(OTTAWA) Canada is expected to halt applications for temporary emergency visas for Ukrainians fleeing Russian aggression on Saturday. However, the government has not announced whether it plans to grant a long-term sanctuary.
Posted at 8:37
Laura Osman The Canadian Press
Canada introduced the emergency visa after Russia invaded Ukraine last year as millions fled the beleaguered country.
The visa is available to an unlimited number of Ukrainians and allows them to work and study in Canada for three years while they decide on their next steps. Those who came to Canada on the emergency visa are not granted refugee status in Canada and are instead considered temporary residents.
Immigration Secretary Sean Fraser extended the program in March as the war entered its second year. The extended application period ends on July 15.
More than 1.1 million people have applied and more than 800,000 visas have been approved as of July 1, although only about 21% of visa holders have actually come to Canada.
Ukrainians who have already received the visa can enter Canada until the end of March 2024.
The government has extended processing services normally reserved for refugees and other permanent residents to Ukrainians on emergency visas. These services will continue to be offered until the end of March 2025.
“We are waiting to hear what the government will decide about the new parameters for the arrival of Ukrainians in Canada starting July 16,” said Ihor Michalchyshyn, director general of the Congress of Ukrainian Canadians.
“Although there are a very large number of people who have applied – over a million people have applied so far – there may still be some who have not applied or whose situation could change and which may be a temporary one need accommodation.” »
Looking for a long term solution
Last month, the immigration minister said Ukrainians could apply through traditional immigration channels while the government considered the best long-term plan.
Congress urged the government to find ways to keep people coming to Canada for work until the end of the war.
“We believe there should be open work permits for anyone who continues to apply to enter Canada, as well as service and language support,” Michalchyshyn said.
He also urged the government to continue to give priority to Ukraine’s demands to get people to safety faster.
More than 6.3 million Ukrainian refugees have been registered by the UN refugee agency and more than five million are considered displaced within Ukraine itself.
Mr. Michalchyshyn said the war is not over and is not likely to end soon; That’s why it’s important, he says, to give people certainty about their options.
“No one knows how long the war will last and how long people will be watching this situation to see if they can go home or not,” he said.
“We look forward to clarity because it will help people make decisions.”
family meeting
The federal government has also promised to grant permanent residency permits to Ukrainians with family ties to Canada. Fraser said last month the program would launch soon, but hasn’t made an announcement yet.
“We hope and wait and have waited a long time for the federal government to talk about a path to family reunification. We look forward to hearing more as there have been people who have brought their parents and siblings,” said Mr. Michalchyshyn.
Those already in Canada on an emergency visa have until March 31, 2024 to apply for an extension or change in their temporary status in the country.