Canada has extended temporary immigration measures
The new measures are scheduled to remain in effect until December 30, 2027, although IRCC may revoke the policy earlier without prior notice.
Canada Extends Open Work Permit Support
Under the new policy, eligible Palestinians and certain family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents can apply from within Canada to extend an open work permit that was previously issued under one of the special immigration measures introduced since 2023.
Each eligible foreign national can receive only one work permit extension under the new 2026 public policy.
Who Can Qualify for a Work Permit Extension?
To qualify under the extension policy, an applicant must generally meet the specific conditions established by IRCC. For Palestinian nationals, the applicant must:
- Hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority.
- Be in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
- Hold a valid open work permit that was issued under one of the previous Palestinian-related public policies.
- Apply from within Canada for the work permit renewal.
- Not have previously received an exemption under the new 2026 public policy.
Eligible foreign national family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents must also meet specific conditions, including having left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023, maintaining valid temporary resident status and holding a qualifying work permit issued under one of the previous public policies.
Family Members of Canadians and Permanent Residents
The measures also cover certain foreign nationals who are family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The eligible family relationship can include:
- A spouse or common-law partner
- A dependent child
- A dependent child of a spouse or common-law partner
- Certain dependent children of dependent children, as defined under Canada’s immigration regulations
The applicant’s Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member must have left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023 under the applicable policy conditions.
Seven Previous Policies Covered
The new work permit extension policy applies to qualifying work permits issued under seven previous temporary public policies. These include measures introduced in:
- • December 2023
- March 2024
- June 2024
- July 2025
The policies covered both Palestinian nationals in Canada and eligible foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents affected by the crisis. This means the 2026 policy is primarily an extension measure for people who already benefited from Canada’s earlier special immigration measures.
When Does the New Policy Apply?
The new temporary public policy applies to eligible applications received on or after August 1, 2026. The policy will remain in effect until December 30, 2027, unless it is revoked earlier.
The extension follows the Government of Canada’s decision to continue special immigration measures because of the ongoing volatility in Palestine. The previous measures were scheduled to expire on July 31, 2026.
Standard Application Fees Apply
Unlike some of the newer measures available to Palestinians who had not previously benefited from the special policies, standard processing fees apply to work permit extensions under this particular extension policy.
Applicants should therefore carefully review the applicable application instructions before submitting their work permit renewal.
Applicants Must Maintain Temporary Resident Status
Applicants are also required to remain in Canada when the application is made and when a decision is made, according to IRCC’s current instructions. Temporary resident permit holders are treated differently under the measures. If they need to extend their stay, they generally need to apply for another temporary resident permit through the applicable process.
Work Permit Extension Is Not Automatic
The new policy does not mean that every Palestinian national or family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident automatically receives a new work permit. Applicants must satisfy the conditions of the public policy and continue to meet applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements.
IRCC specifically states that the policy provides an exemption from the requirement under paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations concerning the circumstances in which a work permit may ordinarily be issued. Other applicable requirements are not automatically waived.
Other Admissibility Requirements Still Apply
Eligible applicants remain subject to other applicable immigration requirements.
According to IRCC, applicants must continue to satisfy applicable admissibility requirements. These can include issues related to criminality, medical inadmissibility and financial circumstances, among other requirements. Therefore, eligibility for the special work permit measure does not guarantee approval.
How Long Can the Work Permit Be Issued?
The duration of an open work permit issued under the policy is determined by the immigration officer. CIC News reports that officers are generally instructed to consider validity periods of up to two years, or until the expiry of the foreign national’s travel document, whichever comes first.
The actual validity period can therefore depend on the applicant’s circumstances and the officer’s decision.
Canada Also Introduced Measures for Palestinians Who Arrive by 2027
Under that policy, eligible individuals who did not previously apply under the earlier Palestinian special measures may be able to apply from within Canada for fee-exempt open work permits, study permits, temporary resident permits or temporary status extensions, depending on their circumstances. This broader measure is also scheduled to remain in place until December 30, 2027.
Canada's Continued Support for Displaced Palestinians
As of May 31, 2026, Canada reported 2,383 valid work permits and 236 valid study permits issued to Palestinian passport holders in Canada. The government also stated that Canada continues to provide eligible displaced Palestinians with temporary financial assistance, interim federal health coverage and access to settlement services after arrival.
What the Latest Measures Mean for Applicants
The 2026 extension provides continued work authorization options for a specific group of Palestinians and eligible family members already in Canada. For individuals holding a qualifying open work permit issued under the previous special measures, the new policy may provide an opportunity to extend their authorization to work without having to rely on the ordinary work permit eligibility categories.
However, applicants should carefully verify that their existing permit was issued under one of the qualifying previous policies and that they satisfy all the current requirements.
Key Takeaways
- A new temporary public policy took effect on August 1, 2026.
- Eligible Palestinians and certain family members can apply to extend qualifying open work permits.
- Applicants must generally be in Canada with valid temporary resident status.
- Palestinian nationals must hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority.
- Eligible family members can include spouses, common-law partners and dependent children.
- The applicant must generally have left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023, where required by the policy.
- The applicant must hold a qualifying work permit issued under one of the previous special public policies.
- Each qualifying applicant can receive only one extension under the new policy.
- Standard application fees apply to these work permit extensions.
- The policy is scheduled to remain in effect until December 30, 2027.
- Other immigration and admissibility requirements continue to apply.
- Work permit validity is determined by an immigration officer and may generally be considered for up to two years, subject to applicable conditions.
Start Your Canada Immigration Journey Today!
If you are a Palestinian national or an eligible family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident and are currently in Canada under one of the special temporary measures, understanding the latest work permit rules can help you determine your available options. Applicants should review their current immigration status, existing work permit, previous public policy under which the permit was issued and the requirements of the new 2026 measures before submitting an application. Canada Immigration Global provides guidance to individuals and families exploring Canadian immigration pathways, including work permits, study permits, permanent residence, family sponsorship and other Canadian immigration options.
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Disclaimer
This article is provided for informational and educational purposes only and does not constitute legal or immigration advice. Immigration programs, processing times, eligibility requirements, and application procedures may change without notice. Readers should consult official Government of Canada resources or seek professional immigration advice before making any immigration decisions.
