IRCC Deputy Minister Transition Binder 2022: IRCC Response for Ukraine

July 2022

Total CUAET applications received 343,283

Operational Posture:

The chancery of Canada’s Embassy in Kyiv, including the IRCC office has been temporarily closed as of February 9, 2022. Visa Application Centres in Kyiv and Lviv have been closed since February 24, 2022. As of May 9, 2022, a diplomatic presence has been re-established at the Embassy in Kyiv by Global Affairs Canada, but client-facing services remain unavailable. IRCC continues to deliver immigration services through its global integrated network and online. The Department has increased operational readiness in Europe, including relocating staff, opening large-scale biometric collection centres and moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits, to address increased volumes.

Policy Authority & Funding Decisions:

Budget 2022 provides additional funding to bolster Canada’s response to Russia’s illegal invasion of Ukraine and details some measures already in place, including the funding of $111M over five years, with $6M in future years, to implement new immigration measures for Ukrainians. [Redacted] The most recent funding decision also indicated that, should the Minister wish to seek additional funding for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program, the Minister should first consult with his Cabinet colleagues about the future of programming to support Ukrainians.

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)

• The CUAET was launched on March 17, 2022. All Ukrainian nationals and their family members can apply under this public policy, and, pending background check and security screening, could be authorized to stay and work in Canada for up to three years.
• Ukrainian workers, students and visitors and their family members already in Canada may also either apply to extend their visitor status or work permit for three years, apply for a new work or study permit IRCC waives extension and work or study permit application fees.
• The Department is also exempting lower-risk Ukrainian nationals applying under the CUAET from providing biometrics. Biometrics are currently a requirement before arrival in Canada for the majority of Ukrainian nationals.
• There is currently no limit to the number of Ukrainians who can apply. [Redacted].
• IRCC has received 343,283 applications and approved 146,461 between March 17 and July 8, 2022 under this measure.

Impact of CUAET on Departmental Priorities

• To-date, the Department has been able to protect its top priorities, such as efforts to resettle refugees from Afghanistan and delivery of the 432k new immigrants under the Immigration Levels Plan. [Redacted].
• IRCC is already unable to meet temporary resident visa processing time standards, as it enters the first high travel season following the pandemic.
• The priority placed on CUAET applications has also contributed to additional growth in the significant inventory of visitor visa applications.
• Intake for the International Experience Canada program has been delayed, and the timely processing of (non-Ukrainian) work permits to support Canada’s economic recovery is at risk.
• Timely decisions for intending international students are also at risk, given the current peak of intake for the fall semester (which impacts the financial benefits they bring for schools).

data as of July 8, 2022

Measures for Ukraine

Winter 2022

• Priority-process applications for travel documents for Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their 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.
• Implemented a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries on immigration; urgent processing of travel documents; prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits for Ukrainians currently in Canada; and waiving fees for certain travel and immigration documents.
• A class-based national interest exemption was issued to allow unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Ukrainian nationals holding a temporary resident visa or permit, and their family members who hold a temporary resident visa or permit, or an eTA, to enter Canada. Quarantine and testing must still be met and with limited exceptions, all travelers to Canada must also use ArriveCan.

Spring 2022

• The Department collaborated with Amex Global Business Travel to coordinate charter flights from Warsaw: the first brought 328 Ukrainians and their families to Winnipeg; the second,~306 CUAET clients to Montreal; final charter brought 319 to Halifax.
• As of June 2, Ukrainian nationals and their families who are eligible for the transitional financial support under the Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI) can apply online to Service Canada to receive a one-time financial support ($3,000 per adult and $1,500 for children under 18) >15k eligible clients have been approved for to date.
• Assisting with the coordination of some private sector support, such as the Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund. Canadians and Canadian companies can also donate Aeroplan points to the Ukraine2Canada Travel Fund through Air Canada or Miles4Migrants, or cash through the Jewish Foundation of Greater Toronto. Since announced on April 20, over 68.5 million miles and $10,000 have been donated. The application process opened on June 10 for Ukrainian nationals and their accompanying family members who hold valid Canadian travel documents.

Upcoming

• IRCC is exploring the implementation of a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence. [Redacted].
• The Department is collaborating with partners on a phased approach for implementing temporary accommodations for Ukrainian arrivals. The first phase focused on accommodations for those arriving via the three charters, the second phase will address supports for the broader number of visa holders under the CUAET, arriving without planned accommodation. [Redacted].

Total Ukrainians arrived in Canada 55,488

Settlement Services

• IRCC has put in place a number of measures to ensure that Ukrainians receive a warm welcome and concrete supports in their communities upon arrival.
• Since April 1, the Canadian Red Cross has been providing reception services to Ukrainians arriving at three major ports of entry – in Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver. The Canadian Red Cross is providing Ukrainians with a welcome package that includes information on how to obtain a social insurance number, get a driver’s license, where to access settlement and social services in their community etc. Financial assistance and/or accommodations are also provided in emergency cases.
• In addition, settlement supports funded through our Settlement Program was temporarily extended to all Ukrainian temporary residents in April 2022, to help them and their dependents learn about life in Canada and how to integrate into the labour market, take language classes and enroll children in school.
• IRCC continues to co-chair the national coordination table – Operation Ukrainian Safe Haven – that convenes weekly to share updates on progress, discuss emerging issues and ensure coordination on common challenges with representatives from the settlement sector, provinces and territories (including Quebec), the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and other organisations such as Inclusion Canada representing the needs of disabled Ukrainians.
• The national coordination table launched an online portal where Canadians can donate money and volunteer, and Ukrainians can find information on how to find a job, secure accommodation and access other social services. The portal also accepts housing offers such as rental opportunities and employment opportunities which are redirected to Employment and Social Development Canada’s Job Bank.

Provincial and Territorial Collaboration

• Alongside federal measures, in most instances, provinces and territories (PT) are providing a range of supports and access to provincial services including health coverage, social assistance, education, disability support, housing and provincial settlement services. Specific PTs have also taken other measures, from sending a team of officials to Poland to help ensure Ukrainians were aware of Canada as a place of safe haven (Newfoundland and Labrador), providing medical supplies (Ontario), standing up their own reception services (Quebec, Manitoba), organizing charter flights for Ukrainians, and other measures to support arriving Ukrainians.
• Departmental officials have been closely collaborating with PT counterparts and stakeholders to communicate about federal measures, and to discuss plans to support arriving Ukrainians. F/PT Officials at the DM, ADM, or DG level meet on a weekly basis. IRCC has also formed the Ukrainian Cross-Sectoral Collaboration Governance Table, with PTs and stakeholder organizations from the immigration and settlement services sector, which meets weekly.
• While PTs have been interested in supporting arriving Ukrainians and Canada’s response, some have also expressed concern about compounding pressures on PT services caused by increases in levels, asylum volumes and Afghan resettlement efforts, in addition to Canada’s immigration response to the crisis in Ukraine. Several jurisdictions (including British Columbia and Ontario), have noted significant housing pressure in their respective jurisdictions specific to incoming Ukrainians.
• In a letter submitted to Minister Fraser in April, PTs have also indicated the need for federal funding to reimburse PTs for costs incurred for their support measures. PTs have been advised to pursue a request for federal funding through Intergovernmental Affairs tables.

data as of July 8, 2022