[vc_row][vc_column][vc_column_text dp_text_size=”size-4″]Toronto – The Canadian government has declared its intention to offer temporary residency to the relatives of Canadians currently trapped in the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip. In an official press release issued on Thursday, the government outlined special measures to facilitate temporary residence for extended family members in Gaza who are connected to Canadian citizens and permanent residents.
According to the announcement, three-year temporary resident visas will be provided, and the immigration minister specified the eligible family members, including the spouse, common-law partner, child regardless of age, grandchild, sibling, parent, or grandparent of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, along with their immediate family members.
The government further stated its commitment to prioritizing the processing of all existing and new permanent residence applications for Palestinians within family-based immigration streams.
Read more : Canada Announces Much Harder New Visa Policy for Students and Workers
Acknowledging the ongoing tense situation in the region, the government emphasized that individuals able to leave Gaza must fulfill all admissibility and eligibility requirements before being approved to come to Canada.
Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, emphasized Canada’s commitment to providing safety for Israelis and Palestinians in the country. He stated, “We will do what we can to help loved ones who have fled the region, as well as eligible family members who remain in Gaza. We will continue to remain flexible with our response so we can meet the unique needs of those who require our support.”
Additionally, the government announced that foreign national family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who have left Israel and the Palestinian Territories can apply for a fee-exempt study or open work permit. Canadians and permanent residents from Israel and the Palestinian Territories currently in Canada, feeling unsafe to return, can also apply for a fee-exempt study or open work permit.
The precarious situation in Gaza, marked by ongoing violence, has resulted in a significant death toll. According to the Gaza Health Ministry, over 20,000 people have been killed in the conflict between Israel and Hamas, surpassing the death toll of any recent conflicts in Gaza, including the 1948 Arab-Israeli war known as Nakba.[/vc_column_text][/vc_column][/vc_row]
