This week, the Government of Canada launched the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). This program is a special, accelerated temporary residence pathway for Ukrainians and their family members who want to come to Canada due to the ongoing invasion and return home when it is safe to do so. Through CUAET:
- Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality may apply for a visitor visa to stay in Canada for up to 3 years. They may also apply for a 3 year open work permit at the same time.
- Upon landing in Canada, elementary and high school students may register to attend school and post-secondary students may apply for a study permit.
- Ukrainian workers, students, and visitors already in Canada may apply to extend their visitor status or permit for up to 3 years.
Our government has directed IRCC to waive most application and processing fees for this program. For standard cases, CUAET will facilitate processing of electronic visa applications within 14 days. Applicants without a valid passport may still apply and IRCC may issue a single journey travel document on a case-by-case basis, where appropriate.
For more information on applying for the visitor visa, please visit here. Applicants may contact the dedicated service line through IRCC at 613-321-4243, or add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Web form with their enquiry and their email will be prioritized.
We have also launched a dedicated portal through the Government of Canada Job Bank for employers wishing to provide work opportunities for Ukrainians, Ukrainians seeking employment during their stay in Canada, as well as community groups working to help newly landed Ukrainians.
How to apply for CUAET:
- Sign up to receive an invitation code at ircc.canada.ca
- Use the invitation code to create your IRCC portal account
- Complete the online form
- Select "Apply for a visitor visa, transit visa, or a study permit"
- Check the box at the bottom "I'm ready to start my application." (Note: You will not need to check eligibility and you will not be asked to pay any fees)
- When asked what you are applying for, select "Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel"* and continue answering the questions to complete your application
*This is not a refugee stream. Refugee applications will continue to be processed separately and this new pathway will not impact existing IRCC applications or programs.