Ukrainians can qualify for PR status in Canada with a new pathway of Family Reunification from October 23 this year. This pathway will help the Ukrainian Temporary Residents already residing in Canada. Further, they will be now able to apply for permanent resident status, provided they fulfill all relevant eligibility requirements.
The candidates applying for this new pathway must possess at least one family member in Canada with Canadian citizenship and permanent residency. They must relate to the candidate as a spouse, sibling, parent, grandparent, common-law partner, children, or grandchildren.
Eligibility of Ukrainians to qualify for PR status in Canada with the new pathway
The pathway is classified into two eligibility categories with some eligibility conditions appropriate for both. The Canadian government states that the candidates must comply with the following conditions:
- They must be present in Canada while they apply for the pathway.
- Must demonstrate authentic temporary resident status in the country, or they must have applied to restore their status in the case of expiry below 90 days.
- Show that they possess a travel document or passport or even offer supporting documents if you have none.
- They must prove that they’re admissible to Canada.
In both categories, the Ukrainian migrant or their spouse or partner must prove they have a true relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. These people could be the following:
- Child, irrespective of their age;
- Spouse or Common-law partner;
- Sibling;
- Parent or Grandparent;
- Grandchild
Category 1
The candidates under Category 1 must be Ukrainian nationals and must offer a statutory declaration form called IMM 0191 (signed version) through their family members in Canada. They must provide the details of their relationship with the Ukrainian national.
Category 2
The second category is for candidates who are related to Ukrainian nationals as a spouse or common-law partner. Also, the Ukrainian national is someone who has a family already living in Canada. There are certain conditions attached to the spouse or common-law partner; they’re as follows:
- The spouse or partner must not be capable of leaving Canada.
- They could be missing;
- They could have passed away; or
- There must have been a presumption regarding their death.
Furthermore, the qualifying Ukrainian must not be remarried to anyone or even be in a relationship after leaving Ukraine. They must also submit the form IMM 0191.
IRCC stated that the new pathway would not in any way affect the available spots under the Parents and Grandparents Program. If the pathway accepts the Ukrainians, it will be along with the family members arriving in Canada under PGP.
Those interested in benefiting from this new pathway must apply for it by October 22, 2024. In addition, the family member holding Canadian citizenship or permanent residency will not have to sign a financial undertaking. Most Family-Sponsorship programs require a financial undertaking.
CUAET
In March 2022, Canada introduced the Canada Ukraine Authorization For Emergency Travel. This was an initiative with respect to the Russian invasion. Ukrainians who had to flee due to the upheaval in the country had the chance to apply for a temporary work permit or visitor visa without any fee. This was applicable between March 2022 and July 2023.
IRCC’s data depicts that from September 23 this year, it received 1,189,372 applications through the CUAET. Out of these, 909,464 applications got approval. Moreover, 185,753 Ukrainians came to Canada.
The program even helped Ukrainians to stay exempted from the fees applicable to temporary residents. These include:
- Extensions related to the Temporary Resident status;
- Restoring the status;
- Extensions and study permits;
- Work permits and extensions;
- Open Work Permits;
- Biometrics;
- Temporary Resident Permits
Furthermore, the Canadian government also offered a supporting fee of $3,000 for a one-time settlement. However, from July 15 onwards, IRCC hasn’t accepted CUAET applications. However, it continues to process applications that came before or on the given date.
In addition, those who received approval but haven’t arrived in Canada until March 31, 2024, will come here through these special initiatives.
After March 31, 2024, those Ukrainian nationals who don’t arrive in Canada will have to undergo regular processing and temporary resident visa fees. Also, they must wait until they come to Canada to apply for a Canadian work or study permit.
Do you have any queries on Canadian immigration pathways? Get in touch with our immigration representatives at MakeHomeCanada by writing to us at [email protected].
