441-02216 (Citizenship and immigration)

Canada’s support for Ukraine has been steadfast since 2014, when Russia first began its occupation of Crimea. Between 2014 and 2022, Canada provided Ukraine over $50 million annually in humanitarian assistance, development, and peace and stabilization funding. Since January 2022, Canada has committed more than $13.3 billion in financial, development, military, peace and stabilization and immigration assistance to Ukraine.

Canada is using every tool at its disposal to pressure and counter Russia’s aggression, including through sanctions, with more than 2,900 individuals and entities in Russia, Belarus, Moldova and temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine sanctioned since 2014.

As Russia’s invasion of Ukraine persists, Canada continues to adapt its response to help those fleeing violence. Since its launch in March 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) has provided temporary safe haven to over 248,000 Ukrainians through a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway. While the program was initially designed to run for one year, overseas application intake was extended until July 15, 2023, in response to Russia’s continued aggression. Settlement services are currently available to all Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members, not just to CUAET visa holders until March 31, 2025.

On October 23, 2023, the Government launched a special family reunification pathway to permanent residence for Ukrainian family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents. This builds on Canada’s commitment to help keep families together and allow Ukrainian nationals to build their lives in Canada with the support of their family.

This pathway focuses on the spouses, common-law partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents or siblings of Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada. The spouse or common-law partner of a child, grandchild, parent, grandparent or sibling who is unable to leave Ukraine or is missing, presumed dead, or deceased is also eligible as long as they have not become the spouse or common-law partner of another person since leaving Ukraine. Individuals admitted through this program are in addition to those who will arrive through the allotted family reunification spaces in the current multi­year levels plan.

In terms of those who fall outside the eligibility criteria for the new pathway, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has a number of existing economic pathways that support transitions from temporary to permanent residence. The extended visit, work and study status offered by CUAET, as well as access to settlement services, will help those seeking to transition through these programs. Available programs include the Canadian Experience Class, which is managed by the Express Entry system, as well as regional programs developed to support provincial and regional labour market needs, including the Provincial Nominee Program, the Atlantic Immigration Program, and the Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot.

In addition, the Government of Canada has a generous family reunification program. This program allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to sponsor, as permanent residents, spouses, common-law partners, conjugal partners, parents, grandparents, dependent children (including adopted children), and other relatives in specific circumstances (for example, orphaned relatives under the age of 18 or a relative of any relation to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident provided the sponsor has no relatives who can be sponsored).

Alternatively, applications for permanent residence can also be made under humanitarian and compassionate considerations, which are evaluated on a case-by-case basis.

When responding to international crises, Canada tailors each response to meet the unique needs of those who require our support. Although every situation is different, IRCC is always guided by the same values and principles. We evaluate how Canada can best help by looking at whether temporary or permanent solutions are required.

The Government of Canada continues to monitor the situation and to adapt our response to meet the needs of those fleeing Russia’s illegal invasion. IRCC continues to assess how its immigration programs can best support Ukrainian nationals, now and in the future.