Canada has opened a new pathway to permanent residency for Ukrainians here on temporary resident visas with family connections.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, launched on Feb. 24 last year, rages on and so Canada has stepped up its game to welcome Ukrainians fleeing the violence in their homeland.
“As we continue to witness the devastating impact of Putin’s illegal invasion, we stand resolute in our condemnation of this senseless violence,” said then-Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in announcing the new pathway earlier this year.
“We continue to extend unwavering support and a lifeline to families separated by this conflict, including through this family reunification pathway that will help Ukrainian families stay together as they rebuild their lives in their new communities in Canada.
“This continued support builds on our steadfast commitment to help Ukrainians find a safe haven and provide them with the assistance they need.”
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With the launch of the new pathway on Monday, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) also released more details of exactly how it works.
Ukrainian foreign nationals in Canada and their family members can apply for permanent residence can apply for permanent residence under the new pathway even if their family members live outside of Canada.
“Permanent resident visas will be issued to family members living outside of Canada,” notes the IRCC on its website. “If you meet the eligibility criteria of the public policy, you can apply for permanent residence.”
Once Canadian immigration officials receive the application, they check that the applicants have submitted all the required information and meet the eligibility criteria.
“If we confirm you’re eligible, we’ll: invite you and your family members to complete
medical exams, if required; criminal and security checks
biometrics, if required, (and); tell you our decision once we’ve processed your application,” notes the IRCC.
Qualifying relatives of Ukrainians already in Canada include:
- spouses and common-law partners;
- children (regardless of age);
- grandchildren;
- parents;
- grandparents, and;
- sibling (or half-sibling).
Canada Has Welcomed 185,753 Ukrainians Under CUAET
Only weeks after Russian President Vladimir Putin’s forces invaded the Ukraine in February last year, Canada responded by opening its arms to Ukrainians and putting in place the Canada-Ukraine Authorizations for Emergency Travel (CUAET) pathway.
The CUAET pathway was meant to allow those fleeing Putin’s war in the Ukraine to stay in Canada for up to three years and make them eligible for free open work and study permits.
It went into effect March 17, 2022.
By Sept. 30 this year, the most recent date for which data is available, Canadian immigration had received 1,189,372 applications under CUAET and approved 909,464. Canada had by then welcomed 185,753 Ukrainians under CUAET.
Canada’s move to offer permanent residency to Ukrainians flies in the face of the advice by international relations experts who have cautioned it could send the wrong message to Ukrainians fighting for their freedom back in the Ukraine.
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“We want to, generally, encourage the eight to 11 million people that fled to go back and rebuild,” Ihor Michalchyshyn, chief executive officer of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, reportedly told the Canadian Press.
Earlier this year, Michal McGill Institute for the Study of Canada director Daniel Béland reportedly told the news agency that any move by Ottawa to offer Ukrainians permanent residency should be closely co-ordinated with the Ukrainian government.
In diplomatic circles, a premature offer of permanent residency to Ukrainians could be seen as a sign that Ottawa is less-than-optimistic about Ukraine’s chances of winning this war and beat back Russian forces.
“This is something that certainly should involve a discussion with the Ukrainian government,” Béland reportedly said. “At the same time, we don’t know how long this conflict will be. It’s unlikely to end any time soon.”
As it implemented the CUAET pathway, Ottawa upped its immigration application processing capacity in Europe and also sent mobile biometrics kits to Warsaw, Vienna and Bucharest to take the fingerprints and portrait photos of prospective Ukrainian refugees.
The government also increased its federal settlement programs to include language training, orientation, employment assistance and other supports for Ukrainians as they settle into their new communities.
Ukrainians Coming To Canada Under CUAET Given $3,000 Per Adult And $1,500 Per Child
In addition to settlement services, Ukrainians fleeing to Canada were also offered transitional financial assistance of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child.
“These funds will help Ukrainian nationals and their family members meet their basic needs, such as transportation and longer-term housing, as they arrive in communities across Canada and find a job,” noted IRCC on its website.
“Settlement services will remain available to Ukrainians and their family members after they arrive so that they can fully participate in Canadian communities while they are here. Ukrainians and their family members will also continue to benefit from the one-time transitional financial support, as well as from access to emergency accommodations for up to two weeks, if needed, after they arrive in Canada.”
Among the other immigration measures announced since the start of the Russia-Ukraine war for Ukrainians are:
- a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that is available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Web form with their enquiry and their e-mail is then prioritized;
- 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;
- an updated web page to provide current information on measures. This page includes content in Ukrainian for ease of reference;
- permission for Ukrainians currently in Canada to extend their stay or stay longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits, and extending a policy that allows individuals to apply for a work permit from within Canada. This policy allows temporary residents who receive a job offer to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed, and;
- the issuance of open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home, so they can stay longer if they wish. Fees are being waived, retroactive to Feb. 22 last year, for certain travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proofs of citizenship, visitor visas, and work and study permits.