Starting from October 23, Canada has introduced a new family reunification pathway for Ukrainian temporary residents, allowing them to apply for permanent resident status and stay with their families permanently.
If Ukrainians living in Canada temporarily have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, like a spouse, parent, sibling, or child, they can now apply to become permanent residents themselves.
This allows them to live in Canada permanently with their loved ones.
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Who is Eligible :
Canada’s new permanent residency pathway for Ukrainians comes with specific eligibility criteria designed to facilitate a smooth application process. To qualify, Candidates must:
- Be in Canada when you submit your application or you’re granted permanent residence.
- Have valid temporary resident status in Canada or have applied to restore their status if expired for less than 90 days.
- Have a valid passport or travel document, or provide supporting identity documents if not holding one.
- Be admissible to Canada.
Applicants must have one or more Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member in Canada, including:
- Spouse
- Common-law partner
- Parent
- Grandparent
- Sibling
- Child
- Grandchild
The Canadian citizen or permanent resident (your husband/common-law’s family member) must:
- currently live in Canada
- be at least 18 years of age or older
- not have been granted permanent residence themselves under this policy
Two Eligibility Categories
The new pathway is divided into two eligibility categories, each tailored to specific circumstances and relationships.
Category 1: Ukrainian Nationals with Canadian Family Members
This category is for Ukrainian nationals who have Canadian family members in Canada.
You must submit a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your Canadian family member, explaining the relationship between you and the family member in Canada.
Category 2: Spouses or Common-Law Partners of Ukrainian Nationals with Canadian Family
This category is for spouses or common-law partners of Ukrainian nationals who have family in Canada.
Your Ukrainian spouse or partner must be unable to leave Ukraine, missing, have passed away, or be presumed to have passed away.
You should not have remarried or entered into a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine.
You must also provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from the Canadian family member of your Ukrainian spouse or partner, explaining the relationship.
Who Can’t Apply:
You cannot apply for permanent residence under this policy if:
- You are outside Canada.
- You are considered inadmissible, except for financial reasons.
- Your relationship type is not mentioned in the specified categories
Important Application Details
Understanding some essential details about this new pathway is crucial for applicants.
- Application Deadline: Interested applicants have until October 22, 2024, to submit their applications for permanent residency under this program.
- Financial Responsibility: Unlike other programs, Canadian family members supporting the application are not financially responsible for the applicant.
- Impact on Other Immigration Programs: This initiative does not affect the availability of spaces in existing programs like the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP).
Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET)
The Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) played a significant role in assisting Ukrainians before the introduction of this permanent residency pathway.
In response to the Russian invasion, CUAET was launched in March 2022 to provide support to Ukrainian citizens fleeing unrest.
Under CUAET, Ukrainian citizens could apply for visitor visas and temporary work permits at no cost.
Approval Figures:
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), as of September 30, 2023, there were 1,189,372 applications received through CUAET, with 909,464 applications approved. Additionally, 185,753 Ukrainians had arrived in Canada.
Exemptions:
The CUAET program exempted Ukrainians from many of the usual fees for temporary residents, such as those for:
- temporary resident status extensions (visitor record)
- restoration of status
- study permits and extensions
- work permits and extensions (including open work permits)
- temporary resident permits
- Biometrics
Settlement Support Fee:
Until June, the Government of Canada offered a one-time settlement support fee of $3,000.
Ending Special Measures
As of July 15, 2023, IRCC stopped accepting applications through CUAET. However, it continues to process any applications received on or before that date.
Arrival Deadline:
For those who have been approved but have not yet arrived in Canada, there is a deadline to consider. Until March 31, 2024, approved Ukrainian nationals can arrive under these special measures.
After the March deadline, approved applicants who have not yet arrived in Canada will be subject to regular processing and fees for a temporary resident (visitor) visa. They must wait until they arrive in Canada to apply for a work or study permit.
Note: For detailed application guidelines and official support, it is highly recommended to visit the official Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
