Background
Canada introduced the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) in March 2022 to provide rapid temporary status for Ukrainian nationals fleeing war. According to IRCC, over 1.19 million CUAET visa applications have been received and 958,190 approved as of January 2024 (IRCC, 2024). However, only 221,231 individuals have arrived under the program so far. The deadline for visa issuance is March 31, 2024 and for travel/permits is also March 31, 2024 (Abramovich, 2024). With a significant approved backlog still overseas, an extension is reasonable.
Issues with Current Deadline
The CUAET program uncapped nature has created backlogs, especially for mixed-nationality family applications still pending (Abramovich, 2024). Processing challenges coupled with the short window for approved applicants to enter Canada has placed undue hardship. Applicants have arranged their lives around the program and need more time to travel once approved.
Policy Recommendations
The CUAET visa and program deadline should be extended by 4 months to August 1, 2024 based on:
Scale of Backlog: Over 700,000 approved but not traveled. More time needed.
Family Reunification: Expedite mixed-nationality family approvals.
Certainty for Displaced Persons: Extra time allows approved applicants to enter Canada.
An extension upholds Canada’s commitment to providing refuge while giving applicants certainty. Targeted processing efforts would also facilitate more timely family reunification.
IRCC. (2023). Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel: Key figures. https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/key-figures.html
Abramovich, L. (2024). The urgent need to extend the March 31, 2024 CUAET program deadline. Canadian Immigration Lawyers Association. https://cila.co/the-urgent-need-to-extend-the-march-31-2024-cuaet-program-deadline/