Calls to push back March 31 deadline for Ukrainians evacuees to extend emergency visas

Inna Feschenko is among the estimated 3,000 Ukrainians in Canada that have renewed their open work permits for another two years – after fleeing Ukraine following the Russian invasion in Feb. 2022.

She evacuated Kyiv and went to Poland for a few months. In August 2022, she came to Montreal with her husband Vitalii and her daughter Mariia.

Within the first year of the war, around 300,000 Ukrainians fled to Canada and were welcomed on three-year emergency visas, including Feschenko.

Michael Shwec, the President of the Quebec Provincial Council at Ukrainian-Canadian Congress, says the government is coming up on its three-year mark.

“The measures that were put in place in Canada and Quebec were kind of put in for three years, and we’re at that three-year mark. So renewals have to be done. Whereas the Canadian government opened their doors and kind of just let everybody come in because the bombs were flying, now for the renewal period, what they’re asking is for people to apply for the renewal. So the renewal is being done. It’s just there needs to be an application process. So that’s kind of new,” said

Tens of thousands of Ukrainians now face an uncertain future as their work permits come closer to expiring – and the deadline to apply for an extension is on March 31.

“It would be great if people like Ukrainians who are working here, integrating actively, and contributing something to the country, could have their work permits automatically extended until their immigration process is finalized,” said Feshchenko.

“Lots of Ukrainians, they don’t have where to go back in Ukraine. Their houses could be bombed,” said Feschenko. “If they are doing their best here, it would be great to extend their work permits for them to continue working here, to pay taxes and to live here with their families.”

Shwec says most of the visas are expiring in July, and he’s worried that those affected may only become more aware about it once the deadline passes.

“Their primary language is not English or French. So to navigate this can be a little bit difficult at times,” he said. “So, we were exploring with the federal government. Is their a possibility for an automatic renewal? And the answer was no. And we kind of understand that.”

Shwec added that they are looking for solutions and the next call is for the federal government to extend their March 31 deadline.

“Push it out by four or six months so that we can get the message out there and let people apply for that so that they can also have their work permit,” he said.

In a statement to CityNews, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada could not comment on future policy decisions but said, “Canada remains committed to supporting the people of Ukraine and their families as the war continues by providing a temporary safe haven.

“All clients in Canada must apply to extend their status, ideally before the expiry date of their current visitor record, work or study permit. […] If a temporary resident has lost their status or let their authorization to work or study expire, they may apply to restore their temporary resident status.”

They add that foreign nations will have 90 days after the deadline has passed ”to apply for restoration of temporary resident status.”

“We continue to evaluate how our immigration programs can best support individuals fleeing the war in Ukraine,” the statement reads.

Meanwhile, even as Feschenko longs for her home country and hometown of Zaporizhzhia, she says she wants to eventually apply for permanent residency in Canada, especially as her daughter is integrating.

“Here in this country, I can work. And I know language and that helps me a lot to integrate. And now my kid, she knows fluently Canadian languages. I’m feeling now that for her I’m doing the best, but at the same time, I’m feeling that I’m missing so much my parents,” said Feschenko.

Shwec adding, “They already have their plate full of worries and anxiety. If we can just help them from a Canadian point of view, streamline and smooth out the process a little bit with regards to getting paperwork in place, then I think we will have done our job.”