Ihor Berezovskyi, who sought refuge in Canada with his family over three years ago, expresses uncertainty about their future. They are part of the 300,000 Ukrainians who fled to Canada following Russia’s invasion in February 2022 and were granted temporary resident status by Ottawa until March of this year. Despite diligently managing their paperwork and applying for permanent residency almost two years ago, Berezovskyi reveals their status remains unresolved. Additionally, they have not received any updates regarding their children’s temporary status extensions.
The inability to purchase a home due to additional taxes imposed on non-permanent residents is a significant concern for Berezovskyi. Moreover, his four children and grandchild lack coverage under OHIP, while his older children are ineligible for domestic student status, hindering their university aspirations. Kyrylo Tykhonenko, who arrived in Toronto in July 2022 after fleeing Ukraine, faced similar challenges when his temporary resident status expired, forcing him to discontinue his studies at Queen’s University due to unaffordable international student fees.
Advocacy for Expedited Immigration Process
An immigration consultant highlights that thousands of Ukrainians are stuck in a similar predicament, urging the government to expedite the processing of their “approved in principle” applications. This stage signifies meeting the eligibility criteria for permanent residency, pending medical, security, and background checks. Evelina Shatilova, the consultant, emphasizes the urgency of advancing this stage given the ongoing war in Ukraine, preventing families from returning.
The IRCC reiterates Canada’s commitment to assisting Ukrainians during the conflict by providing temporary refuge. However, with many Ukrainians hoping for permanent settlement after residing and working in Canada for an extended period, concerns arise about the growing processing times for immigration applications.
Government Response
In response, Jeffrey MacDonald, an IRCC spokesperson, announces the extension of temporary measures to allow Ukrainians and their families to work and study in Canada amid the ongoing conflict. Ukrainians can apply for new open work permits or renew existing ones, as well as apply for study permits, subject to standard fees. While the IRCC did not address inquiries about application processing backlogs, these measures aim to support Ukrainians during this challenging time.
Svitlana Berezovska, Berezovskyi’s wife, expresses her strong affinity for Canada and hopes for permanent residency to contribute to the welcoming communities. Grateful for the support received upon arrival, she aspires to give back to the Canadian society that embraced her family.
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