Canada Alert: Temporary Measures for Israelis and Palestinians affected by Gaza Conflict

Effective December 21, 2023, Canada has introduced measures to allow for fee-exempt study or open work permits inside of Canada. These measures are for people who:

  1. Have family members who are Canadian Citizens or Permanent Residents and who have left Israel and/or the Palestinian Territories.
  2. Israeli and Palestinians already in Canada who have valid temporary resident status (worker, student, visitor).

At this time, family members are defined as immediate family members, including spouses, common-law partners, and children (regardless of age).

The IRCC has also indicated in the announcement that they are working on temporary measures to support temporary residence for extended family members living in Gaza (i.e. siblings, parents, grandparents, and grandchildren), based on their ability to complete admissibility checks (police checks, medicals etc.) as well as their ability to prove their relationship to their eligible relations inside of Canada (birth/baptismal certificates etc.).

Erickson Insights
The situation in Israel, Gaza, and the region is ongoing and subject to sudden change quickly and without notice. Additional information is available on EIG’s dedicated Israel & Gaza Information Report.
More information on these measures will be circulated as they become available. Please feel free to reach out to us for assessments on eligibility for interested employees on a case-by-case basis.Erickson Immigration Group will continue to share updates as more news is available. If you have questions about anything we’re reporting above or case-specific questions, please contact your employer or EIG attorney.