 Public policies issued under section A25.2 (inside Canada) This code should be entered manually |
| Employer | Open |
| Intended occupation | Open |
| NOC | 99999 |
| Fee waivers | For family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who arrive via Gaza special pathway only:
|
| Conditions | Officers should ensure that instructions provided in Work permit issuance in the Global Case Management System (GCMS): Unrestricted are followed. If the applicant has not completed a medical examination and
|
| Biometrics | Work permit applicants are required to provide biometric information and pay the biometric fee – $85. The regular biometric exemptions apply (for example, age or 1 in 10). |
| User remarks (mandatory) | Palestine temporary public policy / Politique d’intérêt public temporaire visant la Palestine (always included) MOME2023 (only if client meets eligibility) |
| Duration | Officers hold the delegated authority to determine the authorized period of stay, but are encouraged to consider issuing the work permit or work permit renewal with a validity of up to 3 years or passport or biometric validity, whichever is first. |
Issuing study permits or renewals in Canada
This public policy provides eligible individuals with access to apply fee-exempt for a study permit or study permit renewal from within Canada.
Note: Applicants under these measures are exempt from the provincial attestation letter (PAL) requirement, as they are covered by a public policy that forms part of Canada's migration response to a crisis.
The following fees for eligible clients are to be waived:
- initial or renewal of study permit – exemption code 999
Officers should refer to the fee list: Fee list.
All applicants must submit their study permitapplication by following the instructions to apply for a study permit.
Study permit validity should be tied to the specified period of study (and passport validity).
Officers should refer to Temporary Residents: Students for additional guidance.
Issuing temporary resident permits (TRPs) in Canada
This public policy provides eligible individuals with access to apply fee-exempt for a TRP from within Canada.
The following fees for eligible clients are to be waived:
- temporary resident permit (if applicable) – exemption code “999”
Officers should refer to the fee list: Fee list.
Officers should refer to Temporary resident permits (TRPs) for additional guidance.
Issuing visitor records in Canada
This public policy provides eligible individuals with access to apply fee-exempt for a visitor record from within Canada.
The following fees for eligible clients are exempted:
- visitor record – exemption code 999
Officers should refer to the Fee list.
The visitor record issued following an in-Canada application typically includes an extension of 6 months, but this may vary depending on the circumstances of the case.
Officers should refer to Temporary residents: Visitor record for additional guidance.
Refusals for ineligible clients
Officers may encounter applications submitted from clients who are ineligible for this temporary public policy. If an officer has determined that the applicant does not meet the eligibility requirements, the application should be refused.
Officers should record their reasons for decision as per the instructions in: Decision making: Standard of review and process for making a reasonable decision. Refusal reasons should clearly indicate what requirements were not met and explain how the conclusion was reached.
If a refusal is warranted, officers should select “Other” ground, and include the following comment: You do not meet the eligibility requirements as required under the Temporary public policy for foreign nationals of Palestine who will arrive in Canada as temporary residents on or before September 30, 2027.
Medical exams
Foreign nationals may be eligible for a medical reassessment or an exemption from a subsequent immigration medical examination (IME) under the Temporary public policy to exempt certain foreign nationals from the IME.
In-Canada supports
The following clients may be eligible for Interim Federal Health Program coverage, one-time transitional financial assistance, and federally funded settlement services:
- Foreign nationals holding a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority who:
- left Gaza on or after September 1, 2023;
- arrived in Canada by December 31, 2026; and
- have valid temporary resident status in Canada.
- Foreign national family members, as defined in subsection 1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, of a person described in group 1 who:
- arrived in Canada by December 31, 2026; and
- have valid temporary resident status in Canada.
- Foreign nationals assisted in their departure from Gaza or the West Bank by the Government of Canada between November 1, 2023, and December 31, 2024, who:
- have valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Important: Clients who meet the above eligibility must have a temporary resident document with the MOME2023 keyword in the remarks section at the bottom of the document. This remark ensures that clients can apply for a one-time transitional financial assistance payment and access IRCC-funded settlement services from service provider organizations.
Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage
Palestinian nationals, their immediate family members, as well as foreign national family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who left Palestine and who arrive in Canada may be eligible for IFHP coverage.
Note that Canadian citizens are not eligible. Clients must be in Canada to be eligible for IFHP coverage.
IFHP certificates are issued to eligible Palestinian clients overseas when a TRV is issued. If a client did not receive their IFHP certificate, they may submit a request to obtain one from within Canada.
Transitional Financial Assistance
Clients must contact the RAP Centralized Team by email to request Transitional Financial Assistance. The RAP Centralized Team will respond with instructions on how to submit a complete application.
Eligible clients may be issued a one-time financial assistance payment.
Applicants must continue to meet all eligibility criteria from the time they submit their application until the RAP Centralized Team completes the eligibility assessment.
The amount of transitional financial assistance payable to eligible applicants is as follows:
- $3,000 per adult (18 years and older)
- $1,500 per child (17 years and under)
Settlement Services
Eligible clients may access federally funded settlement services until December 31, 2026. To be eligible, they must show settlement service provider organizations their temporary resident document with the MOME2023 remark.
MOME2023 remark
The MOME2023 remark identifies clients who may be eligible for transitional financial assistance and provides access to federally funded settlement services. This remark must be included on the client’s temporary residence document. Service provider organizations (SPOs) use this remark to determine whether a client qualifies for federally funded settlement services.
Amending temporary resident documents missing the MOME2023 remark
If an eligible client does not receive the MOME2023 remark at the port of entry or does not receive a subsequent document containing it, they will need to have their temporary resident document amended in order to access federally funded settlement services.
To initiate the amendment process, the client should notify IRCC through the crisis notification web form. The Client Support Centre will refer the case directly to the HIOB. If the client is confirmed eligible for settlement services, their temporary resident document should be amended to include the MOME2023 remark.