The Quest for a Home: Ukrainians Seek Permanent Status in Canada

The war in Ukraine is entering its fourth year of full-scale conflict, and for the nearly 300,000 Ukrainians who found refuge in Canada, the “temporary” label is starting to feel like a burden. As original emergency visas begin to expire, the push for Permanent Residency (PR) has moved from a request to an urgent demand.

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The Reality of “Temporary” Safety

The CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program was a lifeline, but it was never a bridge to citizenship. Now, thousands of families are integrated into the Canadian economy and schools, yet they face a “paperwork cliff.”

• The Struggle with Express Entry: Many newcomers find the standard PR system—which favors youth and high-level English/French proficiency—difficult to navigate. Older workers or those in service industries often lack the “points” to compete.
• Advocacy in Motion: Ukrainian-Canadian organizations have mobilized, presenting petitions with tens of thousands of signatures to Parliament, arguing that it is unrealistic to expect people to return to a country still under active bombardment.

Navigation: Current Status of PR Pathways

Pathway	The “Catch”	Current Status
Family Stream	Requires a Canadian relative.	Closed to new applicants.
Provincial Programs	Varies by province.	Some provinces are tightening caps on low-skilled jobs.
Work/Study Extensions	Keeps you legal, but doesn’t grant PR.	Active until March 31, 2027 (for specific groups).
Standard Economic Streams	High competition for “points.”	Active, but difficult for many CUAET holders.

A Policy Tug-of-War

The Canadian government finds itself in a tight spot. On one hand, there is a clear humanitarian need to protect those who cannot safely return home. On the other hand, the federal government has recently shifted toward reducing the total number of temporary residents to ease pressure on housing and infrastructure.

Minister of Immigration Marc Miller has signaled that while Canada remains committed to Ukraine, a “blanket” PR grant isn’t currently on the table. Instead, the focus remains on encouraging Ukrainians to use existing economic streams—a strategy critics say leaves the most vulnerable behind.

Looking Ahead

The coming months will be a test of Canada’s “special relationship” with Ukraine. With many work permits set to expire throughout 2026, pressure is mounting for a dedicated Humanitarian PR Stream that recognizes the unique reality of this diaspora.