Canada’s Response
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) put new measures in place to help Ukrainians who want to come to Canada temporarily or permanently. IRCC is:
- urgently processing new and replacement passports and travel documents for citizens and permanent residents of Canada in Ukraine, so they can return to Canada at any time
- This includes immediate family members who will come with them.
- prioritizing applications from people who currently live in Ukraine for:
- permanent residence
- proof of citizenship
- temporary residence
- citizenship grant for adoption
- granting exemptions for unvaccinated and partially vaccinated Ukrainians and their family members to enter Canada
- adding new ways to make sure people who contact IRCC get answers as fast as possible
- extending a temporary public policy that lets some visitors in Canada, including Ukrainians, apply for a work permit from within Canada
- This means people who get a job offer can stay in Canada and start working while their work permit application is processed.
For the most up-to-date information on Canada’s response to the war in Ukraine, see Immigration measures for people affected by the Russian invasion of Ukraine
Associated Links:
- Additional Immigration Support for Those Affected by the Situation in Ukraine – Canada.ca. Also available in Ukrainian and French
- Canada’s humanitarian assistance for Ukraine – Canada.ca
- Sign up for email updates on the situation in Ukraine – Canada.ca
- Global Citizen – Join the Movement Changing the World; Stand Up for Ukraine
Niagara Stands with Ukraine
“This weekend, I joined with hundreds of Niagara residents in a rally of support for the Ukrainian people. It was heartening to see these types of rallies occurring around the country, and indeed around the world. I believe it is important to show our support for Ukrainian people both here in Niagara, and abroad….”
Statement by Regional Chair Bradley on the public’s support for Ukraine – Niagara Region, Ontario
Niagara Resources and Other Supports
- St. John The Theologian Ukrainian Catholic Church St. Catharines
- Ukrainian Canadian Congress – Niagara | Facebook
- Niagara-wide settlement support services:
- Services aux nouveaux arrivants – Centre de santé communautaire Hamilton/Niagara (cschn.ca)
- Fort Erie Multicultural Centre – Building Community by Bridging Cultures (firststepsincanada.com)
- Niagara Folk Arts Multicultural Center (folk-arts.ca)
- Welland Heritage Council and Multicultural Centre (wellandheritagecouncil.com)
- YMCA Immigrant Services (ymcaofniagara.org)
- Canadian Ukrainian Immigrant Aid Society Toronto
- Canadian Council for Refugees | Working together on behalf of refugees and immigrants (ccrweb.ca)
- The United Nations Refugee Agency in Canada | UNHCR Canada
This brief toolkit provides some context about the current crisis in Ukraine and will assist providers in helping newcomers connect with the Ukrainian-Canadian community and understand the immigration options available to them.
Resources for working with Ukrainian newcomers to Canada