What took effect
IRCC published operational instructions on August 24, 2026 for two temporary public policies that took effect on August 1, 2026 and expire on December 30, 2027. They apply to applications received on or after August 1, 2026. The first policy gives access to fee-exempt open work permits, study permits, temporary resident permits and extensions of temporary resident status. The second allows an open work permit renewal at standard fees.
The fee-exempt measure: who may qualify
A person can be eligible if they meet one of these two descriptions and have not previously been granted an exemption under one of the earlier Palestine-related public policies listed in the instructions:
- They hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority, are in Canada with valid temporary resident status, and their authorized period of stay in Canada began on or before September 30, 2027 at the time of application.
- They are a family member (as defined in the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations: spouse or common-law partner, dependent children and dependent grandchildren) of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023, are in Canada with valid temporary resident status, and have an authorized period of stay that began on or before September 30, 2027. The family member does not have to have travelled with the Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
All other standard eligibility and admissibility requirements that are not specifically exempted still apply, and applications cannot be made at a port of entry.
Valid temporary status and travel
The applicant must be physically present in Canada when applying and when a decision is made, must have entered as a temporary resident, and must be within their authorized period of stay at the time of application. IRCC notes that a person who leaves Canada no longer holds temporary resident status, and re-entry restarts the effective date of their status, so travel outside Canada before applying under the policy can affect eligibility. A temporary absence after applying does not by itself affect eligibility.
A person who applies to extend or change the conditions of their stay before it expires keeps their status while the application is processed (maintained status). This does not apply to holders of temporary resident permits.
Renewing a work permit issued under an earlier policy
The second policy is narrower. It applies to eligible Palestinian Authority document holders, and to qualifying family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, who are in Canada with valid temporary status and hold a valid open work permit issued under one of the earlier Palestine-related policies listed in the instructions. They can apply from inside Canada for one open work permit renewal. IRCC states that standard application fees apply, including the biometrics fee if applicable.
A person may receive only one extension under this policy. Applicants who need to extend a visitor record, study permit or temporary resident permit use the regular pathways.
Before applying
Match your passport or travel document, current status, dates of entry and authorized stay, family relationship and earlier permit history to the exact wording of the policy. Prior exemptions matter because the new policies treat people who already received an exemption differently. If your status is close to expiring, file the correct application before it expires. This is not automatic status, and it does not approve every application.
Official sources
- IRCC: Program delivery update, new in-Canada measures for foreign nationals affected by the crisis in Palestine
- IRCC: In-Canada temporary measures for foreign nationals of Palestine arriving in Canada as temporary residents on or before September 30, 2027
- IRCC: Open work permit renewals for foreign nationals facilitated under previous public policies related to the crisis in Palestine