Remission of Gaza TRV and biometrics fees

Summary#

The federal government made the Certain Fees in Respect of the Issuance of Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family (Crisis in Gaza) Remission Order and registered it on December 18, 2024. The order refunds temporary resident visa (TRV) and biometric fees for people who applied under the temporary policies for extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza between January 9, 2024 and April 22, 2025.

What it does#

• Refunds (remits) TRV application fees and biometric service fees paid or payable by people who applied under either:
  • the Temporary public policy to facilitate temporary resident visas for certain extended family affected by the crisis in Gaza, or
  • the Updated Temporary Public Policy to Facilitate Temporary Resident Visas for Certain Extended Family affected by the Crisis in Gaza.
• Applies only to applications submitted between January 9, 2024 and April 22, 2025.
• Sets two dates for when refunds will be made:
  • Fees paid before the order comes into force are remitted on the day it comes into force (the registration day).
  • Fees paid from the day it comes into force until April 22, 2025 are remitted on April 23, 2025.
• The order comes into force on the day it is registered.

Who's affected#

• Palestinian nationals and their immediate family members who applied for a TRV under the temporary public policies named above during the stated period.
• People who applied and were granted a TRV either through the policy, on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, or later through regular processing because the policy cap had been reached.
• Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will administer the refunds and report them in its regular fee and public accounts reports.

Why it matters#

• Affected applicants will get back the money they paid for TRV and biometric processing. That reduces the financial burden on people seeking temporary refuge or family reunification linked to the Gaza crisis.
• The government estimates the cost of these remissions at up to $1,295,000, including $991,785 already foregone and up to $303,215 forecasted.
• The timing rules mean some people will get refunds immediately when the order took effect; others will be refunded on April 23, 2025.