In 2005, I was a law student working at a legal aid clinic in Toronto. We served Spanish-speaking clients from all over the world. Just as at present, we were talking to people every day, trying to help them navigate the Canadian immigration system. Everyone wants to come to Canada. At that time, the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IRPA) was relatively new and many people were not up to date with the new laws and regulations. We would regularly speak with folks who had heard about old programs. My job at that time, as it is today, is to guide people through the system and to make sure they are relying on accurate information.
One of the big changes after IRPA came into force was that siblings were no longer allowed to sponsor. Before IRPA, you could easily sponsor your brother or sister. The definition of āfamily memberā changed with the new legislation and there was significant misinformation in the public. I spoke with many (many!) people who wanted to sponsor a sibling. IRPA did not make it impossible; however, it was significantly limited under the new laws. We can still help siblings with sponsorship applications under very limited circumstances. If they are a ālast living relativeā, for example, IRPA made it possible.
Category 1: A family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident in Canada
You can apply to immigrate under this policy if you meet the following conditions.
YouĀ must :
- be a Ukrainian national
- be a family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their:
- spouse or common-law partner
- child (regardless of age)
- grandchild
- parent
- grandparent, or
- sibling (or half-sibling)
- beĀ in CanadaĀ when:
- you submit your application
- youāre granted permanent residence
- have validĀ temporary residentĀ status in Canada, or have applied to restore your status if it has been expired for less than 90 days
- hold a passport or travel document, orĀ provide supporting identity documentsĀ if you donāt hold one
- provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your family member in Canada explaining your relationship to them, and
- beĀ admissibleĀ to Canada
The Canadian citizen or permanent resident (your family member) must:
- currently live in Canada
- be at least 18 years of age or older
- not have been granted permanent residence themselves under this policy
Category 2 ā Spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national who has family in Canada
You can apply to immigrate under this policy if you meet the following conditions.
You must be theĀ spouse or common-law partnerĀ of a Ukrainian national.
YourĀ spouse or partnerĀ must:
- be unable to leave Ukraine, be missing, have passed away, or have presumed to have passed way
- be the family member of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident including their:
- child (regardless of age)
- grandchild
- parent
- grandparent, or
- sibling (or half-sibling)
YouĀ must:
- beĀ in CanadaĀ when:
- you submit your application
- youāre granted permanent residence
- not have remarried or be in a common-law relationship with another person since leaving Ukraine
- have validĀ temporary residentĀ status in Canada, or have applied to restore your status if it has been expired for less than 90 days
- hold a passport or travel document, or provideĀ supporting identity documentsĀ if you donāt hold one
- provide a signed statutory declaration form (IMM 0191) from your spouse or partnerās family member in Canada explaining your relationship to them, and
- beĀ admissibleĀ to Canada
We meet with many Ukrainians who are trying to get PR status. If you qualify for the above program, ENGLISH is not a requirement.
If you meet the criteria above, we would like to help you bring your family members to Canada!
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