Ukrainian newcomers face uncertainty as emergency visas near expiration
CUAET visas granted in response to Russia’s invasion set to expire March 31
Many temporary visas granted to Ukrainians who fled to Canada may expire within a few months, as the war continues overseas.
Russia's invasion of Ukraine in February 2022 displaced millions of Ukrainians. The government of Canada offered Ukrainian nationals temporary refuge through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program, until March 31, 2025.
As battle continues in Ukraine, many CUAET visa holders in Edmonton are grappling with insecurity as the deadline nears, said Orysia Boychuk, president of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta Provincial Council.
"Our office received numerous calls and people are very worried," Boychuk said. "They are not able to obtain the documents they need to contribute and live in a safe way."
The CUAET program, intake for which ended July 2023, allows Ukrainian refugees and their family members to enter Canada temporarily and build new lives as they wait for the war to end. But now, as visas approach their three-year expiration date, concerns are growing about what happens next.
"There's a real fear that people could end up in a no-status situation if they don't apply for an extension in time," said Boychuk. "We're also hearing that some of these extensions are being denied."
Nataliia Bodnarchuk, a mother of four who settled in Edmonton, is among those uncertain about the future.
Her daughter's passport is set to expire soon, and she's trying to secure a spot for her daughter in a school and daycare programs.To apply for these services, she needs a visitor permit, which she cannot obtain without a valid passport.
Bodnarchuk has had difficulties in renewing passports due to limited availability at consulates and tight timeframes, which often require her to wait for long periods and apply at very specific times, she said.
Trying to get the necessary documents for her children's education and welfare has increased her stress, she added.
"It's not easy. The government could help by extending the visitor or work permits, or offering exceptions for expired passports," Bodnarchuk said.
"After being stressed because of the war, we would like to at least have a more peaceful and less stressful life here."
Some Ukrainian newcomers are also questioning what pathways exist for permanent residency, with few clear options available, said Boychuk.
"Quotas have been reached so it doesn't appear that there's really many opportunities available for any newcomers to stay at this particular time," she said.
Ukrainians who arrived in Canada through the CUAET program can apply for an extension of their open work or study permits until March 31. Foreign nationals have 90 days from the date they lose their temporary resident status to apply to restore that status, according to a spokesperson for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Those who want to stay permanently in Canada can apply for permanent residency "through various existing immigration programs and streams," the spokesperson told CBC News in a statement.
"The extended visit, work and study status offered by CUAET — as well as access to settlement services — will help those seeking to transition through these programs," they said.
The Ukrainian Canadian Congress is requesting a three-year extension to the CUAET program, given that the war is ongoing, Boychuk said. It is also calling for "additional settlement support" to extend past March 31.
The settlement services include language training, housing and financial aid, childcare, and healthcare benefits.
Adding to the existing uncertainty is what could happen if there is a change in the federal government, Boychuk said.
"Just as we've worked with the current government, we'll have to continue working with whoever comes into power and advocate for the needs of newcomers here," she said.
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