New Temporary Residence Pathway to Welcome Those Fleeing the War in Ukraine
March 18, 2022
In continuation of our response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) today announced the launch of applications for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). This is a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians seeking safe haven in Canada while the conflict in their home country continues. The CUAET is for Ukrainians and their family members who want to come to Canada temporarily and then return home when it is safe to do so.
Once approved, Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality may stay in Canada as temporary residents for three years. Applicants who are overseas need to apply online for a Canadian visitor visa and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and a photo), and are encouraged to apply for a free, three-year open work permit at the same time as their visa application, which will allow them to find work if they so choose. Elementary and high school students can be registered and start attending school as soon as they arrive in Canada, and anyone looking to study at the post-secondary level can apply for a free study permit once on Canadian soil.
Ukrainian workers, students or visitors and their family members who are already in Canada also benefit from these measures. They may either apply to extend their visitor status or work permit for three years or apply for a new work or study permit. IRCC will waive all extension and work or study permit application fees.
The Government of Canada is also calling on employers who wish to support Ukrainians with offers of employment to register these offers on Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage. Job Bank will then work with local organizations and employers to help connect them with Ukrainians seeking work in their communities. We are also in discussions with partners, including provinces and territories, the business community, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, and settlement organizations on how best to support those arriving from Ukraine. IRCC will continue to monitor volumes of travellers and their needs closely and will take action as required.
We recognize that some immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may want to start a new life in Canada. For these families, IRCC will quickly implement a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence. We will develop the details of this program in the coming weeks, including by working closely with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.
Quick facts
- Visa applications can be submitted online, from anywhere in the world. Biometrics can be given at any visa application centre (VAC) outside of Ukraine. VACs are open in Moldova, Romania, Austria and Poland, and there is an extensive VAC network across Europe.
- In addition to our pre-existing VAC network, we have been working to set up temporary pop-ups for biometrics collection as demand requires. For example, mobile biometric enrolment kits have been sent to IRCC’s office in Warsaw, as well as to Vienna and Bucharest.
- For standard cases, the CUAET will facilitate the rapid processing of electronic visa applications within 14 days of receipt of a complete application.
- All visa applicants will undergo standard background checks and be carefully screened before coming into Canada.
- IRCC has established a dedicated service channel for Ukraine immigration enquiries available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. Clients can add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC crisis web form with their enquiry and it will be prioritized.
- Special measures for Ukrainians will not impact the processing of refugee applications. We remain steadfast in our commitment to welcoming individuals through our government-assisted and privately sponsored refugee programs, including welcoming at least 40,000 Afghan refugees.
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