Special measures related to Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752

Due to the travel restrictions caused by the novel coronavirus (COVID-19), some foreign national members of the family of victims of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752

• have not been able to leave Canada if they’re currently in Canada
• were unable to travel to Canada if they were overseas

A public policy has been established to support the processing of these individuals and is in effect from March 23, 2021, until January 8, 2022.

For reference, see the applicant instructions.

On this page

• In-Canada extensions
• Overseas issuance
• Exemptions

In-Canada extensions

When processing an application for an extension or restoration of a temporary resident’s status in Canada, delegated officers may grant an exemption identified in the Exemptions section below from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) when a foreign national meets the following conditions:

• The foreign national is a temporary resident in Canada who is either of the following:
  • a member of the family of a victim of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 who has been directly and personally affected by the incident, or
  • the person responsible for settling the victim’s personal affairs, and who requires an extension of their temporary status in Canada, and benefited from the previous public policy of January 16, 2020.
• The foreign national was authorized entry as a temporary resident in Canada, their status has expired and they are either of the following:
  • a member of the family of a victim of Ukraine International Airlines flight PS752 who has been directly and personally affected by the incident, or
  • the person responsible for settling the victim’s personal affairs, who is seeking restoration of their temporary status in Canada, and benefited from the previous public policy of January 16, 2020.

Overseas issuance

Applications should be submitted via the Temporary Resident Electronic Application (TR eAPP). Special program coding relating to this public policy will be added to the Global Case Management System (GCMS), including the appropriate special event code and organization ID.

When processing an application for a temporary resident visa, which may provide for multiple entries with a validity of up to 12 months, or a temporary resident permit, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the IRPA and IRPR identified under Exemptions below, when a foreign national meets both of the following conditions:

• The foreign national is a member of the family of a victim of Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 and either has been directly and personally affected by the incident or is the person responsible for settling the victim’s personal affairs.
• The foreign national was previously approved for a temporary resident visa or temporary resident permit while benefiting from the January 16, 2020 public policy and has been unable to travel to Canada.

National interest exemption to the travel restrictions

Eligible applicants will require a national interest exemption letter to travel. When they have a travel date, they can write to VAD-operations-VCA@cic.gc.ca to request a letter.

Travellers must complete the COVID-19 testing and other requirements before travelling to Canada and the mandatory quarantine upon arrival in Canada.

Exemptions

Exemptions to biometric requirements (section A10.01 and paragraphs R12.1(d) to (g)) may be granted under this public policy.

One of the following requirements for application processing fees in the IRPR may be exempted for applications received by January 8, 2022, if the conditions of the public policy are met:

• an extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a temporary resident [R305(1)]
• restoration of temporary resident status [R306(1)]
• a temporary resident permit [R298(1)]
• a temporary resident visa [R296(1)]
• a temporary resident visa for the applicant and their family members [R296(3)]

To be issued an extension or restoration of temporary resident status, a temporary resident visa, or a temporary resident permit, foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other legislative admissibility and eligibility requirements not exempted under this or another public policy.