Canada has established a temporary public policy to support eligible foreign nationals from Palestine and certain family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents seeking open work permit extensions from within Canada.
Policy supports open work permit extensions from within Canada
The policy continues facilitation for eligible foreign nationals from Palestine who hold temporary resident status in Canada. It is intended to support continued access to open work permit extensions, with standard fees.
It applies to eligible holders of passports or travel documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, as well as eligible foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023. The policy concerns people who currently hold work permits issued on the basis of exemptions under previous public policies supporting nationals of Palestine in Canada as temporary residents.
Eligibility conditions set out in the public policy
For nationals of Palestine in Canada as temporary residents, the public policy requires the foreign national to hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority, have valid temporary resident status in Canada, apply from within Canada for a work permit renewal, and not have already received an exemption under this policy.
The policy also covers foreign national family members, as defined in the Regulations, of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023. The family member must also have left Palestine on or after that date.
Other requirements still apply
Delegated officers may grant an exemption from the regulatory requirement identified in the public policy when its conditions are met. Eligible foreign nationals remain subject to other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements that are not otherwise exempted.
Effective period
The public policy takes effect on August 1, 2026, and expires on December 30, 2027. It applies to applications received on or after its effective date and before it expires or is revoked. The policy may be revoked at any time without prior notice.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does the public policy remove all immigration requirements?
No. Foreign nationals eligible under the policy remain subject to all other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements that are not otherwise exempted.
Source: Official IRCC announcement