Canada’s new immigration program aimed at quickly welcoming Ukrainians who have fled the war will finally allow people whose applications are accepted to stay in the country for up to three years.
When the government announced its intention to put in place this program, the Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Authorization (AVUCU), the maximum period of the measure was instead set at two years.
The Ministry of Immigration confirmed this ultimately longer duration on Thursday by announcing the official opening of AVUCU. Requests for obtaining this temporary residence can be made by “Ukrainians and members of their immediate family of any nationality”, it was specified in a press release.
The department has also indicated that it is waiving fees that would normally have been associated with these requests.
Applicants without a valid passport also have the option of applying and having the Department of Immigration issue them “a one-way travel document on a case-by-case basis, if applicable. “.
“Canada will provide a safe haven for your families as you fight on the front lines in a war to defend your freedom for the benefit of the whole world,” Immigration Minister Sean Fraser said in the same statement.
Open work permit
Ottawa also invites applicants to submit an open work permit application at the same time as their visa application.
“Under this special program, applicants are exempted from many of the normal requirements associated with a visitor visa or work permit,” the ministry also said Thursday.
Voices have been raised for weeks to demand a complete lifting of visa requirements for Ukrainians, but Canada has so far not acceded to this request.
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