Ottawa Raises Temporary Resident Visa Limits for Palestinians
Ottawa is implementing a new 5,000-person limit on temporary resident visas for Palestinians seeking refuge from the Gaza Strip, a significant increase from the previous program announced in January that only allowed 1,000 visas.
According to Immigration Minister Marc Miller, this decision comes after positive indications that Israel will approve a program to evacuate Palestinian relatives of Canadian citizens from the Gaza Strip before potential military action in Rafah.
The initial Gaza program allowed for 1,000 applications to be processed, all of which had completed the necessary paperwork for further biometric processing in Egypt. By May 24, 2,903 applications had reached this stage, as stated by Mr. Miller.
As of April 29, Immigration Canada had issued 179 temporary resident permits through the Gaza plan, although it is uncertain if any individuals have arrived in Canada under this program.
“I want to reassure family members that Canada is making every possible effort at every level to facilitate the safe departure of their loved ones,” Mr. Miller affirmed. “Despite our limited success thus far, we are persevering and will not give up on bringing family members to safety.”
Temporary Resident Pathway
The immigration minister’s remarks come amidst growing criticism of the measures introduced by Ottawa to evacuate relatives of Canadians from conflict zones in the Gaza Strip and Sudan.
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The NDP has criticized the government for mishandling both the Gaza and Sudan programs without learning from previous challenges faced when resettling Afghans after the Taliban’s takeover of Kabul.
A memo obtained through Access to Information revealed that the Immigration Department anticipated a high volume of applications despite the 1,000-person cap initially set for the program.
Mr. Miller’s memo in December stated that while capping arrivals at 1,000 would provide some certainty, a substantial number of applications were expected.
The federal government launched the “temporary resident pathway” for extended family members in Gaza of Canadian citizens and permanent residents on Jan. 9.
This program was initiated in response to appeals from Palestinian Canadians seeking assistance in saving their loved ones amidst the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict.
Successful applicants under the temporary residency program can seek refuge in Canada for three years with financial support provided by their families. Eligible relatives include spouses, children, parents, and other immediate family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Gaza has been under continuous attack since Hamas targeted southern Israel on Oct. 7, resulting in casualties and kidnappings. Israel has conducted military operations in response, specifically in Rafah, citing the area as a crucial stronghold for Hamas.
Foreign Affairs Minister Melanie Joly has called for a ceasefire to halt the escalating human suffering in the region.
Sudan Program
The Sudan program offers permanent residency, unlike the Gaza program which has a three-year limit.
“Geopolitical considerations, especially related to the perceived evacuation of Gaza and Canada’s involvement in it, were the primary reasons for not making the program permanent,” Mr. Miller clarified during his testimony.
Mr. Miller highlighted the outbreak of civil war in Sudan last spring, explaining that the Sudan program requires thorough processing as it involves granting permanent residency.
Canada is also accepting refugees from Sudan through government and private sponsorship, with nearly 1,000 refugees approved for resettlement in Canada over the past year.
Under the Sudan program, Ottawa is receiving 3,250 applications, which will result in around 7,000 individuals relocating to Canada, based on logistical capacity and security considerations, with the potential for expansion.
The Canadian Press contributed to this report.
