The Canadian federal government has provided a lifeline to nationals and former residents of Israel and Palestine who were at risk of deportation from Canada.

On September 29, 2026, Canada announced a special opportunity for affected individuals to secure permanent immigration status in Canada as protected persons, even if they had previously faced rejection.

According to a post on the federal government’s notice page, this initiative is open to those who received negative decisions on asylum claims or pre-removal risk assessments (PRRAs) between September 28, 2025, and September 29, 2026, as well as those who had unfavorable rulings from the Federal Court during the same period.

Nationals and former residents of Palestine or Israel who qualify can apply for a PRRA by following the instructions on the federal government website.

Prior to this change, many individuals would have faced deportation due to the standard blackout period that prevented them from submitting a PRRA for 12 months after a negative decision on their protection application.

It is important to note that this second chance at PRRAs does not apply to decisions made after September 29, 2026, as those rulings would have already considered the current conditions.

Submitting a PRRA is often the last resort for individuals facing removal from Canada. If the application is unsuccessful, the individual is required to leave the country with limited options for appeal.

Individuals can typically apply for a PRRA only when facing an enforceable removal order and upon notification from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA).

Successful PRRAs offer protection to individuals who would otherwise be exposed to persecution, torture, or life-threatening risks in their home countries.