Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures

About the CUAET measures

Under the CUAET measures, you can get a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily, until it is safe to return to Ukraine.

This visitor visa

• is fee-exempt
• will be processed on a priority basis
• gives you the option to apply for a fee-exempt open work permit at the same time

When you arrive at the border in Canada, you’ll be given status as either a

• visitor
• worker, if you want to work; or
• student, if you want to attend primary or secondary school
  • if you want to attend post-secondary school, see Studying in Canada

You may be able to stay in Canada for up to 3 years. Before your status in Canada expires, if you want to stay longer, you need to apply to extend your stay. Check the expiry date on your visitor record, study permit or work permit to find out when your status expires.

Who can apply

If you’re outside Canada, you can apply if you have

• a valid Ukrainian passport or
• another national identity document

If you don’t have a valid passport or another identity document, you can still apply. An officer may issue you a temporary resident permit to allow you to travel to Canada.

If someone else is applying for you

A friend or family member can apply for you. When they fill out the online application, they must answer Yes when asked Are you applying on behalf of someone else?

On the Documents to support your application page, they must upload the Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476].

Authorized paid representatives must use the Authorized Paid Representative Portal to submit an application on behalf of their client.

If you’re applying for minor children

Make sure you upload the following documents in each minor child’s application:

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate (if possible)
• a letter of authorization from the parent who is not travelling with the child (if applicable)

Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

You’ll need to give your biometrics if

• you haven’t given them in the past
• biometrics are required

You don’t have to pay the biometrics fee.

We can’t process your application if we don’t have your biometrics.

Learn more about when and how to give your biometrics.

Exemption for some applicants

You may not need to give biometrics if, on the day you apply for your visitor visa under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET), you

• are 17 years old or younger
• are 61 years old or older
• have been approved for a Canadian visitor visa within the past 10 years

We’ll contact you by email to let you know if this applies to you. In all cases, follow the most recent instructions we’ve sent you.

Find out where to go to give biometrics

If you gave your biometrics in the past, they may still be valid.

Check if your biometrics are still valid

Medical exam

You don’t need to get an immigration medical exam before coming to Canada. However, if you normally need a medical exam to come to Canada, you may need to get one within 90 days of your arrival. What you need depends on your age.

You’ll get instructions on how to complete this when you arrive. You may need to pay a fee for this exam.

Find out about medical exams for visitors, students and workers

Fees

You don’t have to pay fees for any of the below:

• visitor visa
• open work permit
• study permit
• biometrics
• temporary resident permit

You’ll need to pay fees for your chest x-ray and blood test if you’re told to get one.

Find out more about fees that are being waived

Working and studying in Canada

Working in Canada

The CUAET measures give you the option to apply for a visitor visa and an open work permit at the same time if you’re outside Canada. This work permit is fee-exempt and will let you work for most employers in Canada.

Find out how to apply for the open work permit

Studying in Canada

The CUAET measures give you the option to study while in Canada.

Find out how to study in Canada

When you arrive at the Canadian port of entry

Tell the officer that you’re coming to Canada under the CUAET measures so that they can give you the right document to let you to work, study or stay longer than 6 months.

How to apply under the CUAET measures

Apply for a visitor visa and open work permit through the IRCC portal.

How to apply for the visitor visa and work permit

After you apply

Find out what to expect and what you need to do after you apply.

Non-Ukrainian family members of a Ukrainian national who are outside Canada can also apply under the CUAET measures.

A family member is defined as a

• spouse or common-law partner
• dependent child (yours, your spouse’s or common-law partner’s) or
• dependent child of a dependent child

About the CUAET measures

Under the CUAET measures, you can get a visitor visa to come to Canada temporarily. The visitor visa

• is fee-exempt
• will be processed on a priority basis
• gives you the option to apply for a fee-exempt open work permit at the same time

When you arrive at the border in Canada, you’ll be given status as either a

• visitor
• worker, if you want to work
• student, if you want to attend primary or secondary school in Canada
  • if you want to attend post-secondary school, see Studying in Canada

You may be able to stay in Canada for up to 3 years. Before your status in Canada expires, if you want to stay longer, you need to apply to extend your stay. Check the expiry date on your visitor record, study permit or work permit to find out when your status expires.

Who can apply

If you’re outside Canada, you can apply if you

• are from a visa-required country
  • if you’re from an eTA-required country, find out what to do
• can prove you’re a family member of a Ukrainian national
• have a valid passport

If you don’t have a valid passport or another identity document

You need to contact the embassy or consulate of your country of citizenship to request a new passport.

If someone else is applying for you

A friend or family member can apply for you. When they fill out the online application, they must answer Yes when asked Are you applying on behalf of someone else?

On the Documents to support your application page, they must upload the Use of a Representative form [IMM 5476].

Authorized paid representatives must use the Authorized Paid Representative Portal to submit an application on behalf of their client.

If you’re applying for minor children

Make sure you upload the following documents in each minor child’s application:

• a copy of the child’s birth certificate (if possible)
• a letter of authorization from the parent who is not travelling with the child (if applicable)

If you’re from an eTA-required country

If you’re the family member of a Ukrainian national and you’re from an eTA-required country, you need to apply and pay for an eTA to travel to Canada.

However, you can still benefit from the CUAET measures, including the option to apply

• to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor for up to 3 more years or until your passport expires
• for a fee-exempt work permit when you arrive in Canada
• for a fee-exempt study permit (if applicable)

After you arrive in Canada, follow the instructions for those inside Canada for more information.

How to apply for an eTA

Documents to prove your family relationship

Documents you can use to prove your family relationship include

• a marriage certificate or proof of common-law status (documents showing a shared address)
• a birth certificate
• other documents that show an immediate family connection, for example
  • correspondence from us showing a spousal sponsorship application in progress
  • documents that show a shared home address

When you travel, bring documents that prove your family relationship. When you arrive at the border, you need to show these documents to the border services officer.

The documents above are examples only. An officer may ask for other documents.

Fingerprints and photo (biometrics)

You’ll need to give your biometrics if

• you haven’t given them in the past
• biometrics are required

You don’t have to pay the biometrics fee.

After you submit your application, you’ll get a biometrics instruction letter. Bring your letter with you when you give your biometrics.

Find out where to go to give biometrics.

If you gave your biometrics in the past, they may still be valid.

Check if your biometrics are still valid.

Medical exam

You don’t need to get an immigration medical exam before coming to Canada. However, if you normally need a medical exam to come to Canada, you may need to get one within 90 days of your arrival. What you need depends on your age.

You’ll get instructions on how to complete this when you arrive. You may need to pay a fee for this exam.

Find out about medical exams for visitors, students and workers

Fees

You don’t have to pay fees for any of the below:

• visitor visa
• open work permit
• study permit
• temporary resident permit
• biometrics

You’ll need to pay fees for your chest x-ray and blood test if you’re told to get one.

Find out more about fees that are being waived

Working and studying in Canada

Working in Canada

The CUAET measures give you the option to apply for a visitor visa and an open work permit at the same time. This work permit is fee-exempt and will let you work for most employers in Canada.

Find out how to apply for the open work permit

Studying in Canada

The CUAET measures give you the option to study while in Canada.

Find out how to study in Canada

When you arrive at the Canadian port of entry

Tell the officer that you’re coming to Canada under the CUAET measures so that they can give you the right document to let you to work, study or stay longer than 6 months.

How to apply under the CUAET measures

Apply for a visitor visa and open work permit through the IRCC portal.

How to apply for the visitor visa and work permit

After you apply

Find out what to expect and what you need to do after you apply.

You don’t need to withdraw your application and apply under the CUAET measures. We’ll prioritize your visitor visa application if you contact us using the web form.

If you’re a Ukrainian national or family member of a Ukrainian national and you already have a valid visitor visa or eTA, you can travel to Canada on your existing visitor visa or eTA. Once you arrive in Canada, you can benefit from the CUAET including the option to apply

• to extend your stay in Canada as a visitor for up to 3 more years, or until your passport expires
• for a fee-exempt work permit when you arrive in Canada
• for a fee-exempt study permit (if applicable)

After you arrive in Canada, follow the instructions for those inside Canada for more information.