Canada to Welcome Ukrainians Fleeing the War

On March 3, 2022, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada issued a news release which asserts that it continues to stand firm in its support for Ukraine's territorial integrity and sovereignty. Ukrainian immigrants have contributed to the development of Canada throughout its history. As such, the Government of Canada is planning to release special programs for Canada to welcome Ukrainians.

Canada will release a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, which will be available to Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily. The number of Ukrainians who can apply will be unlimited. This is the quickest, safest, and most efficient option for Ukrainians to enter Canada, since it bypasses several of the traditional visa formalities. All Ukrainian nationals will be allowed to apply through this new route, and their stay in Canada might be extended by at least two years subject a background check and security screening. In the meantime, Canada urges Ukrainians to apply through all programs as their applications will be prioritized.

All Ukrainians who come to Canada as a result of these measures will be eligible for open work permits, making it simpler for companies to hire Ukrainian citizens as soon as possible. This will also authorize Ukrainian nationals already in Canada to apply for an open work permit.

In the following days and weeks, further information on these new temporary and permanent resident options, including processing timelines, will be accessible. IRCC has been working closely with other government departments, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, and others in the Ukrainian-Canadian community to ensure that these measures address the needs of Ukrainians and their communities. IRCC will continue to work with provinces and territories, as well as other partners, to see how they can help.

According to the news release, "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."

For more information about this news release, please visit the IRCC newsroom.

If you have any questions about immigrating to Canada, feel free to book a consultation by clicking the image below or visit the IRCC website.