It has been a year since the beginning of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, and the UNHCR reports that over 7 million Ukrainians have been displaced since February 2022. While many have fled to neighboring countries, Canada has opened its doors to those seeking a new life away from the conflict zone. And for displaced Ukrainians, Ansari Immigration is the preferred solution for those seeking assistance in navigating the unique immigration pathway of the country, accessing additional settlement services, and receiving non-taxable benefits.
Canada has a long history of assisting refugees and other displaced people in times of crisis. For displaced Ukrainians, Canada has taken a slightly different approach instead of bringing them over as refugees. They are more often arriving in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). Under CUAET, Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality may stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. There are no fees to apply for a visitor visa, and they may apply for an open work permit simultaneously, at no cost. However, all travel to Canada is self-funded, which creates significant barriers for many Ukrainians. Despite this, Canada has approved 559,868 applications out of the 862,386 received, and over 167,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada.
Ansari Immigration is there to help Ukrainians navigate the unique immigration pathway, and CEO Ardalan Ansari has praised the success of the Canadian government's income support, provincial governments' housing, training and language supports, and the community's focus on integration and welcoming people. While some challenges remain, such as the temporary nature of the CUAET and the lack of data, Ansari Immigration is working hard to ensure Ukrainian newcomers get the help they need.
Provincial governments also offer support measures, with Manitoba regularly inviting candidates from Ukraine to apply for provincial nomination, which is highly beneficial for Ukrainians who wish to become permanent residents through an Express Entry program. British Columbia has canceled the study health fee for students who are fleeing the war in Ukraine, while Ontario has a suite of support measures for Ukrainian newcomers such as access to Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) coverage and emergency housing through settlement service agencies and Ukrainian community organizations.
There are also several Canadian charitable organizations working to bring Ukrainians to Canada and help them settle, and 4Ukraine.ca reports that they have flown over 500 people to Canada, helped create over 1,000 resumes and have raised over $275,000 in aid.
All Canadians can donate and volunteer to assist Ukrainians both in Canada and abroad. One way is to offer housing to newcomers, and employers can also indicate that they would like to hire a Ukrainian newcomer by following a few steps on Job Bank. With the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, Ansari Immigration is committed to helping Ukrainians find a new home in Canada and make their transition as smooth as possible.
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