The Immigration Minister of Canada, Sean Fraser, announced to introduce the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) on March 17. The CUAET is a fast-track pathway to temporary residence for Ukrainians fleeing war.
Under CUAET, Ukrainians and their immediate family members (irrespective of their nationality) can reside in the country for a duration of three years. Overseas candidates are required to make an online application for a visitor visa and submit their biometrics.
CUAET applicants are being encouraged by the Canadian government to apply for a three-year open work permit at the same time they apply for their visa, which will enable them to seek employment from an employer in Canada.
Under this program, Canada has eliminated many of the standard requirements associated with the application of visitor visas and work permits. Students in elementary and high school can resume attending school once they arrive in Canada. Also, anyone who is willing to pursue post-secondary education in Canada can apply for a study visa once they land in the country.
Furthermore, candidates without a valid passport may also apply under this special program. The federal department of IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada) will issue a single journey travel document to the applicants varying from case to case, as appropriate.
The new initiatives introduced by the Canadian government under the special program also include benefits for Ukrainian visitors, workers, students, and their family members, who are currently residing in Canada. Ukrainians who are currently residing in Canada can submit an application for a three-year extension of their work permit or visitor visa, a new work or study permit, or an extension of their current permit. Moreover, the fees for application of study or work permits as well as extensions will be waived by the federal immigration department.
Employers in Canada who are willing to help Ukrainians find work can post their employment offers on the Jobs for Ukraine webpage of the Job Bank website. The Job Bank will then collaborate with local organizations and employers to assist them in reaching out to Ukrainians looking for job opportunities in their areas.
Also, the Canadian government is now discussing with provinces and territories, the Ukrainian-Canadian community, the business community, and settlement organizations about how to effectively assist the candidates who have arrived from Ukraine. IRCC will constantly work towards monitoring the number of travelers and their needs and will take appropriate action as needed.
Those arriving under the CUAET are exempt from the COVID-19 vaccination requirement for entry into Canada, but they are still required to comply with all the public health standards for travel, including quarantine and testing. The candidates arriving in Canada under this program are also required to upload their travel documentation to ArriveCAN before arrival.
In early March, the CUAET was first introduced by the Canadian government to simplify and expedite the Canadian immigration process by enabling Ukrainian nationals to apply online.
In addition to the CUAET, we are also awaiting the announcement of details of a special family reunification sponsorship pathway from the Canadian government in the following weeks. This new pathway will enable Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their family members (who are Ukrainian nationals) for permanently settling in Canada.
Canada has made a variety of immigration-related initiatives since the start of the Ukrainian crisis to help Ukrainians seeking refuge in the nation. Faster processing times, extensions of permits, and fee waivers for immigration paperwork and applications are some of the initiatives taken by the Canadian government. Furthermore, Canada has promised $117 million in funds to undertake all of the proposed special immigration measures targeted to enable the fast-track arrival of Ukrainians in Canada.
As Ukraine’s situation is getting direr, several organizations and political parties are now urging the Canadian government to arrange chartered flights to help Ukrainians arrive in Canada. The Prime Minister of Canada, Justin Trudeau, did not disregard the possibility. On Wednesday, at a press conference, Minister Trudeau said that if there is sufficient demand, Canada will take additional measures.
