IRCC Updates Gaza Family Support Instructions July 2026

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As of July 7, 2026, IRCC has updated its internal instructions for the Gaza special measures temporary resident pathway. The update focuses on what happens after approved Palestinians arrive in Canada, specifically the port of entry process, the "MOME2023" remark on travel documents, and the in-Canada supports available to clients under this program.

The public policy itself closed on March 6, 2025, when the 5,000-application cap was reached. No new applications are being accepted under the special measures. However, a port of entry facilitation policy remains in place until March 31, 2028, and the processing of applications already received continues under these updated instructions.

Who This Program Covered

The Gaza special measures created a temporary resident pathway for Palestinians directly affected by the crisis in the Gaza Strip. To qualify, applicants needed a Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member, called an "anchor," who was willing to support them for at least the first year after arrival in Canada.

Two groups were eligible. Group 1 covered Palestinians who were inside Gaza at the time of the web form submission and held a Palestinian Authority passport. Their eligible relationship to the anchor could be spouse, common-law partner, child (any age), parent, grandparent, grandchild, or sibling, including half-siblings and adopted siblings. Group 2 covered the immediate family members of Group 1 applicants. These are defined under subsection R1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations as a spouse or common-law partner, a dependent child of the person or their partner, and a dependent child of that dependent child. Group 2 immediate family members could be of any nationality and did not need to be in Gaza at the time of application.

The Canadian anchor had to be 18 years of age or older and either a citizen or permanent resident residing, or intending to reside, in Canada. Anchors could support more than one Group 1 person, as long as they agreed to support each person and their eligible accompanying family. Anchors were screened against several conditions, including not being subject to a removal order, not being in default of any sponsorship undertakings, not being an undischarged bankrupt, and not being in receipt of social assistance for reasons other than disability. Importantly, anchors were not permitted to accept any financial compensation from the applicants they were supporting.

The two-step application process required anchors or representatives to first submit a web form, including a completed Statutory Declaration form (IMM 5992), anchor information, and proof of the anchor's status and residence in Canada. After passing the completeness check, the Immigration Operations Branch issued a unique reference code for each applicant. That code was then used in the second stage, when the full TRV application was submitted through the IRCC Portal. The Additional Background Information form (IMM 0706) and the Consent to Disclose Personal Information form (IMM 0707) were both required to be included for the application to be considered complete.

Port of Entry: What Happens When Clients Arrive

The July 7, 2026 update reinforced instructions specifically around what happens at the border when an approved client arrives. A public policy facilitating port of entry entry remains in place until March 31, 2028. Under this policy, clients holding a TRV issued under the Gaza special measures are exempt from having to satisfy an officer that they will leave Canada at the end of their authorized stay, and exempt from inadmissibility on financial grounds. All other admissibility requirements continue to apply normally.

When a client arrives, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) Border Services Officers (BSOs) are required to issue a visitor record with the "MOME2023" remark. BSOs should issue this visitor record for a validity period of up to 3 years. The MOME2023 remark is not optional. IRCC's updated instructions specifically reinforce that this remark must be consistently applied, because without it, clients may be unable to access the key supports available to them in Canada.

To identify eligible Palestinian clients at the port of entry, a dedicated ORG ID has been created for CBSA: O178962081598. When processing Palestinian arrivals, BSOs should look for this ORG ID and add the MOME2023 remark to the temporary resident status documents of anyone associated with it. For clients approved for a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) rather than a TRV, IRCC officers are responsible for entering the MOME2023 remark in the User Remarks field in the Global Case Management System (GCMS) and authorizing the permit. If the remark is missing at the time of examination, BSOs must add it themselves and confirm the permit before the client proceeds.

The MOME2023 remark serves a specific administrative function. Service provider organizations use it to verify that a client is eligible for federally funded settlement services. IRCC also uses it to determine eligibility for transitional financial assistance. This is why the updated instructions emphasize consistent application of the remark at every port of entry, regardless of how the client's file was originally processed overseas.

In-Canada Supports Available to Approved Clients

Clients approved under the Gaza special measures receive an outreach letter when their visa or permit is issued. That letter explains the supports available to them once they arrive in Canada. These supports are substantial and cover health, work, study, and financial needs during the initial period of settlement.

The first and most time-sensitive support is Interim Federal Health Program (IFHP) coverage. Approved clients receive IFHP coverage for 3 months from the date of their arrival. The International Platform Branch initiates the IFHP coverage in GCMS at intake, and the Migration Office finalizes and prints the IFHP certificate, which is provided to the client along with their travel documents before they leave. One important limitation: medical examinations required as part of the application process overseas are not covered by IFHP.

Once in Canada, clients can apply for fee-exempt study permits and open work permits through the separate in-Canada temporary measures to support foreign nationals in response to the crisis in the state of Palestine. They can also apply fee-exempt for temporary resident permits and status extensions. These applications must be made after arrival. Clients cannot apply for these in-Canada facilitative measures at the port of entry itself.

Transitional Financial Assistance (TFA) is a one-time payment to help clients cover immediate and basic needs after arriving. Clients must apply for TFA themselves after arriving in Canada with valid temporary resident status. The outreach letter includes instructions on contacting the Settlement Network RAP Centralized Team to request this payment. There is one important restriction: clients who make a refugee protection claim in Canada are no longer considered temporary residents once that claim is made, and they become ineligible for TFA at that point.

Federally funded settlement services are also available to clients approved under the Gaza special measures. These are delivered through service provider organizations and cover supports like language training, employment assistance, and community connections. The MOME2023 remark on the client's documents is what allows these organizations to confirm eligibility quickly and without additional bureaucratic steps.

Overseas officers are responsible for printing the IFHP documentation before clients depart. However, overseas officers are not required to take any action on the other post-arrival benefits. Those supports are accessed by clients directly after arriving, using the outreach letter as their guide. For additional details on the in-Canada measures, visit the IRCC website for the most current information on supports available to Palestinians in Canada.

Medical Examination Requirements

The medical examination rules under this program depend on where a client has lived in the period before applying. Clients residing in Gaza or another country not designated for TB screening for 6 consecutive months within the year before submitting their application do not require an immigration medical exam (IME) before coming to Canada.

If a client has lived in or travelled through a TB-designated country or territory for 6 consecutive months in the year before applying, they must complete a pre-departure IME. Clients have the option of completing an upfront medical exam at the time of application. If upfront medical exam results are not on file when the application is being processed, officers should issue new medical instructions using form IMM 1017.

Clients who want to obtain an open unrestricted work permit after arriving in Canada are required to complete an IME, but this exam can be done after arrival. Officers should run an integrated search to confirm whether a client has already completed an IME before issuing new instructions, to avoid duplication. This post-arrival IME requirement only applies to clients seeking the open unrestricted work permit, not to the fee-exempt open work permit available under the facilitative in-Canada measures.

What This Means If You Are Waiting for a Decision

If you or your family member submitted an application before the cap was reached on March 6, 2025, your file is still being processed under these instructions. IRCC officers continue to finalize applications received under the public policy, even though no new applications are being accepted. The instructions published on July 7, 2026 are specifically for officers finalizing those remaining files.

If you were approved and are planning to travel to Canada, the port of entry facilitation policy covers your entry until March 31, 2028. Your TRV or TRP should have the MOME2023 remark. If it does not, bring it to the attention of the border officer immediately on arrival so they can add it using the CBSA ORG ID O178962081598. Without the remark, service providers may not be able to confirm your eligibility for settlement services, which could delay access to support at a critical time.

If you received a refund of your processing and biometrics fees, that applied to applications submitted between January 9, 2024 and April 22, 2025, as approved under the remission order. You do not need to take any action on the refund itself. For questions about your application status or the supports available, contact the IRCC Help Centre or consult a qualified immigration representative.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I still apply under the Gaza special measures TRV pathway?
No. The public policy expired on March 6, 2025, when the 5,000-application cap was reached. Applications are no longer being accepted under this pathway. If you have not yet applied, you would need to apply under the regular TRV stream.

What is the MOME2023 remark and why does it matter?
The MOME2023 remark is a code added to your temporary resident document at the port of entry. Service provider organizations use it to confirm you are eligible for federally funded settlement services. IRCC also uses it to determine eligibility for transitional financial assistance. Without this remark, you may not be able to access these supports, so make sure it appears on your documents before you leave the border.

How long does IFHP health coverage last?
IFHP coverage lasts for 3 months from the date of your arrival in Canada. Your IFHP certificate should be provided to you before you depart for Canada. Note that overseas medical exams required as part of the application are not covered by IFHP.

Can I apply for a work permit or study permit at the border when I arrive?
No. Fee-exempt applications for study permits, open work permits, temporary resident permits, and status extensions must be made after you arrive in Canada. They cannot be submitted at the port of entry. Use your outreach letter to follow the steps for applying once you are settled.

Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), IRCC Help Centre. Last verified: July 7, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice. Consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.

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