Ukrainians fleeing to Canada temporarily can stay for three years
Ukrainians looking to come to Canada temporarily to escape the Russian attacks will be able to stay for three years, the government has announced.
Through the program opening on Thursday, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser says that those who come will be able to stay longer than the previously announced two years.
The immigration minister鈥檚 office told 愛污传媒 that it will take an average of two weeks for people who apply through this temporary residence pathway to be approved through the online portal.
Earlier this month Fraser announced Canada would be opening two new immigration streams for Ukrainians looking to seek refuge in this country.
One will allow an unlimited number of Ukrainians to come to this country on a temporary basis with expedited emergency visas. It鈥檚 this program that is being expanded. The other is a family reunification pathway for those looking to stay permanently in Canada.
For those applying for this visitor visa to leave Ukraine while the war rages on, most visa requirements are being waived, including fees and language assessments. In order to qualify, individuals will need to complete a 鈥渟imple鈥 application form and provide biometrics鈥攆ingerprints and a photo鈥 for security while still in Europe.
The government has across the continent, including in regions where many Ukrainians have fled such as Moldova, Romania, Austria and Poland.
The temporary residency stream is being offered to Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality. Applicants who do not have a valid passport may still apply, as the government is offering single-journey travel documents on a case-by-case basis.
Ukrainians do not have to be fully vaccinated in order to come to Canada, though those who enter who are not will be subject to quarantine and testing, the government has announced, adding that 鈥渨ith limited exceptions鈥 all travellers entering through this emergency immigration stream will have to use the ArriveCAN system to submit relevant vaccination and personal information.
Everyone who arrives under this new stream will also be eligible for a work permit or study permit that will allow them to take a job with any Canadian employer or enroll in an education program. The government is encouraging Ukrainians to apply for a three-year open work permit at the same time as they submit their visa application.
The government is also so that Canadian employers can post available jobs and hire Ukrainians, something for which there has already been considerable interest.
鈥淎s brave Ukrainians fight for their lives and their freedom, Canada is ready to welcome their loved ones who are forced to flee. When they arrive safely in Canada, we鈥檙e going to help Ukrainians find work and so they can provide for themselves and their families,鈥 said Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Disability Inclusion Carla Qualtrough in a statement. 鈥淔rom ensuring that children can enroll in school to helping parents join our workforce, we want every Ukrainian to find peace, stability, and community in Canada.鈥
As millions have fled to neighbouring countries, prompting a refugee crisis, the government has been prioritizing processing immigration applications from Ukrainians.
Fraser has said there will be 鈥渘o limit鈥 to the number of applications Canada is willing to accept from those coming temporarily, noting that most will want to return home once it鈥檚 safe to do so.
"If we learned anything about Ukrainians who are fleeing this conflict, it's that they love their homeland and they want to go back when the war is over,鈥 the minister said on CTV鈥檚 Question Period on March 6.
The department said Thursday it will 鈥渃ontinue to monitor volumes of travellers and their needs closely and will take action as required.鈥
With files from 愛污传媒鈥 Mackenzie Gray
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