Canada extends safe haven policy for Gaza nationals, i.e., the Canadian government has announced an extension of its temporary policy that allows certain foreign nationals in Gaza to enter Canada as visitors. This decision gives eligible individuals more time to travel and find safety in Canada.
According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the updated policy will take effect on April 24, 2026, and will remain active until March 31, 2028. However, the government has stated that the policy can be ended earlier if needed.
Who Can Benefit From The Extended Policy?
The extended policy applies to a specific group of individuals. These include foreign nationals who:
- Currently hold a valid temporary resident visa (TRV) that was issued under earlier special measures for Gaza; and
- Plan to travel to Canada as visitors.
This means that only those who already received approval under the previous program can benefit from this extension. New applications are not being accepted under this policy.
Key Benefits Of The Policy
The extended policy mainly helps eligible individuals by making certain entry rules easier. Under normal conditions, a visitor must meet strict requirements before entering Canada.
Usually, a foreign national must prove:
- That they will leave Canada at the end of their stay; and
- That they have enough financial resources to support themselves during their visit.
Under this special policy, these requirements are not applied to eligible individuals from Gaza. This allows them to enter Canada even if they cannot fully meet these conditions.
However, it is important to note that all other standard checks still apply. This includes security, health, and identity verification requirements.
Background Of The Gaza Special Measures
Canada first introduced these special measures in December 2023 in response to the ongoing conflict in Gaza. The policy was later updated in April 2024 to improve access and support for affected individuals.
The updated policy was designed mainly for Palestinian nationals in Gaza who have close family members in Canada. It aimed to provide them with a temporary and safe pathway to enter the country.
The policy had three main parts. Over time, the first two parts, which focused on helping people apply for visas, have ended. The visa application pathway is no longer open, and a limit of 5,000 applications was set earlier.
The current extension applies only to Part 3 of the policy. This part allows approved individuals to travel to Canada with easier entry conditions.
Earlier Extensions And Current Timeline
Part 3 of the policy has already been extended once before. In March 2025, the government extended it until April 23, 2026.
Now, the latest extension, signed on April 20, 2026, has pushed the deadline further to March 31, 2028. This gives eligible individuals a longer period to make travel plans and enter Canada safely.
Part 1
Under the earlier version of the policy, Palestinian passport holders in Gaza could apply for a TRV through a special process.
To qualify, applicants needed support from a Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member. This person, known as an “anchor,” had to agree to help the applicant settle in Canada.
The support included assistance with housing, food, basic needs, and guidance on services such as healthcare and settlement programs.
Part 2
Well, part 2 gave the same support to close family members of Part 1 applicants, like spouses and children who were travelling with them.
Part 3
Part 3 is about entering Canada. It allows people approved under Part 1 or Part 2 to come to Canada as visitors, even if they cannot meet the usual entry rules.
The full details of this extended policy can be found on the Government of Canada’s website.
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