Canada pledges five-fold increase in visas for Gazans

Canada said it will increase the number of Gazans who will be eligible for visas from 1,000 to 5,000.

Gazans will be able to apply for a temporary resident visa if they live in Gaza, are related to a Canadian citizen or a permanent resident who lives in Canada, and they will be supported by that relative for a year, the Canadian government said Monday. 

In most cases, people granted visas will be able to stay for up to three years, according to Canadian officials. 

Canada first announced the special visa program for 1,000 Gazans in December before increasing the number of visas to 5,000 on Monday, Reuters reported.

"While movement out of Gaza is not currently possible, the situation may change at any time. With this cap increase, we will be ready to help more people as the situation evolves. Our focus remains on keeping families together," Canadian Immigration Minister Marc Miller said. "Canada continues to put forward the names of those who have passed preliminary screening to local authorities to secure their exit from Gaza."

People have been able to make their way out of Gaza, typically through Egypt, although not through traditional immigration channels. For example, more than 1,000 members of Hamas are being treated in Turkey, Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan said earlier this month. How they made it to Turkey for treatment was not immediately clear.

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