Canada's Special Immigration Measures for Ukraine

Last updated: 23 October 2023
Canada Visa Move to Canada from Ukraine 1

Canada has put in place special measures to facilitate the application process for temporary and permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals and to prioritize the processing of applications and immigration documents for Ukrainians.

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Special Canadian Immigration Measures for Ukraine

The Canadian government is committed to supporting Ukrainians affected by the conflict with Russia.

As such, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is offering a host of special immigration measures to assist Ukrainians. These include:

Visit IRCC's Website to Learn More

Permanent Residence pathways for those in Canada with Canadian family ties

IRCC has implemented two new family sponsorship streams for Ukrainian nationals in Canada. The first—Category 1 stream—is for those who are a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada. The second—Category 2—is for those who are the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national who has family in Canada. 

Category 1—Those with a family member in Canada

Individuals can apply for Canadian permanent residence under this stream if:

  • they are a Ukrainian national;
  • they are a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their: spouse or common-law partner, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, and/or sibling (or half-sibling);
  • they are in Canada when they submit their application, and when they are granted permanent residence;
  • they have a valid temporary resident status in Canada, or have applied to restore their status if their status has expired for less than 90 days from the time of applying;
  • they hold a valid passport or travel document or provide supporting identity documents if they do not currently hold one;
  • they provide a signed statutory declaration (IMM 0191) from their family member in Canada, explaining the applicant's relationship with them; and
  • admissible to Canada.

In addition, under this stream the Canadian family member of the applicant in this case must:

  • be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen;
  • currently live in Canada;
  • be at least 18 years old; and
  • not have been granted permanent residence themselves under this policy.

Category 2—Those who are a spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national who has family in Canada

Individuals can apply for Canadian permanent residence under this stream if:

  • the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national;
  • their spouse or common-law partner is: unable to leave Ukraine, is missing, or is presumed to have passed away;
  • they are the family member f a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their: spouse or common-law partner, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, and/or sibling (or half-sibling);
  • they are in Canada when they submit their application, and when they are granted permanent residence;
  • they have not re-married or in a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine;
  • they have a valid temporary resident status in Canada, or have applied to restore their status if their status has expired for less than 90 days from the time of applying;
  • they hold a valid passport or travel document or provide supporting identity documents if they do not currently hold one;
  • they provide a signed statutory declaration (IMM 0191) from their spouse or partner's family member in Canada, explaining the applicant's relationship with them; and
  • they are admissible to Canada.

In addition, under this stream the Canadian family member of the applicant in this case must:

  • be a Canadian permanent resident or citizen
  • currently live in Canada;
  • be at least 18 years old; and
  • not have been granted permanent residence themselves under this policy.

Who cannot apply?

Individuals are not eligible for permanent residence under this measure if:

  • they are outside of Canada;
  • they are inadmissible to Canada (note under this measure financial inadmissibility requirements can be waived); and/or
  • your relationship is not listed above. 

Family members who can immigrate with you to Canada

Family members can be included in the permanent residence application under this stream, provided that they meet all medical, criminal and sevurity requirements to become Canadian permanent residents of Canada. 

Eligible family members are:

  • a spouse or common-law partner;
  • a dependant child who is: under 22 years old and doesn't have a spouse or partner, or older than 22 years old and has depended on the applicant (you) for financial support since before they were 22 and who can't support themselves financially due to a medical or physical condition; and/or
  • a grandchild (your dependant child or the dependant child of a spouse or partner). 

Family members can be in or outside of Canada, and are only required to be in Canada throughout the application process. Family members must be listed in the application, even if they are not currently immigrating with the applicant (you) at the time of applying. If family members are not included in the initial application, the applicant (you) will not be able to sponsor them later. 

Additional measures to support Ukrainians

Canada has taken additional and timely measures to support Ukrainians and residents of Ukraine, and to facilitate and expedite the return to Canada of Canadian citizens, permanent residents and their immediate family members. They are as follows: 

  • A dedicated hotline for immigration enquiries for Ukraine has been set up. The line is available to individuals in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243 (collect calls are accepted). In addition, anyone seeking information using the IRCC web form can now add the keyword "Ukraine2022" in order to have their inquiry prioritized;
  • Canada provides urgent processing of travel documents, including single-journey travel documents to immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have a valid passport;
  • The Canadian government is ensuring that Ukrainians are able to extend their stay or work longer in Canada by prioritizing the renewal of work and study permits and extending a policy that allows people to apply for a work permit from within Canada. Temporary residents who receive a job offer are allowed to remain in Canada and start working while they wait for their work permit application to be processed.
  • Canada is issuing open work permits to Ukrainian visitors, workers, and students who are currently in Canada and cannot go home; 
  • Fees for travel and immigration documents, such as Canadian passports, permanent resident travel documents, proof of citizenship, visitor visas and work and study permits, are currently waived.
  • Ukrainian nationals wishing to immigrate to Canada permanently can apply for permanent residence under a variety of different immigration programs and streams.
  • Settlement program services are available to temporary residents in Canada who are eligible for the CUAET. Available services include: 
    • Language training;
    • Information and orientation to life in Canada, such as assistance with registering children in school;
    • Information and services on labour market access, including mentoring, networking, counselling, skills development and training;
    • Activities that promote links with communities;
    • Assessment of other needs of Ukrainians and referral to appropriate agencies;
    • Services to meet the needs of women, older people, youth and LGBTQ2+ people;
    • Arrival services at Toronto, Edmonton and Vancouver international airports, including translation and information on government and community services.
    • More information about newcomer services can be found on the Government of Canada page. 

Province and territory-specific measures

Alberta

Alberta has put in place temporary measures to assist Ukrainian nationals applying under the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).

AAIP gives priority processing to applications and post-decision services. The province is waiving application and post-decision service fees for new and existing applications from Ukrainian nationals. In some cases, candidates who are missing documents required for their application to the IPAA due to the conflict in Ukraine may be able to submit an incomplete application.

British Columbia

The province of British Columbia has launched a Welcoming Ukraine portal to provide information to Ukrainians moving to the province: https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/ukraine/welcome
The portal is available in Ukrainian and Russian and is available in addition to a Service BC hotline available at 1-800-663-7867.

Manitoba

Manitoba's government is responding to the situation in Ukraine by conducting regular Expression of Interest (EOI) draws for individuals who meet all the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program eligibility criteria and are affected by ongoing events in Ukraine.

New Brunswick

New Brunswick has a webpage that directs Ukrainian newcomers to support services throughout the province and is available in both English and Ukrainian.

Newfoundland and Labrador

The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador launched the Ukrainian Family Support Desk to help residents of the province bring loved ones to the province. In addition, Newfoundland and Labrador has also announced that it is expanding this initiative to include in-person assistance on the ground by opening an office in Poland. Staff at the office in Poland will work with the Canadian Embassy to help Ukrainian refugees navigate the process of moving to the province, whether they are seeking temporary refuge or permanent resettlement in the province. According to the province, the office will provide information sessions on immigration programs and support services available in the province, and help connect Ukrainians with employers in Newfoundland and Labrador.

The Ukrainian Family Support Desk can be reached at UkrainianFamily@gov.nl.ca.

Ukrainians who intend to travel to Newfoundland and Labrador or who have recently arrived in the province can contact the provincial government using the online service registration form or by visiting this website.

Nova Scotia

The province is working with the YMCA to provide information to Ukrainians who want to connect with employers and the community in the province. The government is also streamlining the immigration process for Ukrainians, easing immigration requirements under the Skilled Worker and Occupations in Demand streams of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program, and providing Ukrainians with access to all provincially funded settlement programs.

Ontario

Ontario's government has a webpage that refers Ukrainian nationals to settlement resources and relevant information related to immigration. The page is available as a PDF in Ukrainian.

Ontario also has a suite of support measures for Ukrainian newcomers such as:

  • Access to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage which includes health care support and services they may need, including mental health services.
  • Access to drug benefits for Ukrainians through OHIP eligibility or receiving emergency income assistance.
  • Access to emergency housing through settlement service agencies and Ukrainian community organizations, including host homes and other temporary settings that Ukrainians may need until long-term arrangements are made.
  • Ensuring Ukrainian elementary and secondary school students can attend publicly funded schools for free.

Prince Edward Island

Prince Edward Island also has a webpage that directs Ukrainians to support services in the province, and encourages Ukrainian newcomers to register with PEI's immigrant and refugee services for more specialised assistance.

Quebec

Quebec, Canada's francophone province, operates its own immigration programs. The province announced the following measures for Ukraine:

  • Quebec will allow Ukrainian nationals residing in the province to sponsor their extended family for permanent immigration.
  • The province will also speed up the processing of applications for temporary foreign workers and international students from Ukraine.
  • The open work permit that Canada has announced for Ukrainian nationals will also be valid in Quebec and holders will be able to benefit from Quebec government services such as childcare, schools, and access to health care.
  • Quebec will also accelerate the processing of Quebec Acceptance Certificate (CAQ) applications and Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) applications from employers of Ukrainian nationals who are already in the province.
  • Ukrainian nationals will be able to receive support from 95 settlement and integration services, which include housing, registration of children into school, French courses, job integration and other services.

Saskatchewan

Saskatchewan is holding special draws through its Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program inviting Ukrainian citizens to apply for provincial nomination to help support their Canadian immigration applications.

Yukon

The Yukon has established a Ukrainian Family Support Office to assist those seeking to settle in the Yukon and Canada. The support office will help Yukoners and Ukrainians in finding immigration pathways and will also provide resources to Ukrainians seeking residency in the Yukon and Canada.

Visit IRCC's Website to Learn More