As part of the Government of Canada’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced immigration measures to support Ukrainians, wherever they may be.
In mid-January, IRCC implemented measures to priority-process applications for travel documents for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members, and grant applications for adoption, and permanent and temporary residence applications for people with a primary residence in Ukraine who want to reunite or travel with family, study, work or start a new life in Canada.
On February 24, Canada announced additional and immediate measures to help people affected by the ongoing situation in Ukraine, including making it easier and faster for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their accompanying immediate family members to return to Canada. These new measures include:
Establishing a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries on immigration;
Urgent processing of travel documents, including issuing single-journey travel documents for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have valid passports;
Ensuring that Ukrainians currently in Canada are able to extend their stay or work longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits;
Issuing open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers, and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home; and
Waiving fees for travel and immigration documents, such as for Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas and work and study permits.
On March 3, new immigration streams were announced for Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently, such as:
a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), available for an Ukrainian nationals.
For immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, IRCC is also implementing a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence.
On March 17, the CUAET was launched, providing Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality the opportunity to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years, and are eligible for a free open work permit or study permit, allowing them to take a job with almost any Canadian employer or enroll in an education program in Canada.
Ukrainian workers, students or visitors and their immediate family members who are already in Canada can also benefit from these measures by either applying to extend their visitor status or work permit by up to three years, or by applying for a new work or study permit. IRCC will waive all extension and permit applications fees.
Over the last several weeks, IRCC has been working closely with other government departments, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and others across the Ukrainian-Canadian community to ensure that all measures meet the needs of Ukrainians and their communities. IRCC will continue to engage with provinces and territories, and other partners as to how they can contribute and support the effort.
Supplementary messages
The chancery of Canada’s Embassy in Kyiv, including the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office has been temporarily closed as of February 9, 2022. Visa application centres in Kyiv and Lviv have been closed since February 24.
IRCC continues to deliver immigration services through its global integrated network. IRCC has increased operational readiness in Europe, including relocating staff and moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits, in anticipation of an increased volume of requests.
Online options are available for most applications.
Between January 1, 2022 and March 13, 2022, over 5,728 applications from Ukrainian citizens or residents have been approved. This includes: 2,580 temporary residence applications, 1,567 applications for permanent residence, and 1,548 extensions of temporary residence documents.
I have issued a class-based national interest exemption to allow unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Ukrainian nationals and their family members who hold a temporary resident visa or permit to enter Canada. This also applies to people who are vaccinated with vaccines not currently recognized by Canada. These individuals will be subject to all other public health requirements to protect the health of Canadians.
Conversations are ongoing between the Government of Canada, provinces and territories and key organizations across the country on how we can best support Ukrainian arrivals.
Ukrainians coming to Canada as permanent residents, including through the special Family Reunification Pathway, will be eligible for IRCC-funded settlement services, such as employment-related services and language training, so they can succeed in and contribute to Canada over the long term.
Ukrainians arriving through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) measure are expected to remain in Canada on a temporary basis. While they will not receive IRCC funded settlement services, these individuals may be eligible to receive settlement and social services from partners who play a key role in supporting temporary residents, including provincial and territorial governments.
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 Canada’s like-minded partners, Canada considers a range of factors before lifting a country’s visa requirement.
Our relationship Ukraine is indeed a key factor, but so is the safety and security of Canadians, and the importance of maintaining a well-managed migration system.
We already have a number of effective immigration solutions that we believe will help Ukrainians.
Canada’s visa approach is in line with that of the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand.
Ukraine’s visa requirement is not currently under review. We are actively monitoring the situation to support the people of Ukraine.
Background
Internal and external displacement of Ukrainians has already begun, and could reach significant numbers over time.
Canada anticipates that the majority of international displacement will be in Europe, particularly in the EU states closest to Ukraine, but Canada is prepared to continue supporting all Ukrainians including in-Canada Ukrainian nationals wishing to remain in Canada.
Visa exemption request and related issues:
A preliminary analysis of Ukraine’s country conditions indicate that a review of the visa requirement would be challenging.
Canada and Ukraine have a dedicated channel through which to discuss the visa requirement, and other migration matters of mutual interest, via the Canada-Ukraine Mobility Working Group (CUMWG).
