Canada has launched a new family reunification pathway for Ukrainian temporary residents, giving them the opportunity to apply for permanent resident status if they meet eligibility criteria. Under the new pathway, Ukrainian temporary residents already living in Canada may be eligible for permanent resident status if they have one or more Canadian citizen or permanent resident family members in Canada, such as a spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, sibling, children, or grandchildren. The new pathway will not impact the number of spaces available through the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Ukrainians accepted under this pathway are in addition to any family members who come to Canada through this program. Families have until October 22, 2024 to submit an application.
The Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was launched in March 2022 in response to the Russian invasion, allowing Ukrainian citizens to apply for a visitor visa and a temporary work permit at no cost. Between March 2022 and July 2023, 1,189,372 applications were received through CUAET, 909,464 applications were approved, and 185,753 Ukrainians had arrived in Canada. Ukrainians were exempted 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, and Biometrics. The Government of Canada also offered a one-time settlement support fee of $3,000. As of July 15, 2023, IRCC stopped accepting applications through CUAET, however, they are still processing any applications received on or before that date. Approved Ukrainian nationals who have not yet arrived in Canada have until March 31, 2024, to arrive under these special measures.
After the March deadline, approved Ukrainian nationals who have not yet arrived in Canada will be subject to regular processing and fees for a temporary resident (visitor) visa and they must wait until they arrive in Canada to apply for a work or study permit. Families who wish to take advantage of the new family reunification pathway for Ukrainian temporary residents have until October 22, 2024, to submit an application. This pathway gives Ukrainian temporary residents the opportunity to apply for permanent resident status if they meet the eligibility criteria. The pathway is available for Ukrainian national living in Canada. It requires a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from their spouse or partner’s family member in Canada explaining the relationship to them. Eligible candidates must not have remarried or be in a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine. They must also provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from their spouse or partner’s family member in Canada explaining the relationship to them. This new pathway allows families to reunite and build a future together in Canada.
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