Extension of Syria Humanitarian General Permit

Summary#

The federal government registered the Order Amending the General Permit Allowing Specified Activities and Transactions that Are Prohibited Under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations. It extends the time the temporary permit is valid so Canadians can continue certain humanitarian and stabilization-related transactions with Syria; the order came into force on August 27, 2025.

What it does#

• Extends the existing General Permit Allowing Specified Activities and Transactions that Are Prohibited Under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations from an initial validity of 180 days to 360 days (effectively adding six months).
• Continues to allow people in Canada and Canadians abroad to carry out specific humanitarian, democratization and stabilization transactions with Syria that would otherwise be banned under the Special Economic Measures (Syria) Regulations.
• Keeps in place that the permit specifically allows transactions with seven Syrian banks that are listed under the Syria sanctions: Commercial Bank of Syria, Real Estate Bank, Industrial Bank, Popular Credit Bank, Saving Bank, Agricultural Cooperative Bank, and the Central Bank of Syria.
• Makes clear that other prohibitions still apply for activities outside the scope of the General Permit, and that criminal or UN sanctions may still limit some transactions.

Who's affected#

• Canadians and any persons in Canada who want to give money or services for humanitarian or stabilization purposes in Syria.
• Civil society organizations, non‑profit organizations, charities and groups from the Syrian diaspora who send aid or support programs in Syria.
• Banks and financial institutions that process transfers to or from Syria — they will need to update checks to reflect the new permit validity.
• People or businesses that want to do activities with listed individuals or entities not covered by the permit remain prohibited and could face criminal penalties.

Why it matters#

• The change makes it easier for Canadians and organizations to provide humanitarian aid, recovery assistance and some stabilization or democratization support to people in Syria without seeking individual permits for the next six months.
• For aid groups and diaspora families, it removes a barrier to sending funds or services quickly to Syria, including through the seven listed banks.
• Financial institutions must keep monitoring systems up to date, but the government expects any extra costs to be negligible.
• The order does not remove sanctions overall: most restrictions stay in place and criminal or UN-based prohibitions still apply. Non-compliance can carry penalties such as fines (up to $25,000 on summary conviction) or imprisonment.