The Family Reunification Program for Ukrainians in Canada, created to support Ukrainian citizens who have lost the opportunity to be close to their families due to the war, has officially ended. Learn more about how the Canadian government continues to support Ukrainians in the country and other refugee programs

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On October 22, 2024, Canada terminated a temporary government program for Ukrainian citizens that allowed them to quickly obtain permanent residence in the country if they had relatives in Canada. This program was created to support Ukrainian families separated by the war with russia, but no new applications will be accepted.

However, applications submitted before the program's closing date are still being processed, and eligible candidates can use various temporary permits while waiting for a final decision.

Details of the program

The Family Reunification Program was part of a temporary government policy aimed at supporting Ukrainian citizens and their families affected by the conflict. Under this program, relatives of Canadian citizens and permanent residents could obtain permanent resident status even if they were outside of Canada. This policy provided an opportunity to reside in Canada on a permanent basis, not just in the form of temporary permits.

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

Current rules and opportunities

After the program is closed, Ukrainian citizens can take advantage of other opportunities for staying and immigrating to Canada, available under general rules:

1. Temporary permits: Ukrainians already in Canada can apply for an open work permit or a study permit. They can also apply for an extension of their temporary status if their permanent residence application is still being processed.

2. Regular immigration programs: Canada continues to accept applications for permanent residence through the main immigration programs, such as:

Express Entry: a skilled worker program based on a points-based system. Candidates are evaluated on the basis of education, work experience, language skills and other factors.

Family sponsorship: for Ukrainians who have immediate family members in Canada, there is still a possibility of sponsorship, but this process takes longer than during the temporary program.

Provincial Immigration Programs (PNP): Some provinces of Canada offer programs for immigrants who have relevant professional skills and wish to reside in a particular province.

Other refugee programs: There is still an option for those in difficult situations to apply for refugee status.

What if your application has already been submitted?

Applicants who submitted their applications before the program closed on October 22 can expect to have their applications processed. Canada continues to process applications submitted under this temporary public policy, although no new applications are being accepted. During this period, applicants may apply for temporary permits to extend their stay or begin working and studying in Canada.

Alternative support measures for Ukrainians

Canada also offers a number of temporary programs for Ukrainian citizens that allow them to extend their stay in the country or obtain work and study permits. These support opportunities remain available for those already in Canada. The government also informs about available options through its official website, where you can find more information about programs and temporary residence permits.

The closure of the family reunification program may complicate the process of moving to Canada for those Ukrainians who were counting on this option. However, for many, it is still possible to apply to general immigration programs that may be suitable for them in terms of conditions and requirements.

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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