Recently, Canada launched a new TR Pathway for Canadian Citizens’ & PRs’ Gaza Families to support them in finding a temporary, safer place to live. This new TR pathway, or temporary resident pathway, became effective yesterday, on January 9, 2024. It aims to assist close family members of Canadian citizens and PRs residing in Gaza.

TR Pathway for Canadian Citizens’ & PRs’ Gaza Families

The federal government in Canada has expanded and implemented measures that it first revealed in December to support Canadian’s families in the region. 

As per the Canadian government, the immediate family members of Palestinian Canadians would now qualify for Canadian temporary residence under this new pathway. 

The near family members of Canadian citizens and Permanent Residents include the following:

• Spouses and Common-law partners
• Parents and Grandparents
• Children and Grandchildren
• Siblings

Additionally, the nearest family members of the above groups, including the common-law partner, spouse, dependent child, and dependent child of a dependent child, will also qualify under this new TR pathway. 

The temporary resident visas given under this program will have a validity period of a maximum of three years or until the applicant’s passport expires. 

It’s notable that according to the immigration department, IRCC applicants under this pathway and other special humanitarian measures will still be required to satisfy all the admissibility requirements. This also includes biometrics requirements before they get approval to come to Canada.

Steps or possibilities for eligible individuals after reaching Canada

Eligible immigrants under the TR pathway for Canadian Citizens’ & PRs’ Gaza families may wonder what will happen after they enter Canada. For this, IRCC has already started to reveal the possibilities after the individuals enter Canada. 

As per the recent announcement, eligible temporary residents are able to apply for a fee-exempt study permit or open work permit after coming to Canada as per the measures previously advised by IRCC.

As per IRCC, this will help eligible newcomers better establish themselves in Canada during the crisis. 

Additionally, TRs entering Canada under this new pathway will be provided with “three months of health coverage under the Interim Federal Health Program.” This will aid in managing urgent medical needs after their arrival in Canada.

Moreover, as per the recent IRCC announcement, eligible TRs will also be able to access “settlement services.” These include support connecting with the labor market and local community and language training. 

The above-mentioned steps will be effective until January 9, 2025, or until the cap of 1000 TR visa applications is attained and goes under processing, whichever is reached first.

Nevertheless, the Canadian government has declared that it will actively monitor the situation and application levels in order to properly handle immigration measures as needed.

The immigration department further revealed that it would expedite the processing of Palestinians’ current permanent residence applications within family-based streams whenever possible.

Notably, the IRCC department has also arranged a dedicated service channel for individuals in Canada and overseas.