Uniting Hearts: Fast-Tracking Ukrainian Family Reunification
Canada remains dedicated to assisting those fleeing the ongoing Russian invasion in Ukraine. Since March 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) has provided temporary refuge to over 185,000 Ukrainians. The intake of overseas applications under CUAET closed on July 15, 2023.
The Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is now introducing a new pathway for permanent residence to facilitate family reunification and enable Ukrainian nationals to establish their lives in Canada with the support of their families.
Applicant Categories
Category 1: Family Member of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident in Canada
Eligibility: Ukrainian nationality.
Relationship: Family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents (spouse, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, siblings).
Residence: Must be in Canada when applying and when granted permanent residence.
Status: Valid temporary resident status or applying to restore it if expired within 90 days.
Documents: Valid passport or alternative identity documents if unavailable.
Statutory Declaration: A signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from a family member in Canada explaining the relationship.
Admissibility: Must meet Canada’s admissibility requirements.
Category 2: Spouse or Common-law Partner of a Ukrainian National with Family in Canada
Eligibility: Spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national.
Partner’s Situation: Ukrainian partner must face specific circumstances (unable to leave Ukraine, missing, deceased, or presumed deceased) and be a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Residence: Must be in Canada when applying and when granted permanent residence.
Marital Status: Must not have remarried or entered into a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine.
Status: Valid temporary resident status or applying to restore it if expired within 90 days.
Documents: Valid passport or alternative identity documents if unavailable.
Statutory Declaration: A signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from a family member of their spouse or partner in Canada explaining the relationship.
Policy Expiry
This pathway is currently open, and individuals have until October 22, 2024, to submit their applications. To be eligible, Ukrainian nationals must be present in Canada with temporary resident status and have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.