IRCC quietly updated its operational manual on 7 July 2026 to spell out how border officers should process Palestinians arriving under the Gaza special-measures family-support policy. Although the temporary resident pathway closed to new applications in March 2025 after reaching its 5,000-person cap, hundreds of approved clients are still finalising travel plans.
![Canada clarifies port-of-entry rules for Gaza family-support visa holders]()
Travellers seeking extra assurance as they prepare can lean on VisaHQ, whose Canada-focused portal offers up-to-date checklists, validity calculators and concierge services that simplify everything from obtaining visitor records to converting to fee-exempt work or study permits once in the country.
Key changes centre on consistency at the border. Officers must issue a visitor record valid for up to three years with the remark “MOME2023” and waive normal requirements to prove an intention to leave Canada or show minimum funds. The guidance also reiterates that the recommended visa validity is three years or until the traveller’s passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. Port-of-entry facilitation remains in force until 31 March 2028. Approved clients are eligible for 90 days of Interim Federal Health Program coverage, a one-time transitional-financial-assistance payment and fee-exempt study or open work permits after arrival. However, those benefits hinge on the MOME2023 remark; without it, service providers may refuse support. For employers, the update means Palestinian relatives sponsored under the program can transition to open work permits inside Canada without paying usual fees, potentially enlarging the local talent pool in communities where they settle. Corporations with staff acting as “anchors” for family members should brief them on the new border documentation to avoid delays. Because no new applications are permitted, the refresh mainly affects travel readiness rather than eligibility. Still, the clarification demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to post-arrival service delivery and may serve as a template for future crisis-response pathways.
Travellers seeking extra assurance as they prepare can lean on VisaHQ, whose Canada-focused portal offers up-to-date checklists, validity calculators and concierge services that simplify everything from obtaining visitor records to converting to fee-exempt work or study permits once in the country.
Key changes centre on consistency at the border. Officers must issue a visitor record valid for up to three years with the remark “MOME2023” and waive normal requirements to prove an intention to leave Canada or show minimum funds. The guidance also reiterates that the recommended visa validity is three years or until the traveller’s passport or biometrics expire, whichever comes first. Port-of-entry facilitation remains in force until 31 March 2028. Approved clients are eligible for 90 days of Interim Federal Health Program coverage, a one-time transitional-financial-assistance payment and fee-exempt study or open work permits after arrival. However, those benefits hinge on the MOME2023 remark; without it, service providers may refuse support. For employers, the update means Palestinian relatives sponsored under the program can transition to open work permits inside Canada without paying usual fees, potentially enlarging the local talent pool in communities where they settle. Corporations with staff acting as “anchors” for family members should brief them on the new border documentation to avoid delays. Because no new applications are permitted, the refresh mainly affects travel readiness rather than eligibility. Still, the clarification demonstrates IRCC’s commitment to post-arrival service delivery and may serve as a template for future crisis-response pathways.
