As the conflict between Israel and Hezbollah escalates, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will waive application fees for Lebanese temporary residents in Canada seeking visa extensions or work and study permits.
The measure also applies to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who left Lebanon since the end of September, when the Canadian government began booking commercial airline tickets to encourage people to evacuate conflict areas.
The Canadian government took similar steps last year for Israelis and Palestinians in the West Bank who fled their homes, and for Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression.
“We remain deeply concerned about the safety of the Lebanese people and all those in the surrounding region. We will support the repatriation of Canadians and provide temporary security to Lebanese nationals living in Canada. We are committed to doing everything we can to help you return with confidence,” Immigration Minister Mark Miller said in a news release.
The ministry said approximately 1,200 Canadians, permanent residents and immediate family members have left Lebanon since the Canadian government began operating commercial flights. Those who accept these flights must repay the cost of their tickets to the federal government.
The department also said it has increased resources to process more files from the region.
Israel has been in a gunfight with the militant group Hezbollah since October 2023, shortly after a deadly attack by Hamas that sparked widespread conflict in the Middle East.
In October of this year, Israel launched a ground invasion of Lebanon with the goal of destroying Hezbollah.
The Lebanese government says more than 2,700 people have been killed in Lebanon over the past year, two-thirds of them in the past five weeks.
Canada is among several countries and geopolitical blocs, including other members of the Group of Seven, the European Union, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates, who are currently calling for a ceasefire.
