IRCC to process more permits for Gaza’s Palestinian families. It will process under the temporary special measures for Palestinian extended family members residing in Gaza. More licenses for Palestinian families living in Gaza are intended to be accommodated by this extension, so that more people will be able to take use of these humanitarian allowances. The IRCC’s pledge to approve more permits demonstrates its continued efforts to assist marginalized communities and bring families devastated by the Gaza conflict back together.
The department declared in January of last year that it would be processing one thousand applications for temporary residence visas for those who are now in Gaza who are relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Immigration Minister Marc Miller announced on May 27 that the IRCC will process an additional 5,000 applications.
He mentioned that more site codes have been released by the IRCC in recent weeks to allow clients to apply for TRVs. He noted that there are currently restrictions on leaving Gaza, but highlighted that anything might happen at any time. We will be prepared to assist more people as the situation changes thanks to this cap hike. Our priority is still maintaining intact families.
To expedite departures from Gaza, the IRCC is collaborating with local authorities. They are providing them with the names of individuals who have passed preliminary screening.
Eligibility Criteria – Who Qualifies for IRCC’s Gaza Special Measures?
In order to be eligible for a temporary resident visa (TRV), applicants must fit into one of two categories. Individuals in Group 1 are required to:
- Possess a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority.
- Reside in the Gaza Strip at the time of submitting their application.
- Have an eligible anchor, who can be their:
- Child (of any age)
- Spouse or common-law partner
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Sibling (including half-siblings and adopted siblings)
- Grandchild
- Not be deemed inadmissible to Canada for reasons other than financial considerations.
Group 2 consists of the family members of those who meet the requirements listed for Group 1. These relations are defined by the department as follows: spouses or common-law partners; dependent children (whether or not they are the dependents’ own, spouse’s, or common-law partner’s); and dependent children of dependent children.
In order for someone to be considered an eligible anchor, they need to meet certain requirements. First, they need to be Canadian citizens or permanent residents, at least 18 years old, related to someone who fits under Group 1, living or planning to live in Canada, and willing to support the applicant and their family for a year in order to help them settle and integrate into the country. Moreover, the agency notes that some candidates may need to undergo a medical exam. This applies if they have spent six months or more in specified countries or territories within the year preceding their planned entry into Canada. After leaving Gaza, this inspection might be carried out.
Ways to Apply
Qualified applicants must submit a consent form and a statutory declaration form in order to disclose personal information. After completing this phase, applicants—which includes the Group 1 applicant and their family members—must subsequently submit an online crisis form for each family unit. Every person named on the statutory declaration form will receive a special web reference code. The IRCC advises candidates to complete their TRV application as soon as possible after getting the code, since it does not ensure a spot.
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