Today IRCC announced the launch of the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET). The CUAET is a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians

With the CUAET, Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality can stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to 3 years. Applicants who are overseas need to apply online for a Canadian visitor visa and provide their biometrics (fingerprints and photo). Applicants can apply for a 3-year open work permit at the same time as their visa application. Under this special program, many of the regular requirements associated with a normal visitor visa or work permit are waived. Elementary and high school students can register and begin school immediately upon arrival in Canada, and anyone looking to study at the post-secondary level can apply for a study permit once arrive in Canada.

Applicants without a valid passport can still apply and IRCC will issue one-way travel documents on a case-by-case basis where appropriate.

Ukrainian workers, students and visitors and their family members who are already in Canada also benefit from these measures. They can apply for a three-year extension of their visitor status or work permit, apply for a new work or study permit, or extend their existing permit. IRCC will waive all application fees.

To reduce the burden on applicants, IRCC will waive all application fees for these programs.

The Government of Canada is also calling on employers who wish to support Ukrainians to register these offers of employment on the Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage. The Job Bank will then work with local organizations and employers to help them connect with Ukrainians seeking work in their communities.

Ukrainians and their family members are exempt from Canada’s COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements. However, they must still meet all other public health travel requirements, such as quarantine and testing. With limited exceptions, all travelers to Canada, including anyone arriving under the CUAET, must also use ArriveCAN.

Source: IRCC News Releases