OTTAWA — Federal officials have launched a new pathway that they say will reunite refugees who escaped the ongoing war in Ukraine with their families.
The federal government announced Saturday that the new pathway, under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET), will provide permanent residence to those who fled the Russian invasion and want to stay in Canada.
“As we continue to witness the devastating impact of Putin’s illegal invasion, we stand resolute in our condemnation of this senseless violence,” said Immigration Minister Sean Fraser.
“We continue to extend unwavering support and a lifeline to families separated by this conflict, including through this family reunification pathway that will help Ukrainian families stay together as they rebuild their lives in their new communities in Canada.”
Officials say the program officially begins on Oct. 23. To qualify, Ukrainians must be in Canada with temporary resident status and have one or more family members in Canada.
Those eligible include Ukrainian spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings and children or grandchildren of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident.
Once in Canada, temporary residents can apply for study permits and open work permits that allow them to stay for up to three years. During that time, officials say they will have access to settlement services, such as language training and employment services.
More information will be made available closer to the program’s launch in October.