Canada’s Dedicated Immigration Support Measures for Ukraine
Canada has introduced special initiatives to simplify the application process for Ukrainian citizens seeking temporary or permanent residency, while also giving priority to the processing of their immigration applications and related documents.
Table of Contents
Special Canadian Immigration Support Measures for Ukraine
The Canadian government continues to provide assistance to Ukrainians impacted by the conflict involving Russia.To support those affected, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a range of immigration measures for Ukrainian nationals, including
- new permanent residence pathways for those in Canada and with Canadian family ties (effective October 23, 2023)
- priority processing of Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel applications
- increased newcomer services for Ukrainians arriving in Canada
- waiving of fees
- support for flights to Canada
Permanent Residence Options for Individuals in Canada with Family Connections
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced two family-based permanent residence pathways for Ukrainian citizens currently living in Canada. The first option, known as Category 1, is intended for Ukrainian nationals who have relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. The second option, Category 2, applies to spouses or common-law partners of Ukrainian nationals who have family members living in Canada.
Category 1 – Applicants with Relatives in Canada
Ukrainian nationals may qualify for permanent residence through this pathway if they meet the following requirements:
- They are citizens of Ukraine.
- They have an eligible family relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, including a spouse or common-law partner, child of any age, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, or half-sibling.
- They are physically present in Canada when submitting their application and remain in Canada at the time permanent residence is approved.
- They currently hold valid temporary resident status, or they have applied to restore their status if it expired within the previous 90 days.
- They possess a valid passport, travel document, or acceptable proof of identity if such documents are unavailable.
- They submit a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from the Canadian family member confirming the relationship.
- They satisfy Canada’s admissibility requirements.
The family member in Canada must also meet these conditions:
- Be either a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Currently reside in Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Not have obtained permanent residence through this same program.
Category 2 – Spouses or Common-Law Partners of Ukrainian Nationals with Family in Canada
Applicants may qualify under this category if they satisfy the following criteria:
- They are the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national.
- Their spouse or partner is unable to leave Ukraine, is missing, or is believed to have died.
- They are connected to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident through their spouse or partner’s family relationship, such as a spouse or partner, child, grandchild, parent, grandparent, sibling, or half-sibling.
- They are in Canada at the time of submitting the application and when permanent residence is granted.
- They have not entered a new marriage or common-law relationship after leaving Ukraine.
- They hold valid temporary resident status, or have applied for status restoration if it expired less than 90 days before applying.
- They possess a valid passport, travel document, or other approved identity documents.
- They provide a signed IMM 0191 declaration from their spouse or partner’s family member in Canada confirming the relationship.
- They meet Canada’s admissibility requirements.
The Canadian relative involved in this category must:
- Hold Canadian citizenship or permanent resident status.
- Be living in Canada.
- Be at least 18 years old.
- Not have received permanent residence through this policy.
Individuals Who Are Not Eligible
Applicants cannot apply through these measures if:
- They are outside Canada.
- They are considered inadmissible to Canada, although financial inadmissibility may be exempt under this program.
- Their family relationship does not fall under the approved categories.
Family Members Eligible to Accompany the Applicant
Certain family members may be included in the permanent residence application if they meet all required medical, criminal, and security assessments.
Eligible accompanying family members include:
- A spouse or common-law partner.
- A dependent child who is under 22 years old and does not have a spouse or partner, or a child over 22 who has relied on the applicant for financial support since before age 22 and is unable to support themselves due to a physical or medical condition.
- A grandchild who is considered a dependent child of either the applicant or the applicant’s spouse or partner.
These family members may be located either inside or outside Canada. However, all eligible family members must be declared in the application, regardless of whether they plan to immigrate at the same time. Family members not included in the original application may not be eligible for sponsorship in the future.
Additional Support Measures for Ukrainians
Canada has introduced further urgent measures to assist Ukrainians and residents of Ukraine, as well as to speed up and simplify the return to Canada for Canadian citizens, permanent residents, and their immediate family members.
These measures include the following:
- A dedicated immigration support line for Ukraine-related inquiries has been established. It is accessible both within Canada and internationally at 613-321-4243 (collect calls are accepted). In addition, applicants submitting requests through the IRCC web form can include the keyword “Ukraine2022” to ensure their inquiry is prioritized.
- Priority processing is provided for urgent travel documents, including one-time travel papers for immediate family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who do not have a valid passport.
- Canada is supporting Ukrainians in extending their stay and employment in the country by prioritizing extensions and renewals of study and work permits. It also continues to allow eligible individuals to apply for work permits from within Canada. Temporary residents with valid job offers may remain in Canada and begin working while their work permit applications are being processed.
- Open work permits are being issued to Ukrainian visitors, students, and workers who are currently in Canada and are unable to return to Ukraine.
- Fees for various immigration and travel-related documents—including passports, permanent resident travel documents, citizenship proofs, visitor visas, and work or study permits—are currently waived.
- Ukrainian nationals who wish to become permanent residents may apply through several existing immigration programs and pathways.
- Settlement support services are available for eligible temporary residents under the CUAET program. These services include:
- Language training programs
- Orientation and guidance for settling in Canada, including school registration assistance for children
- Employment-related support such as job searching, networking, mentoring, counselling, and skills training
- Community connection initiatives
- Assessment of individual needs with referrals to appropriate support agencies
- Specialized services for women, youth, seniors, and LGBTQ2+ individuals
- Arrival assistance at major airports including Toronto, Edmonton, and Vancouver, offering translation and guidance on government and community services
More details on newcomer services are available on official Government of Canada resources.
Province and Territory–Specific Support Measures
Alberta
Alberta has introduced temporary initiatives to support Ukrainian nationals applying through the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).
The province is prioritizing application and post-decision processing for these applicants. It has also waived both application and post-decision service fees for new and existing applications submitted by Ukrainian nationals. In certain situations, applicants who are unable to provide all required documents due to the conflict in Ukraine may still be allowed to submit an incomplete application.
British Columbia
British Columbia has created a “Welcoming Ukraine” online portal to support Ukrainians relocating to the province:
https://www2.gov.bc.ca/gov/content/tourism-immigration/ukraine/welcome
The portal is available in both Ukrainian and Russian. In addition, assistance is available through the Service BC hotline at 1-800-663-7867.
Manitoba
Manitoba is responding to the situation by holding regular Expression of Interest (EOI) draws for individuals who meet eligibility requirements under the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program and are affected by the situation in Ukraine.
New Brunswick
New Brunswick provides an online resource page that connects Ukrainian newcomers with support services across the province. This information is available in both English and Ukrainian.
Newfoundland and Labrador
Newfoundland and Labrador has established a Ukrainian Family Support Desk to assist residents in bringing relatives to the province. The province has also expanded its efforts by opening an office in Poland to provide on-the-ground support.
Staff at this office work alongside the Canadian Embassy to help Ukrainians explore pathways to temporary refuge or permanent settlement in the province. They also offer information sessions on immigration programs, available support services, and employment opportunities in Newfoundland and Labrador.
The Support Desk can be contacted at: UkrainianFamily@gov.nl.ca.
Individuals planning to travel to the province or who have recently arrived can also register through an online form provided by the provincial government website.
Nova Scotia
Nova Scotia is collaborating with the YMCA to help Ukrainians connect with employers and local communities. The province is also simplifying immigration processes under programs such as the Skilled Worker stream and Occupations in Demand stream of the Nova Scotia Nominee Program. In addition, Ukrainians are granted access to all provincially funded settlement services.
Ontario
Ontario provides an information page directing Ukrainian nationals to settlement services and immigration-related resources, also available as a Ukrainian-language PDF.
The province has also introduced several support measures, including:
- Coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP), including access to healthcare and mental health services
- Access to prescription drug coverage through OHIP eligibility or emergency income assistance
- Emergency housing support through settlement agencies and Ukrainian community organizations, including temporary host arrangements
- Free access to publicly funded primary and secondary education for Ukrainian students
Prince Edward Island
Prince Edward Island maintains a dedicated webpage guiding Ukrainians to available provincial support services. New arrivals are encouraged to register with PEI’s immigrant and refugee support services for additional assistance.
Quebec
Quebec operates its own immigration system and has announced several measures in response to the situation in Ukraine:
- Ukrainian residents in Quebec may sponsor extended family members for permanent immigration
- Faster processing of temporary foreign worker and international student applications from Ukraine
- Recognition of Canada’s open work permits in Quebec, allowing access to provincial services such as healthcare, childcare, and education
- Accelerated processing of Quebec Acceptance Certificates (CAQ) and Labour Market Impact Assessments (LMIA) for employers hiring Ukrainian nationals already in the province
- Access to 95 settlement and integration services, including housing assistance, school registration, French language training, and employment support
Saskatchewan
Saskatchewan is conducting special nomination rounds through its Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program to invite Ukrainian citizens to apply for provincial nomination, supporting their permanent immigration applications.
Yukon
The Yukon has established a Ukrainian Family Support Office to assist individuals seeking to settle in the territory or elsewhere in Canada. This office helps both Ukrainians and local residents explore immigration pathways and provides guidance and resources for relocation and settlement in the Yukon.
