Who May Be Able to Extend an Existing Open Work Permit?
This component is particularly important for Palestinians already working in Canada.
A Palestinian national may qualify to apply for an extension if the person:
- holds a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority;
- is in Canada with valid temporary resident status;
- holds a valid open work permit issued under one of the specified previous public policies for Palestinians and eligible family members;
- applies from within Canada for a work permit renewal; and
- has not already received an extension under the new policy.
The applicant must be physically in Canada when the application is submitted and when IRCC makes its decision.
A qualifying person may receive a work permit extension under this new public policy only once.
The policy also covers certain foreign-national family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents, subject to separate conditions.
Is the Open Work Permit Extension Free?
No.
IRCC says standard application fees apply to an open work permit extension submitted under this component.
According to IRCC’s application instructions, the applicable fees may include:
- a $155 work permit processing fee;
- a $100 open work permit holder fee; and
- a biometrics fee, if biometrics are required.
This differs from the treatment of certain eligible people who have not previously applied under the specified earlier special measures. Those applicants may be able to apply for a new open work permit without paying the application fees.
What About Palestinians Who Enter Canada Later?
The second policy covers certain eligible people whose authorized period of stay in Canada begins on or before September 30, 2027.
IRCC’s public-facing instructions generally describe this requirement as entering Canada on or before September 30, 2027. The formal public policy uses the more precise wording that the applicant must have an authorized period of stay that began by that date.
Depending on the applicant category and the immigration document being requested, a Palestinian national may need to:
- hold a passport or travel document issued by the Palestinian Authority;
- have an authorized period of stay in Canada that began on or before September 30, 2027;
- have valid temporary resident status;
- remain in Canada while applying and when a decision is made; and
- not have previously received—or, under IRCC’s application instructions, previously applied for—benefits under one of the specified earlier public policies.
The formal policies refer to documents issued by the Palestinian Authority, while IRCC’s public application guidance describes them as documents issued by the State of Palestine.
Eligibility varies by applicant group and the type of application. Entering Canada or holding a Palestinian passport does not automatically make someone eligible.
What Can Eligible People Apply For?
Depending on their circumstances, eligible applicants who have not previously used the specified special measures may be able to apply from within Canada for the following:
| Immigration option | What the measures may provide |
|---|
| Open work permit | Eligible applicants may apply without application fees |
| Study permit | Eligible applicants may receive an exemption from application fees |
| Visitor status extension | Eligible applicants may extend their temporary status without application fees |
| Temporary resident permit | Fee-exempt access may be available where the applicant requires a TRP and meets the policy conditions |
| Existing open work permit extension | Qualifying previous beneficiaries may apply once; standard fees apply |
A temporary resident permit, commonly called a TRP, should not be understood as a general alternative to visitor status. It is normally relevant when someone is inadmissible or otherwise does not meet the usual requirements of Canada’s immigration law. Applicants must meet the specific policy conditions.
The updated policies are therefore not simply a “work permit program.” They are a collection of temporary measures intended to give eligible people more flexibility to remain, work or study legally in Canada.
Who Counts as an Eligible Family Member?
The measures are not limited exclusively to Palestinian passport holders.
Certain foreign-national family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents may also qualify under separate eligibility rules.
For these measures, a family member includes:
- a spouse or common-law partner;
- a dependent child of the person, spouse or common-law partner; or
- a dependent child of a dependent child.
Under the applicable family-member provisions, both the foreign national and the Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member must have left Palestine on or after October 7, 2023.
The family member must also satisfy the other conditions that apply to the specific permit or status being requested.
Why Did Canada Extend the Measures?
The extension is connected to the difficulties many people have faced while attempting to leave Gaza.
IRCC said that many eligible Palestinians have been unable to leave Gaza to provide biometrics and complete their applications because of circumstances outside Canada’s control.
The government therefore extended the timeline so that eligible Palestinians who reach Canada by the applicable September 2027 deadline can potentially access temporary measures similar to those offered to eligible people who arrived earlier.
IRCC reported that, as of May 31, 2026, there were 2,383 valid work permits and 236 valid study permits issued to Palestinian passport holders in Canada.
These figures provide some context about the number of people who may be affected by Canada’s evolving policies.
Do These Measures Give Palestinians Permanent Residence?
No.
The policies do not establish a Palestinian permanent residence program.
An open work permit allows an eligible person to work temporarily in Canada without being tied to one employer, subject to the conditions imposed on the permit.
A study permit, temporary resident permit, visitor record or open work permit should not be confused with Canadian permanent residence.
Someone who eventually wants permanent residence must separately qualify through an existing permanent immigration program or pathway.
What Happens After September 30, 2027?
September 30 and December 30 serve different purposes.
September 30, 2027, is the cutoff connected to when an eligible applicant’s authorized period of stay in Canada must begin. IRCC’s public instructions generally express this as entering Canada on or before that date.
December 30, 2027, is the scheduled expiry date of the two temporary public policies.
The policies apply to qualifying applications received after they took effect and before they expire or are revoked.
Applicants should therefore determine which deadline applies to their circumstances. They should not assume that they can wait until the end of 2027, because IRCC explicitly states that the policies may be revoked at any time without prior notice.
TwikUp Insight
The central development is not the creation of a new permanent immigration pathway for Palestinians.
No such pathway was created by these policies.
The significant development is continuity.
Previous special measures were reaching their end while some beneficiaries remained unable to return home and other eligible people had not yet been able to reach Canada.
Canada’s updated approach gives certain eligible people who are already in the country an opportunity to extend a qualifying open work permit. It also leaves a temporary window open for eligible Palestinians and qualifying family members who enter Canada later.
For someone holding an eligible open work permit, the policy may provide one opportunity to remain authorized to work for a longer period.
For someone whose authorized stay begins by the September 2027 deadline and who has not previously used the specified measures, it may provide access to a fee-exempt open work permit, study permit, status extension or temporary resident permit.
Eligibility remains highly dependent on the applicant’s circumstances.
A Palestinian passport by itself does not entitle someone to a Canadian work permit, and none of these temporary measures should be interpreted as automatic permanent residence.
This article provides general information only and is not legal or immigration advice. Immigration policies and individual circumstances can change. Applicants should confirm their eligibility directly with IRCC or consult an authorized Canadian immigration professional.
