The Canadian Government Announces a New PR Route To Reunite Ukrainian Families

Families torn apart by this crisis continue to receive unflinching support and a lifeline from Canada, including through the new family reunion pathway that will assist Ukrainian families to remain together.

The Canadian federal government has started a new immigration program that would grant Canadian permanent resident status to Ukrainians who have fled their war-torn nation and are already living in Canada. Through this family reunion pathway, which will assist Ukrainian families to stay together while they rebuild their lives in their new communities in Canada.

Starting on October 23, 2023, this new route will provide anyone who wishes to stay in Canada that have escaped Russia’s unlawful invasion permanent residence. Ukrainian nationals must have at least one family member residing in Canada and be a temporary resident. Ukrainian spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, and children or grandchildren of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident are among those who are eligible. In-depth details will be made available closer to the program’s October debut. Ukrainians with temporary resident status who have one or more family members residing in Canada will also be eligible.

Once in Canada, temporary residents will be able to apply for Canadian open work permits and Canadian study permits, which will all be given priority, to extend their stay for up to three years. Additionally, they will have access to settlement programs including employment assistance and language instruction.

Over 166,000 Ukrainians have received temporary refuge under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) since its inception in March 2022.

Families that qualify to immigrate to Canada may be sponsored by Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Applications must be filed using the standard procedure. Applications will be given priority by IRCC if the family member you are supporting is:

Ukrainian national outside Canada and one of the following family members:

• your spouse or common-law or conjugal partner
• your dependent child (including adopted children)

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel

(CUAET) is only one of the several unique initiatives the Canadian government has put in place to assist the Ukrainian people. It provides free, prolonged temporary status to Ukrainians and their families, enabling them to live, work, and study in Canada until it is secure for them to return home.

Up to July 15, 2023, Ukrainians and members of their families were able to apply for a CUAET visa abroad. Applications that are submitted before the deadline will still be processed.

The exceptional measures will allow CUAET holders to enter Canada up to March 31, 2024. Holders of CUAETs who are already in Canada will have until March 31, 2024, at no cost, to extend or modify their temporary status.

Ukrainians who applied for temporary resident status from overseas under the current programs are subject to fees and the usual conditions after July 16, 2023.

Families have until October 22, 2024 to apply for the new track to permanent residency, which needs no financial investment.