New Temporary Resident Program for Ukrainians and Family Members
IRCC has just announced the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) which is a new temporary resident program for Ukrainians who are fleeing the war. The details are as follows:
- Ukrainians and their family members can apply for a CUAET visitor visa allowing them to stay for 3 years (as opposed to the six month stay for regular visas).
- They also have the option of applying for a three year open work permit at the same time.
- Family members of those applying do not have to be Ukrainian citizens.
- There is no cap on the number of applications that will be processed.
- Biometrics are still required. However IRCC has launched mobile biometric centres across Europe.
- Applicants are exempt from doing overseas medicals, but may be required to do them once in Canada.
- Applicants are exempt from COVID-19 vaccination entry requirements.
- A valid Ukrainian passport is not required to apply. For those that do not have one a single journey travel document will be issued.
- Processing times for standard cases will be within 14 days.
- No processing fees will be charged
IRCC also announced that there will be a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence that will be announced in the coming weeks. Details on this will be provided once the program is announced.
