Those who left Lebanon on or after September 29, 2024, may be eligible to apply for an open work permit, study permit, or status extension at no cost once they arrive in Canada.

 

Canada’s government says the temporary measures will offer support to permanent residents, Canadian citizens, and their immediate family members who have left Lebanon during the current unrest.
These measures will be in effect until July 31, 2025.

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Who is eligible?

Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) says the following individuals may take advantage of the new measures:

• Lebanese nationals in Canada with valid temporary resident status;

• Non-Lebanese foreign national family members of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident who:

  • left Lebanon on or after September 29, 2024, and

  • are in Canada with valid temporary resident status;

• Non-Lebanese foreign nationals who are affected by the first-generation limit on citizenship as well as their foreign national family members who:

  • left Lebanon on or after September 29, 2024, and

  • are in Canada with valid temporary resident status;

• People who left Lebanon with the help of the Government of Canada on or after September 29, 2024.

The department defines immediate family as:

• the spouse or common-law partner of the person;

• a dependent child of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident or of their spouse or common-law partner; or

• a dependent child of a dependent child.

All Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members are required to have the necessary travel documents to be eligible.