Toronto 
The federal government has opened applications for Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) through which Canada will accept an unlimited number of Ukrainians fleeing the war in their country.
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel is a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality. Those who come through CUAET are allowed to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to 3 years. The program will allow Ukrainians to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home.
As per the news release, applications will be processed within 14 days of receipt of a complete application.
Ukrainian workers, students and visitors and their family members who are already in Canada can also apply to extend their visitor status or work permit for 3 years, apply for a new work or study permit, or extend their existing permit through the program.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has waived application fees for open work permit study permits, applications to extend temporary resident status and temporary resident permit (CUAET).
If the Ukrainians coming to Canada choose to stay in the country in the future, the news release reads, “Ukrainians and their family members working and studying in Canada will be able to gain valuable Canadian work or education experience to help set them up for future success should they eventually choose to seek permanent residency through IRCC’s immigration programs and streams.”
The federal government is also reminding those Ukrainians and their family members applying for CUAET to be mindful of fraud as there are no fees and no agents or consultants acting on behalf of the Government of Canada.
Announcing the program, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser said, “To the Ukrainians who are defending the values we hold dear, we stand with you—not only in our words, but also in our actions. Canada will offer safe haven to your families while you fight on the front lines of a war to defend your freedom to the benefit of the entire world.”
Canada is also planning a permanent residency program for Ukrainians with family members in Canada. The details of the programs will be announced later this month.
Highlights of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel:
- Ukrainian nationals and immediate family members of Ukrainian nationals (can be any nationality) can apply for CUAET.
- There is no cap on the number of visa, work and study applications that Canada will accept under the CUAET.
- All CUAET applicants remain subject to visa and travel requirements background checks (including biometrics) and security screening.
- For those without a passport or who hold an expired one, IRCC will issue a single journey travel document and a temporary resident permit overseas to permit travel.
- All Ukrainians and their family members will have all their IRCC applications prioritized for processing.
- Applicants will have the option to apply, free of charge, for an open work permit with their visa application, enabling them to find work as quickly as possible will have their electronic visa application processed within 14 days of receipt of a complete application, for standard, non-complex cases.
- Applicants are exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements but must meet all other public health requirements for travel, such as quarantine and testing.
- Applicants are exempt from completing an immigration medical exam (IME) overseas, if applicable, but may be required to complete and pay for a medical diagnostic test within 90 days of arrival in Canada to screen for reportable communicable diseases (chest x-ray or suitable alternative and blood test).
- Those under CUAET may apply to extend their temporary resident status for up to 3 years and can leave and return to Canada at any time while their visa is valid
may renew their work or study permit free of charge - Those with CUAET may apply for a new work or study permit free of charge and are eligible to attend elementary and secondary school.
How to apply:
Applicants overseas need to apply online for a Canadian visitor visa and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and a photo).
As per the news release, 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. Canada is also working to set up additional biometrics collection locations and increase capacity at existing ones.
Canada is encouraging those applying to also apply for a 3-year open work permit at the same time as their visa application.
The application is open online here.
Detailed information is available here.
Canada has also created a webpage with jobs for Ukrainians here.
IRCC 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.
