Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has announced a series of special measures for Ukrainian nationals who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently and for those already here. The information provided below is current as of March 18, 2022.
UKRAINIAN NATIONALS ABROAD
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)
The CUAET will facilitate travel to and temporary resident status in Canada for Ukrainian nationals and their family members who want to come to Canada temporarily. It is not a refugee immigration stream. There is no cap on the number of CUAET applications that will be accepted and processed, and applications may be processed in 14 days for non-complex cases. The CUAET may allow applicants to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to 3 years.
Applicants will have the option of applying, free of charge, for an Open Work Permit concurrently with their CUAET. Work experience gained in Canada upon arrival may be able to assist in setting Ukrainian nationals and their family members up for eligibility under Canada’s permanent residence immigration programs and streams.
IRCC has stated that elementary and high school students will be able to study in Canada upon arrival and individuals looking to study at the post-secondary level will be able to apply for Study Permits once on Canadian soil. IRCC’s criteria and considerations with respect to age and when a Study Permit is required will still apply. More detailed information on eligibility and process can be found here.
Who is eligible?
All Ukrainian nationals and family members of Ukrainian nationals (of any nationality) can apply for the CUAET. Eligible family members included: the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national; their dependent child; the dependent child of their spouse / common-law partner; or a dependent child of their dependent child.
How/where to apply?
Applicants can apply online. Detailed information about how to set up an online portal account with IRCC to complete the application process as well as additional guidance on completing the immigration forms can be found here.
There is no fee to apply.
Additional Considerations
- Biometrics: The requirement to submit to biometrics (fingerprinting and photo) prior to the issuance of a CUAET has not been lifted. Often this step is completed at Visa Application Centres – however, the Visa Application Centres in Ukraine are closed at this time. VACs in neighbouring countries are open. IRCC is also taking steps to implement mobile biometric collection kits within other countries. The CAD $85 biometric fee will be waived. If a person has previously completed biometrics for Canadian immigration purposes (within the last 10 years), they likely will not be required to complete this step again.
- Immigration Medical Exams: In many cases, an immigration medical exam must be completed as part of a Canadian immigration process and prior to traveling to Canada. A CUAET applicant from overseas will not be required to complete an immigration medical exam prior to traveling to Canada. However, individuals may be requested to complete and pay for select diagnostic testing within 90 days of arrival to screen for reportable communicable diseases.
- Vaccination Requirements: Applicants for the CUAET are exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements. However, they will still be required to meet all other public health requirements for travel, including quarantine and testing. Applicants, with very limited exceptions, will also be required to complete the mandatory ArriveCAN submission prior to travelling to Canada.
- No Passport/Expired Passport: For overseas applicants without passports or with expired passports, IRCC has the discretion to issue a single journey travel document and a temporary resident permit to permit travel. This will be done on a case-by-case basis under exceptional circumstances and depending on the applicant’s situation.
UKRAINIAN NATIONALS IN CANADA
Ukrainian nationals and their family members (as defined above) who acquire or already have temporary status in Canada can still benefit from the special measures described above. The CUAET will provide a mechanism for extending temporary resident status in Canada free of charge as follows:
- as a visitor for up to 3 more years or until passport expiry if that is before 3 years
- as a worker for up to 3 more years or until passport expiry if that is before 3 years
- as a student (duration may depend on duration of studies, age of applicant and type of study)
For the time being, in-Canada applicants will not be required to complete biometrics as part of the application process. However, they may be required to complete an immigration medical exam.
Applicants can apply online. Detailed information about how to set up an online portal account with IRCC to complete the application process as well as additional guidance on completing the immigration forms can be found here.
UKRAINIAN NATIONALS WITH CANADIAN CITIZEN/PERMANENT RESIDENT FAMILY MEMBERS
Family sponsorship is a pathway to Permanent Residence in Canada. IRCC has committed to implementing a special reunification sponsorship pathway to Permanent Residence for Ukrainian nationals. The details of this program will be announced in the coming weeks. This program may facilitate sponsorship of a wider circle of family members (not just spouses and dependent children).
At the present time, IRCC has indicated that priority processing will be available for family sponsorship applications if the sponsored person is a Ukrainian national outside of Canada and either the spouse, common law partner, conjugal partner, or dependent child (including adopted children) of a Canadian citizen or Permanent Resident.
CANADIAN CITIZENS & PERMANENT RESIDENTS
IRCC is also prioritizing proof of citizenship applications and Permanent Resident Travel Document applications (for Permanent Residents who do not have valid Permanent Resident Cards to use for travel to Canada). The Web Form should be used to flag the urgency of travel by inserting UKRAINE2022 at the end of the description section.
REFUGEE CLAIMS
Ukrainian nationals may be eligible to make a claim for refugee protection. This is not covered in this summary and is different from the measures described above.
EMERGENCY INFORMATION LINE
IRCC has established a phone line for immigration inquiries related to the crisis in Ukraine: 613-321-4243.
CONTACT INFORMATION
For any inquiries, please contact Krista Antonio (Associate) at kantonio@canada-usa.com or (416) 526-1869 or Andrew Cumming (Managing Partner) at acumming@canada-usa.com or (647) 282-4449.
