The federal authorities has launched a brand new immigration program for Ukrainians fleeing their embattled nation, permitting these in Canada with household to obtain everlasting resident standing.
“We proceed to increase unwavering help and a lifeline to households separated by this battle, together with by this household reunification pathway that may assist Ukrainian households keep collectively as they rebuild their lives of their new communities in Canada,” stated Immigration Minister Sean Fraser in a press release launched Saturday.
Eligibility can be prolonged to Ukrainians dwelling in Canada with non permanent standing and with a number of relations in Canada.
The federal government stated extra particulars can be launched nearer to when this system launches on Oct. 23, 2023. This system may have no value hooked up to it and can be in place for one yr.
Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser makes an announcement in Ottawa on March 22, 2023. (Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)
The announcement Saturday comes on the day the federal government’s preliminary emergency immigration program was set to run out.
Below the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency journey (CUAET), launched in March 2022, Ukrainians had been in a position to come to Canada and reside and work for as much as three years. They benefited from a wide range of measures meant to hurry up the visa course of, together with prioritized processing and waived charges.
Roughly 166,000 Ukrainians have come to Canada by the particular visa program. That is about 21 per cent of the 800,000 emergency visas granted, from round 1.1 million functions, in line with the federal government.
‘We’re simply asking for plenty of flexibility’
In an interview Saturday, the pinnacle of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress stated the small print to return can be key to their response to this system. However generally, he stated his group is pushing for extra choices for Ukrainians coming to Canada.
“We’re simply asking for plenty of flexibility on the pathways for individuals as they make their manner by what’s a really unsure scenario,” stated Ihor Michalchyshyn, the UCC’s CEO.
“The battle has not ended, we’ve to maintain choices open for individuals.”
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One key unknown was what set of questions the federal government can be utilizing to find out eligibility and approvals all through the method, he famous.
Ukrainians authorized beneath the CUAET will nonetheless be capable to journey to Canada up till March 31 of subsequent yr. Afterward, they are going to be topic to the usual immigration measures obtainable to others around the globe.
“As soon as in Canada, non permanent residents can be eligible to use for an prolonged keep of as much as three years by examine permits and open work permits, all of which can be prioritized. They may even have entry to settlement companies, akin to language coaching and employment companies. These measures will assist them thrive in communities throughout the nation,” the federal government launch stated.
Canada has the biggest diaspora of Ukrainians exterior of Ukraine and Russia, with over 1.4 million individuals of Ukrainian descent dwelling right here, in line with authorities statistics.
Michalchyshyn stated whereas immigration packages and settlement companies are vital for individuals coming to this nation, the precedence push from his group continues to be help to Ukraine itself.
“The earlier that Ukraine wins the battle, the earlier peace and normality can resume and this huge refugee disaster will come to an finish.”