Given the ongoing humanitarian situation in Ukraine, Canada has implemented various processes to allow Ukrainians to enter or remain in Canada. The measures are summarized at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures.html. These include measures for various situations including those already in Canada, how Canadians with relatives in Ukraine can assist, allowances for travel to Canada, and other provisions.
In this article, we wish to highlight one area of the measures, namely, allowances for temporary travel to Canada at this time, for those not already here. Under the ‘Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel’ (CUAET), Ukrainians are able to come to Canada temporarily for an initial three-year period (renewable thereafter), and are allowed to work, if a work permit is sought. Highlights of the program:
- Application fees are waived
- The visa granted is for 10 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first
- The visa allows exit from, and re-entry to, Canada during the validity of the visa
- Processing will be on a priority basis
- Allows for the option to seek a (fee-exempt) work permit as well, at the time of application
- Students under 18 will be granted study permits
- Applicants require a Ukrainian passport or other national identity document
- Others may still be permitted entry through a Temporary Resident Permit, to be determined by the adjudicating officer
- The requirement for full vaccination using approved vaccines, is waived.
There are of course further details about this particular program, which can also be found at https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/cuaet.html.
Canadian citizens, or even Canadian employers, (or even those in other parts of the world) who are familiar with any Ukrainian citizens who may benefit from this program, may wish to relay this information to relevant parties, and follow the relevant guidelines.
The information in this article is for general purposes only, and not intended as legal advice for any particular situation.