GuideCAN impact rating
Important
Permit-extension and fee-exemption options may apply to eligible people.
What happened?
IRCC updated temporary measures for Palestinians who are in Canada and cannot return home, as well as eligible people who arrive through the temporary resident pathway.
The updated measures have two components that are scheduled to expire on December 30, 2027.
What changed?
- Eligible people in Canada with valid temporary resident status and a valid open work permit issued under a qualifying earlier policy may apply for one work-permit extension under the new policy. Standard processing fees apply, and they must be in Canada when applying and when a decision is made.
- Eligible Palestinians who enter Canada on or before September 30, 2027 may apply from inside Canada for specified fee-exempt documents or status extensions if they have not previously applied for an open work permit, study permit or extension of their stay under the listed earlier policies. Application-specific status requirements also apply.
- Visitor and study-permit extensions continue through existing IRCC channels.
What changed since the previous position?
Previous position
The earlier special measures were scheduled to expire on July 31, 2026.
Current position
Updated measures provide specified options through December 30, 2027, subject to eligibility and an arrival cutoff.
Who is affected?
- Eligible Palestinians already in Canada under earlier temporary measures.
- Eligible Palestinians who arrive in Canada on or before September 30, 2027.
- Eligible foreign-national family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, where both the applicant and their Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023. This is a separate eligibility route with its own requirements.
- People needing to extend a work permit, study permit, visitor status or temporary resident status.
What this means for you
- The extension does not automatically renew a permit or status. Eligible people still need to apply through the correct process before their documents expire.
- Fee treatment differs by application type and circumstances. Confirm the current instructions on Canada.ca before paying or submitting.
What should you do next?
- 1Check the official notice and linked eligibility instructions.
- 2Record the expiry date on your current immigration document.
- 3Apply before your current status expires when an extension is needed.
- 4Keep proof of submission and copies of supporting documents.
Does this affect me?
Start with your current status
Official sources
This GuideCAN summary was checked against the linked Government of Canada sources.
IRCC notice: Canada updates temporary measures for PalestiniansIRCC: Current eligibility and application instructions for Palestine temporary measuresThis article is general information, not legal advice or an eligibility decision. Immigration rules, dates and program instructions can change. Confirm your situation with IRCC or an authorized immigration professional.