“War Law” – Three-Year Work Visa

The Canadian government has launched a special program following the war that allows Israelis to obtain an open work visa in Canada for three years under certain conditions.

The program allows obtaining a three-year work visa even without meeting specific professional or educational requirements.

The program has three categories:

Israelis who are already in Canada and do not feel safe returning to Israel at this time. There is no reference to the date of entry into Canada, or the length of stay (i.e., this category is valid regardless of the date of arrival in Canada, as long as you are in Canada legally).
Israelis who are already in Canada, arrived on or after October 7, and are immediate family members of Canadian citizens or Permanent Residents (immediate family is defined as spouses or children).
Israeli Permanent Residents who arrived on or after October 7 will be eligible for special benefits, such as government health insurance without a waiting period.

Details on applying for a work visa:

There is no application fee (usually there is a fee).
As part of the application, you will be required to provide fingerprints and pay for the process.
Medical examinations if necessary – blood test, urine test, X-ray and questioning by a doctor. Medical examinations are relevant to those who plan to work in the medical field or with children.
A certificate of good conduct from the police in Israel.
Proof that you do not pose a danger to Canada (usually there is one security check based on the certificate of good conduct, it seems in this program there is another check performed by Canada. It is likely that all this is determined because the program is also open to Palestinians from Gaza).
No intention to work with a list of prohibited businesses and the prohibition of working in the erotic services industry.
Proof that you have enough money to live in Canada for yourself and the family members who came with you, and that you have a way to return to Israel (it is advisable to have a return flight ticket). More details on the required amount can be found later in the article.
You must prove to the border officer upon entering Canada that you intend to return to Israel when the situation improves or when your legal stay ends. It is important to note that if you do receive a three-year work visa and wish to immigrate to Canada permanently, there is no prohibition against doing so through recognized immigration routes.

How to submit the application?

The application cannot be submitted from Israel. You must arrive in Canada as a tourist and cross the border with this status and only then submit. That is, this application cannot be submitted at the border. It is very likely that the questioning to meet the conditions of this application will be more thorough than usual due to the situation.

We remind you again that in order to receive the open work permit under the program, you must show an intention to return to Israel at the end of the conflict. This does not mean that you will be required to return or that you will not be able to find another legal way to stay. This condition can be confusing, but it is important to understand that this is a special and temporary program and that immigration programs to Canada are very dynamic. Our office can help you plan this move strategically so that you increase your chances of not only receiving the work permit but also immigrating to Canada legally.

Practical tips:

If you are interested in trying to submit the visa, our recommendation is to buy plane tickets to Canada for a period of only a few weeks. Do not take drastic steps yet, such as selling an apartment or car. Try to take a vacation from work or unpaid leave if possible instead of resigning.
Do not send boxes or a container with you, as this will show the immigration officer your intention to stay in Canada and thus deviate from the program’s conditions.
You must remain in Canada until you receive the work permit. It is not yet clear how long this will take, but prepare yourself for a period of up to three months. We estimate that it will take less than that, but it is not possible to know at this time. After receiving the work permit, you can leave Canada.
With the work visa, you will be able to work for any employer (there are also closed work visas that allow you to work only for a specific employer).
Under no circumstances should you submit or request a refugee visa, even if the immigration officer at the border offers it to you. Since the State of Israel has an army and the state does not actively persecute or endanger its residents, Israelis are not eligible for a refugee visa. Applying for a refugee visa or even declaring such an intention may prevent you from receiving any visa in Canada, even an ETA, which is a tourist visa.

Frequently Asked Questions

Question: If I have already started another immigration process, can I still come and apply for this program?

Answer: Yes. Canada recognizes Dual intent, so if you have submitted an application for any immigration route from Israel and have not yet received an answer, you can come to Canada and apply under this special program as well. Moreover, you can say that you came for an impression visit (people who have applied for immigration through the Jewish community come for a preliminary visit as a routine part of the application, for example). It will be important to prove that your current visit is for tourist purposes.

Question: I am a student in Canada right now. Can I apply for this program, and is it advisable to do so?

Answer: Technically and legally, it is possible, but at this stage, we would recommend waiting a bit and seeing how the program works. It is also important to check the cancellation policy of the educational institution. The new application does not cancel your existing permit, so you can apply and see what happens.

Question: Can only one spouse arrive, wait until the visa is granted, and then the rest of the family join?

Answer: Absolutely. If such an arrangement suits you, it can help you manage risks. You won’t have to “close” your life in Israel; one spouse will arrive in Canada and wait for the visa, and upon receiving it, you can make the relocation plans with more certainty and peace of mind.

Question: Can children enroll in schools and kindergartens while waiting for the work visa?

Answer: Children will not be able to enroll in public schools, but the Jewish communities are very supportive and can help find temporary study arrangements in Jewish schools. Until kindergarten (age four), kindergartens are private, and you can enroll them as tourists. In the Toronto area, there are many kindergartens run by Jews and Israelis that provide special solutions for this situation (e.g., subsidized prices). After receiving the work visa, the children will receive a Record visa and will be able to enroll in public schools (which are free).

Question: During the waiting period for a work visa, will we be eligible for government health insurance?

Answer: No. During the waiting period, you will need to purchase private health insurance. In the Toronto area community, there are recommended Israeli health insurance agents who can tailor a tourist health insurance policy for you. In this regard as well, there is assistance from the Jewish communities in special situations.

Question: Where in Canada is it advisable to go?

Answer: Many Israelis come to the Toronto area, which has a large Israeli and Jewish community. However, since Toronto is a major immigration destination, it is very likely that the immigration officer’s check will be more thorough and strict than in other places like Montreal, Nova Scotia, and others. Also, life in Toronto is more expensive. Another important point is that each province has its own immigration pathways that can make it easier for you to stay in Canada after receiving the work permit. Therefore, it is important to consult on a case-by-case basis and plan the move strategically.

Question: How much money is needed for the process?

Answer: The government document did not specify a specific amount, so we will base it on the amount known from the student visa track. The main applicant needs to show 20,000 Canadian dollars in liquid funds in the bank account, in addition to 5,000 dollars for each additional family member who comes with the main applicant. A liquid education fund is also sufficient, as long as it can be clearly shown that it is liquid.

Question: Can I submit the application if my tourist visa is about to expire?

Answer: Yes, as long as the tourist visa is valid (even if valid for only one day), you can submit the work permit application, and then you will be in a waiting status and can legally stay in Canada.

Summary: The application can be submitted until July 2025, but of course, Canada is entitled to shorten this program at any time it deems appropriate. We will be happy to work with you to build the most suitable plan for you and ensure that you can submit the application as quickly as possible upon your arrival in Canada. UCI office offers the service at a reasonable price and will support you all the way in Israel and Canada.

By Michal Ohayon and Svetlana Demb, UCI – U can immigrate office.

For more information and to start the process, contact us by email at [email protected] or by phone at 08-6640006.