Permanent Residence (PR) in Canada for Ukrainians
As Canada welcomes Ukrainian immigrants, the Permanent Residency (PR) Family Reunification program serves as a beacon of hope for families separated by borders. This comprehensive guide will walk you through eligibility criteria, the application process, and expectations after applying.
CUAET Program for Ukrainians
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was created for Ukrainians affected by the Russian invasion, granting them the opportunity to apply to come to Canada until July 15th, 2023. The Government of Canada extended the window for overseas travel until March 31, 2024 for existing CUAET holders.
CUAET allows Ukrainians and their families to move to Canada on temporary resident visas, allowing them to work and study for three years.
New PR Pathway for Ukrainians with Family in Canada
As of October 23rd, 2023, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship, launched a new pathway to offer Permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada. This unique opportunity grants PR to Ukrainian citizens with temporary resident status in Canada and one or more family members with Canadian citizenship or permanent residence.
Category 1: Family Member of a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident in Canada
You can apply under this policy if you meet the following conditions:
- Be a Ukrainian national.
- Be a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, including a spouse, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling (or half-sibling).
- Be in Canada when you submit your application and when granted permanent residence.
- Have valid temporary resident status in Canada or have applied to restore your status if expired for less than 90 days.
- Hold a passport or travel document or provide supporting identity documents if you don’t hold one.
- Provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your family member in Canada explaining your relationship.
- Be admissible to Canada.
The Canadian citizen or permanent resident (your family member) must currently live in Canada, be at least 18 years old, and not have been granted permanent residence under this policy.
Category 2: Spouse or Common-law Partner of a Ukrainian National with Family in Canada
You can apply under this policy if you meet the following conditions:
- Be the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national.
- Your spouse or partner must be unable to leave Ukraine, missing, deceased, or presumed deceased.
- Your spouse or partner must be a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
- Be in Canada when you submit your application and when granted permanent residence.
- Not have remarried or be in a common-law relationship since leaving Ukraine.
- Have valid temporary resident status in Canada or have applied to restore your status if expired for less than 90 days.
- Hold a passport or travel document or provide supporting identity documents.
- Provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your spouse or partner’s family member in Canada.
- Be admissible to Canada.
The Canadian citizen or permanent resident (your spouse/common-law partner’s family member) must currently live in Canada, be at least 18 years old, and not have been granted permanent residence under this policy.
Who can't apply?
You’re not eligible to apply if you don’t meet the criteria of either category, including if you’re outside Canada, inadmissible (other than for financial reasons), or your relationship type is not listed above.
Who can be included in the application?
You can include eligible family members in your application to immigrate to Canada if they meet all medical, criminal, and security requirements to become permanent residents. Eligible family members include your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children, and grandchildren.
Statutory Declaration Attesting to the Relationship (IMM 0191)
As this Permanent Residence program is based on your family connections in Canada, the application requires a Statutory Declaration Attesting to the Relationship. This document must be completed, signed, and dated by a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, 18 years or older, residing in Canada and not granted permanent residence under this policy.
The form must be completed in the presence of a person authorized to receive a solemn declaration by law (lawyer, notary public, etc.). At Nava Wilson, we can assist you in getting your Statutory Declaration Attesting to the Relationship done with the application.