Canada has announced a temporary pause on the removal of select inadmissible Israeli and Lebanese nationals in Canada holding temporary or permanent residence status.

Due to the current conflict in Israel and Lebanon posing a “generalized risk to the entire civilization population,” those deemed inadmissible and to be removed, as of March 7, will be permitted to stay in Canada temporarily under an Administrative Deferral of Removals (ADR) measure being implemented.

Those affected by the temporary halt may be eligible to apply for a work permit from within Canada.

Removal orders against Israeli and Lebanese nationals will be enforced at a later date, once the situation in both countries stabilizes and the risk of returning has been reduced.

Israeli and Lebanese citizens to whom the policy applies will still be required to comply with Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) expectations, including reporting and removal interviews.

Work permit provisions

Eligible individuals under this policy may be able to obtain an open work permit (OWP) if:

• They are under a removal order but cannot be removed from Canada for reasons outside of their control*;
• They cannot pay for their basic needs without working; and
• They meet t