Ukrainians in Canada Eligible for Permanent Resident status
Following Russia’s invasion of the Ukraine in February 2022, the Canadian
government opened its doors to an influx of Ukrainian immigrants. The Canada-
Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) allowed Ukrainians
and their families to settle in Canada for up to three years.
Shortly after CUAET stopped accepting applications in July 2023, Immigration,
Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) reported that over 185,000
Ukrainians arrived in Canada.
Recognizing the lack of permanent resettlement options available to Ukrainian
immigrants elsewhere, the Canadian government launched a new immigration
pathway this past October. Provided they meet certain eligibility criteria,
Ukrainian temporary residents living in Canada can now apply for
permanent residency.
To be eligible, candidates must have one or more Canadian citizen or
permanent resident family members in Canada. The family member(s) could
be a spouse, common-law partner, parent, grandparent, sibling, children or
grandchildren. The family member(s) must currently live in Canada, be at
least 18 years of age and not have been granted permanent residence
themselves under this policy.
Eligibility
The pathway is split into two eligibility categories
Category 1 candidates must be Ukrainian nationals. They must provide a
signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from their family member in
Canada that details the relationship between them.
Category 2 is for candidates who are the spouse or common-law partner of a
Ukrainian national who has family in Canada. The candidate’s spouse or
partner must be unable to leave Ukraine, missing, deceased, or be presumed to
have passed away.
Candidates applying through this category 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.
The following criteria are also applicable to candidates in both groups. They
must:
Be in Canada when they apply
Have valid temporary resident status in Canada, or have applied to
restore their status if it has been expired for less than 90 days
Hold a passport or travel document, or supporting identity documents
Be admissible to Canada
Families who wish to pursue this pathway to permanent residency have until
October 22, 2024 to submit an application.