IRCC announces temporary measures for those affected by conflict in Lebanon

Those leaving Lebanon on or after September 29, 2024 will be able to apply for an open work permit, work permit or extension of status upon arrival in Canada, free of charge.

The Canadian government said the temporary measures will provide support to permanent residents, Canadian citizens and their immediate family members who have left Lebanon during the current unrest.
These measures will be valid until July 31, 2025.

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Who is eligible?

Immigration Refugees and Canadian Citizenship (IRCC) says the following people can benefit from the new measures:

• Lebanese citizens with valid temporary resident status in Canada;
• Non-Lebanese foreign national family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident:
  • Departed Lebanon on or after 29 September 2024 and
  • Those who have valid temporary residence status in Canada;
• Non-Lebanese foreign nationals affected by the first-generation citizenship cap and their foreign national family members:
  • Departed Lebanon on or after 29 September 2024 and
  • Those who have valid temporary residence status in Canada;
• Individuals who left Lebanon with the assistance of the Government of Canada on or after September 29, 2024.

The Ministry defines immediate family as follows:

• the person’s spouse or common-law partner;
• Dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or his or her spouse or common-law partner; or
• addicted child of an addicted child.

All Canadians citizensPermanent residence permit holders and their immediate family members must have the necessary travel documents to be eligible.

The measures will also affect Lebanese citizens who are currently unable to return to Lebanon. Eligible individuals may apply regardless of whether they departed via Global Affairs Canada-arranged flights or other means.

Global Affairs Canada says it has helped 1,200 Canadians, permanent residents and their families leave Lebanon to date.

IRCC said it has increased processing capacity for files in the region and is working to “process applications from Canadians, permanent residents and their family members in Lebanon as quickly as possible.”

Part of a set of measures

Throughout the current conflict in the Middle East, Canadian immigration has taken steps to facilitate the arrival and settlement of affected people.

In December 2023IRCC announced that it will prioritize the family class permanent residence Applications from eligible (Israeli and Palestinian) individuals in the region (PR) sponsored by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. The government also announced that it will make it easier to be exempt from fees. to work And work permits to these people.

in januaryIRCC announced that it would process 1,000 temporary residence visa (TRV) applications for Palestinians who were currently in Gaza and whose immediate family members are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. According to this policy, individuals landing in Canada will also have access to: settlement services including temporary health insurance upon arrival, language training and employment support. This figure was later revised to 5,000 applications. in may.

The Immigration Department also announced on October 16 He said he will provide financial assistance to individuals coming through these avenues, in addition to the services he already provides.

More than 4,000 people have already applied through IRCC’s interim pathway, and 733 of them have been approved to come to Canada. As of October 5, 334 people have set foot in Canada through this policy.

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