The Canadian Immigration Lawyer Association is expressing concerns about a potential backlog in work permit and permanent residency applications as the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program comes to an end. The program was launched in response to the ongoing war in Ukraine, with an estimated 200,000 to 250,000 Ukrainians in Canada under this program. Immigration lawyer Lev Abramovich highlighted the need for a plan to address the situation when these individuals’ work permits expire and they wish to stay in Canada. The deadline for CUAET visa holders to come to Canada is March 31, with discussions ongoing about the future of these individuals in the country.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has stated that individuals will not be sent back to Ukraine while the war is ongoing, and there are discussions about ensuring the safety and welcome of the estimated 300,000 people fleeing the war in Ukraine. A specialized family reunification pathway to permanent residency has been added to the program for CUAET visa holders who wish to stay in Canada. However, concerns have been raised for those who do not have family to qualify for this permanent residency track and are hesitant to return to a war-torn Ukraine even after the conflict ends due to the extensive damage and potential dangers.
Abramovich suggested the creation of a temporary program for Ukrainians to transition to permanent residency based on employment rather than relatives, in order to avoid potential backlogs. The current data from the immigration ministry shows that 960,000 emergency visas have been approved under CUAET, with around 210,000 applications refused and 3,600 applications still being processed. The ministry emphasized that not all successful applicants have arrived in Canada, making it challenging to determine how many CUAET visa holders will eventually come to the country. The ministry also assured that outstanding applications will continue to be processed normally even after the deadline.
As the deadline for the CUAET program approaches, concerns about the future status of Ukrainian individuals in Canada persist. With ongoing discussions about the fate of these individuals post-program expiration, the need for a plan to address potential backlogs in work permit and permanent residency applications has been emphasized by the Canadian Immigration Lawyer Association. As the war in Ukraine enters its third year, the challenges and uncertainties faced by Ukrainian individuals seeking to stay in Canada continue to be at the forefront of immigration discussions and decisions.
Abramovich highlighted the unique challenges faced by individuals who do not have family to qualify for the permanent residency track and may be hesitant to return to a war-torn country even after the conflict ends. He suggested the creation of a temporary program based on employment for Ukrainians to transition to permanent residency as a potential solution to avoid backlogs in the immigration system. The immigration ministry data shows a significant number of approved emergency visas under CUAET, with ongoing processing of applications and uncertainty about the exact number of individuals who will eventually come to Canada. Despite the upcoming deadline for the program, efforts to ensure the safety and welcoming of Ukrainian individuals in Canada continue to be a priority for policymakers and immigration authorities.
