From October 23 onward, Canada has introduced a fresh avenue for family reunification tailored specifically for Ukrainian temporary residents.
Under this initiative, Ukrainian temporary residents residing in Canada can potentially seek permanent resident status, provided they fulfill the specified eligibility requirements.
To be eligible, applicants must have one or more family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada. This includes spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children, or grandchildren.
Eligibility:
The family reunification pathway is divided into two eligibility categories, and certain criteria apply to both categories. For instance, as stated by the Government of Canada, candidates must:
- Be present in Canada at the time of application.
- Maintain valid temporary resident status in Canada, or apply for status restoration if the status has lapsed for less than 90 days.
- Possess a valid passport or travel document, or provide supporting identity documents if lacking one.
- Meet the admissibility requirements for entry into Canada.
In both categories, the Ukrainian national (or their spouse or common-law partner) must establish a relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, which includes:
In both categories, the Ukrainian national (or their spouse or common-law partner) must establish a relationship with a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, which can include a spouse or common-law partner, child (regardless of age), grandchild, parent, grandparent, or sibling (or half-sibling).
Category 1
– Candidates are required to be Ukrainian nationals. Additionally, they must furnish a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from their family member in Canada, outlining the relationship between them.
Category 2
– Is designed for candidates who are the spouses or common-law partners of Ukrainian nationals with family ties in Canada. The Ukrainian partner must be unable to leave Ukraine due to various reasons such as being missing, deceased, or presumed deceased.
Eligible candidates under this category must not have remarried or entered into another common-law relationship since leaving Ukraine. They are also required to submit a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from their spouse or partner’s family member in Canada, detailing their relationship.
According to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), this new pathway does not affect the available spaces in the Parents and Grandparents Program (PGP). Ukrainians accepted through this pathway are additional to family members coming to Canada through the PGP.
Families interested in this opportunity have until October 22, 2024, to submit their applications. Unlike other family-class sponsorship programs, the Canadian citizen or permanent