Canada has opened a limited‑time window for nationals and former residents of Israel and Palestine to re‑apply for protection status after a prior refusal. The measure, announced on 29 September 2026, allows eligible individuals to submit a new Pre‑Removal Risk Assessment (PRRA) and potentially obtain permanent residence as protected persons.
Who can apply
- Persons who received a final negative decision on an asylum claim or on a previous PRRA between 28 September 2025 and 29 September 2026.
- Those whose case was finally rejected by the Federal Court during the same period.
What the PRRA route entails
- A PRRA is the last‑resort avenue for individuals facing removal; it assesses whether return would expose them to persecution, torture, or a risk of death.
- If the PRRA is approved, the applicant is recognized as a protected person and may subsequently apply for Canadian permanent residence.
- If the PRRA is denied, the individual must leave Canada and, in most cases, cannot remain under a removal order.
Changes to the standard process
- Standard blackout period: Previously, a negative decision barred a new PRRA filing for 12 months.
- New provision: The government has temporarily waived this blackout for the specified cohort, granting a “second chance” to re‑file within the eligibility window.
- No extension beyond 29 September 2026: Decisions rendered after this date will already reflect current conditions, so the waiver does not apply.
Practical steps
- Confirm eligibility – verify that the negative decision falls within the 28 Sept 2025 – 29 Sept 2026 window.
- Submit a PRRA – follow the instructions in the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) guide Guide 5523 – Applying for a Removal Risk Assessment.
- Await CBSA notification – a PRRA can generally be filed only while an enforceable removal order is in place and after the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) informs the individual of the right to apply.
- If approved, proceed to apply for permanent residence as a protected person.
Key considerations
- The opportunity is time‑limited; applicants must act before the 29 September 2026 deadline.
- A successful PRRA does not guarantee permanent residence automatically; a separate application is required.
- Individuals whose negative decisions were issued after the deadline are ineligible for this second‑chance provision.
This policy provides a narrow but significant pathway for at‑risk individuals from Israel and Palestine to remain in Canada and pursue long‑term residency.
Source article: www.cicnews.com
