Are you a Ukrainian national dreaming of a new beginning in Canada? The Canadian government has recently introduced a new pathway for Ukrainians to obtain permanent residence status. It means that if you are from Ukraine and have been dreaming of starting a new chapter in the Great White North, now is your chance! In this blog post, we will reveal the details of the permanent residence pathway for Ukrainians, its requirements, benefits, and how you can apply. So, let’s explore this new opportunity together!

Permanent Residence Pathway for Ukrainians

This new pathway aims to keep Ukrainian families together and provide support for Ukrainian nationals to establish their lives in Canada with the assistance of their families. The application period is now open, and eligible individuals have until October 22, 2024, to submit their applications.

Eligibility criteria 

Ukrainian nationals must be present in Canada with temporary resident status and have a family member who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.

Two categories of family members are eligible to apply for permanent residence under this pathway:

Category 1: Ukrainian nationals should have family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents in Canada, including spouses or common-law partners, children (regardless of age), grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings (or half-siblings).

Category 2: Spouses or common-law partners of Ukrainian nationals with family in Canada, including children (regardless of age), grandchildren, parents, grandparents, or siblings (or half-siblings). Your spouse or partner must be unable to leave Ukraine, be missing, have passed away, or have presumed to have passed away. Also, you have not remarried or been in a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine. 

To be eligible for both categories, you must be in Canada when submitting your application and granted permanent residence. Besides, you must have valid temporary resident status in Canada. Hold a passport or travel document or provide supporting identity documents if you don’t hold one. You also should provide a signed statutory declaration form from your family member in Canada explaining your relationship to them.

The Canadian citizen or permanent resident family member must live in Canada, be at least 18 years old, and not have been granted permanent residence under this policy.

Admissibility to Canada

Applicants and their family members must be admissible to Canada under immigration law. The public policy may still approve applications despite financial inadmissibility issues.

Application Process

The application process involves submitting required information, meeting eligibility criteria, undergoing medical exams, criminal and security checks, and biometrics if necessary.

Applicants intending to live in Quebec must obtain a Certificat de Sélection du Québec (CSQ) from the province before receiving permanent residence or a permanent resident visa.

How to Apply Permanent Residence Pathway?

Applicants can apply online and must ensure they meet all eligibility criteria, answer all questions, and include the required documents.

Biometrics and Fees

Biometric information, including fingerprints and photos, may be required, and applicants must pay processing fees, the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF), and biometrics fees as applicable.

Applications will be reviewed upon submission, and applicants will receive an acknowledgment of receipt. Further steps may involve additional document requests, medical exams, security checks, and RPRF payment. Quebec applicants will have their applications referred to the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration.

Approval and Permanent Resident Cards

If approved, IRCC will contact applicants to pay the RPRF, confirm application details, and validate their permanent residence status online. Permanent residents will receive an electronic confirmation of permanent residence (e-COPR) for proof of status while waiting for their PR card.

Canada’s initiative to open a permanent residence pathway for Ukrainian families demonstrates its commitment to assisting those affected by the conflict. This compassionate approach aims to reunite families and provide a stable environment for Ukrainian nationals to rebuild their lives in Canada.