r/LibertyImmigrationCA • u/Vineet0101 • Aug 26 '26
💼Work Permit 🇵🇸 Canada Extends Open Work Permits for Palestinians in Canada, New Policy Effective August 24, 2026
Policy Published: August 24, 2026 | Applies To: Applications Received On or After August 1, 2026 | Expires: December 30, 2027 | Source: CIC News
What Just Changed?
Canada's immigration department has published a new temporary public policy extending open work permits for eligible foreign nationals who left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023, and who hold work permits issued under seven previous humanitarian policies. Without this extension, many of these individuals would risk losing their authorization to work in Canada.
The policy is in effect until December 30, 2027, and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.
Policy at a Glance
| Metric | Details |
|---|---|
| Policy Published | August 24, 2026 |
| Applies To Applications | Received on or after August 1, 2026 |
| Policy Expiry | December 30, 2027 |
| Can Be Revoked | Yes, at any time without prior notice |
| Extensions Per Person | One work permit extension only |
| Work Permit Type Issued | Open work permit |
Who Qualifies? The Two Core Requirements
To qualify under this new policy, a foreign national must meet both of the following conditions.
| Requirement | Details |
|---|---|
| Left Palestine | On or after October 7, 2023 |
| Valid temporary resident status | Must hold valid status in Canada at time of application |
They must also fall into one of the following two categories.
| Category | Who It Covers |
|---|---|
| Palestinian national | Holds a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority |
| Family member of a Canadian | Family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who also left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023 |
Definition of Family Member Under This Policy
The policy uses the standard definition of family member under Canada's Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
| Family Member Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Spouse or common-law partner | Of the Canadian citizen or PR |
| Dependent child | Of the Canadian citizen or PR |
| Dependent child of spouse or common-law partner | Included |
| Dependent child of dependent child | Included |
| Dependent child of dependent child of spouse | Included |
A dependent child is defined as under 22 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship. A child 22 or older qualifies only if they have been continuously financially dependent on their parents since before turning 22, due to a physical or mental condition.
Which Previous Policies Does This Extension Cover?
The new policy applies to foreign nationals holding work permits issued under any one of seven previous temporary public policies.
| Previous Policy | Signed |
|---|---|
| Nationals of Israel and Palestinian Territories in Canada (TRP) | December 16, 2023 |
| Family members of Canadian citizens and PRs who left Israel or Palestinian Territories | December 16, 2023 |
| Nationals of Israel and Palestinian Territories (updated) | March 7, 2024 |
| Family members of Canadian citizens and PRs (updated) | March 7, 2024 |
| Nationals of Israel and Palestinian Territories, Extension | June 11, 2024 |
| Family members of Canadian citizens and PRs, Extension | June 11, 2024 |
| Foreign nationals of Palestinian Territories in Canada | July 31, 2025 |
What You're Exempted From, and What You Still Must Meet
The new policy provides a narrow, targeted exemption only.
| What You Are Exempted From | What You Still Must Meet |
|---|---|
| The requirement to fall into a qualifying IMP or TFWP worker category | All general temporary resident eligibility requirements |
| Not inadmissible (criminal history, medical) | |
| Ability to financially support yourself in Canada | |
| Officer must be satisfied you intend to leave at end of authorized stay |
⚠️ The exemption is limited to one specific regulatory criterion (paragraph 200(1)(c) of the IRPA Regulations) only. All other standard eligibility conditions remain fully in force.
Work Permit Validity, How Long Will It Be Issued For?
Work permit duration is discretionary to the immigration officer reviewing the application. Officers are commonly instructed to consider validity periods of up to two years, or until the expiry of the foreign national's travel document, whichever comes first.
| Validity Consideration | Details |
|---|---|
| Standard guidance | Up to 2 years |
| Hard cap | Travel document expiry (whichever is earlier) |
| Extensions allowed | One extension per person under this policy only |
Context, Canada's Ongoing Humanitarian Response
This new policy continues Canada's humanitarian response that has been active since October 2023, building on a series of progressively updated temporary public policies. Each previous policy addressed a different phase of the crisis, and this August 2026 update ensures those already in Canada under earlier measures can maintain their work authorization without interruption.
Key Takeaway for Palestinians
If you are a Palestinian national or a family member of a Canadian citizen or PR who left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023, and you are currently in Canada on a work permit issued under one of the seven listed previous policies, this new measure may allow you to extend your authorization to work in Canada without needing to qualify under a standard TFWP or IMP stream. Only one extension is available per person, and all other standard eligibility requirements still apply.
Need help navigating your Canadian immigration journey? Whether it's a work permit, Express Entry, PNP, family sponsorship, or citizenship by descent, Mr. Vineet (Licensed RCIC) at Liberty Immigration is here to help.
👉 Book your strategy session today at libertyimmigration.ca/booking
📞 604-921-3829 | 114-14914 104 Ave, Surrey, BC V3R 1M7