On February 24, 2022, Russia launched a full-scale invasion into Ukraine. Since then, there have been domestic and international movements of the Ukrainian population, including to Canada given our country’s strong Ukrainian-Canadian community.
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program was launched in March 2022 to provide a temporary safe haven for Ukrainians and their family members. Intake of overseas applications under the CUAET closed on July 15, 2023. Canada received over 1.4 million applications under the CUAET program since its inception and a total of 1,086,322 work permits and temporary resident visas have been approved as of 31 August 2023.
As of July 16, 2023, Ukrainians and their family members can apply for a regular temporary resident visa to come to Canada. Once in Canada, these clients will be eligible to apply, until March 31, 2024, for study permits, open work permits, and an extended stay of up to three years, and will benefit from priority application processing.
On July 15, 2023, the Government announced a new family reunification pathway to permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals residing in Canada, that will be launched on October 23, 2023. To qualify, Ukrainian nationals must be in Canada with valid temporary resident status and have a Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member in Canada.
Key Messages
Canada continues to stand with the people of Ukraine and is committed to helping Ukrainians and their family members find a temporary safe haven while they flee war.
July 15, 2023 was the last day to apply for a temporary resident visa (TRV) or an open work permit under the CUAET program. The Department will process all CUAET applications that were submitted up to July 15, 2023. Approved CUAET clients have until March 31, 2024 to enter Canada and be eligible for in-Canada supports, such as temporary accommodations and transitional financial assistance. Settlement services are available to all Ukrainian nationals in Canada until March 31, 2025.
Ukrainians and their family members applying as temporary residents as of July 16, 2023 will not have access to federally-funded temporary accommodations or transitional financial assistance (Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative - CUTAI) upon arrival in Canada, but will have access to settlement services such as language training and orientation services until March 31, 2025.
Supplementary Information
If pressed on other supports
The Government of Canada continues to work closely with provincial, territorial, and municipal partners, as well as settlement service providers and the Ukrainian-Canadian community, to welcome Ukrainians and their family members fleeing Russia’s illegal invasion.
The extension of federally-funded settlement services to these individuals, in provinces and territories outside of Quebec, allows for those fleeing the invasion to fully participate in Canadian communities. These services include activities that promote connections with communities, provide information about life in Canada including how to obtain longer term housing, language training and employment.
For CUAET holders arriving before March 31, 2024, the Government of Canada continues to provide transitional financial assistance and temporary accommodations (for up to 14 nights).
Quebec provides its own settlement services and temporary accommodations to Ukrainians and their family members fleeing the invasion.
If pressed on Budget:
On March 22, 2023, the federal government announced that it was extending the CUAET temporary pathway by allowing Ukrainians to apply until July 15, 2023, and provide supports to those who arrive in Canada until March 31, 2024.
To support this extension, the government committed an additional $171.4 million over three years, starting in 2022-23. This amount is in addition to funding previously committed in Budget 2022 and the 2022 Fall Economic Statement, which currently totals over $1 billion.
If pressed on Ukraine’s request for visa liberalization:
Canada and Ukraine enjoy a close friendship built on shared values and strong people-to-people connections.
Similar to like-minded partners, Canada considers a range of factors before lifting a country’s visa requirement.
Our relationship with Ukraine is a key factor, but so is the safety and security of Canadians, and the importance of maintaining a well-managed migration system.
We have a number of special immigration solutions that we believe will help Ukrainians.
The situation in Ukraine continues to be monitored very closely as we endeavour to support the people of Ukraine.
If pressed on PR Pathways:
Eligible individuals under the new family reunification pathway will include Ukrainian spouses, common-law partners, children, parents, grandparents, siblings or grandchildren of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. Additionally, the spouse or common-law partner of an eligible relative who was unable to leave Ukraine or who passed away will also be eligible to apply. No financial undertaking will be required. More detailed information will be made available closer to the program’s launch on October 23, 2023.
In the interim, Ukrainians who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently can apply for permanent residence through various immigration programs and streams, including economic pathways and through family sponsorship.
