Canada in 2024 remains one of the most popular countries for emigration among Ukrainians. Thanks to its high standard of living and stable economy, the country offers many opportunities for those who want to start a new life abroad. Find out what you need to emigrate to Canada, what is the visa process, relocation opportunities, and how to legalize your stay in the country after arrival

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Emigration to Canada is not only a desire, but also a responsible process that requires clear planning, understanding of the requirements and preparation of the necessary documents. We will tell you how to move to Canada in 2024.

Visa to Canada: main types and requirements in 2024

A Canadian visa for Ukrainians in 2024 is a dream of many, but not everyone gets it, because not everyone fulfills the requirements for obtaining a particular type of visa.

We wrote indetail about the rules of entry and residence in Canada in 2024 in our previous article

Tourist visa to Canada

For a short-term stay in Canada, for example, to explore the country or visit relatives, Ukrainians need to obtain a tourist visa (Visitor Visa). In 2024, this process remained standard and requires submission of the following documents to the consulate:

✔️ Completed visa application form (IMM 5257).

✔️ Proof of financial solvency (bank statements).

✔️ Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (hotel reservation, invitation from relatives or friends).

✔️ Valid foreign passport.

✔️ A photo that meets the requirements.

✔️ Plane tickets or other documents confirming the travel plans.

Student visa

Canada also remains a popular destination for Ukrainian students. To study in Canadian higher education institutions, you need to obtain a student visa (Study Permit). This procedure includes:

1) Letter of acceptance to a Canadian educational institution (Letter of Acceptance).

2) Proof of financial means to cover tuition and living expenses.

3) Certificate of language proficiency (e.g. IELTS or TOEFL).

4) Additional documents that may be required depending on the program or province.

5) Employment visa

6) If the purpose of moving is to work in Canada, you must obtain a Work Permit. This can be a temporary permit or as part of a permanent migration program. The main requirements:

Work visa to Canada

To obtain a work visa to Canada, you first need an official job offer from a Canadian employer. This, in turn, is a confirmation of compliance with the qualification requirements.

We wrote about the support programs for Ukrainian refugees in Canada in another article

How to move to Canada: stages of preparation

The first stage: research and selection of the type of visa

The rules for entering Canada for Ukrainians in 2024 are a separate responsible process, which, if possible, is better to go through with a qualified visa lawyer. Canada is a “highly legal” country and requires all visitors to comply with its regulations. So, before starting the migration process, it is important to clearly define the purpose of the trip. It can be:

✔️ Work.

✔️ Study.

✔️ Business.

✔️ Moving with family for permanent residence.

For each of these categories, you need to choose the appropriate type of visa described above and prepare the necessary documents, clarifying the details directly with the Canadian Consulate.

Second stage: preparation and submission of documents

After determining the purpose, you need to collect documents in accordance with the requirements of the chosen type of visa.

The documents can be submitted online through the Canadian Immigration Service portal or at the Canada Visa Application Center (VAC) in Ukraine.

Third stage: passing biometric data

Entry to Canada is possible only with a biometric passport. For most types of visa applications, including work, student, and tourist visas, biometric data is required. These are fingerprints and a photograph used to identify the applicant.

Fourth stage: waiting for the decision and obtaining the visa

The application process can take from several weeks to several months depending on the type of visa and the workload of the visa center. After receiving a positive decision, you can get a visa in your passport and start planning your trip.

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How to move to Canada with your family in 2024

Moving to Canada with your family is possible under various programs. For example, if you have a work or student visa, your relatives can also apply for a temporary resident visa or work permit (if allowed by the program).

Key points for moving to Canada with your family:

✔️ Each family member must submit a separate visa application.

✔️ Children can get a study permit if one parent has a work or student visa.

✔️ A married couple may be able to get a work permit or temporary resident visa depending on your visa.

✔️ You need to take care of insurance to enter Canada

Legalization of stay in Canada: obtaining a residence permit

Temporary resident visa to Canada

A Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) allows you to stay in Canada for a limited period of time. Once you arrive in Canada on a temporary visa (tourist, work or student), your stay is regulated by the validity of your visa.

Permanent residence in Canada (Permanent Residency)

For those who plan to stay in Canada permanently, it is necessary to apply for permanent resident status. The main programs for this are:

Express Entry - a program for skilled professionals

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) - a program for those who have skills required in a particular province.

Family Sponsorship is a family reunification program where Canadian citizens can sponsor their relatives.

Obtaining a work permit in Canada

Standard work permit

To obtain a Work Permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer. The employer may require you to undergo a special labor market assessment (LMIA) to prove that there are no local candidates available for the position.

Open work permit

Certain categories of employees can obtain an open work permit, which allows them to change employers without the need to obtain a new permit. This document is granted, for example, to spouses of students or employees already working in Canada. And in this matter, Canada applies the same rules for Ukrainians in 2024 .

Comprehensive and up-to-date information on working in Canada for Ukrainians was provided in our previous article

Who is not eligible for a work permit in Canada?

A work permit in Canada cannot be obtained by those who have only a tourist visa. Such persons are not allowed to work in Canada.

Please note! Refugees who are still awaiting a decision on their status may also not be allowed to work if they have not received the appropriate permit.

As you can see, emigration to Canada for Ukrainians in 2024 involves a clear algorithm of actions, from choosing the type of visa and submitting documents to legalizing your stay and obtaining a work permit. Each stage requires careful analysis and preparation, which is not always within the competence of ordinary citizens. In such cases, it makes perfect sense to contact Visit Ukraine's migration lawyers, who will not only help you with documents when traveling abroad, but will also take care of the entire process of submitting them to various agencies and obtaining appropriate decisions. Contact our specialists to make your departure to Canada a clear and quick process.  

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