Canada extends work permit measures under safe haven for Palestinians and family members of Canadians

Canada has introduced a new temporary public policy that extends open‑work‑permit eligibility for Palestinians and for family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who left Palestine after 7 October 2023.

Key points of the policy

• Publication and duration – Announced on 24 August 2026, the policy applies to applications received on or after 1 August 2026 and remains in force until 30 December 2027, but can be revoked at any time without notice.

• Eligibility – To receive a single work‑permit extension an applicant must:

  1. Have left Palestine on or after 7 October 2023;
  2. Hold valid temporary‑resident status in Canada; and
  3. Be either
     • a national of Palestine holding a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority, or
     • a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who left Palestine on or after 7 October 2023.

• Family‑member definition – The policy uses the definition in Canada’s Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations:

  • spouse or common‑law partner;
  • dependent child (under 22 years, not married or in a common‑law relationship);
  • dependent child of the spouse/common‑law partner;
  • dependent child of a dependent child; or
  • dependent child of the dependent child of the spouse/common‑law partner.

  A child aged 22 or older may be considered dependent only if financially dependent on the parents before turning 22 and remains dependent because of a physical or mental condition.

• Applicable earlier measures – The extension applies to work permits originally issued under any of the following seven temporary public policies:

  1. Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories (signed 16 Dec 2023);
  2. Temporary public policy for family members of Canadian citizens/permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories (signed 16 Dec 2023);
  3. Temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories (signed 7 Mar 2024);
  4. Temporary public policy for family members of Canadian citizens/permanent residents who left Israel or the Palestinian Territories (signed 7 Mar 2024);
  5. Updated temporary public policy for nationals of Israel and the Palestinian Territories – Extension (signed 11 Jun 2024);
  6. Updated temporary public policy for family members of Canadian citizens/permanent residents – Extension (signed 11 Jun 2024);
  7. Temporary public policy for foreign nationals of the Palestinian Territories (signed 31 Jul 2025).

• Exemptions and remaining requirements – Applicants are exempt from the usual requirement to fall under the International Mobility Program or the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations). They must still satisfy all general temporary‑resident criteria, including:

  • No inadmissibility for criminal reasons or prohibitive medical conditions;
  • Ability to financially support themselves while in Canada;
  • Convincing the officer of an intention to leave Canada at the end of the authorized stay.

• Work‑permit duration – Issuance periods are at the discretion of the immigration officer, typically up to two years or until the holder’s travel document expires, whichever comes first.

This policy provides a limited, one‑time extension for eligible individuals, aiming to protect those who fled the conflict in Palestine from losing their legal right to work in Canada.

Source article: www.cicnews.com