The Inventory Increased With the Introduction of the CUAET
Immigration Canada is facing an even bigger backlog than before. Despite the citizenship backlog decreasing, the temporary and permanent residence backlog now stands at more than two million people. The IRCC has been given an extra $85 million to reduce wait times, but that has done little for people who are still waiting for their permits.
CUAET driving the increase
March and April saw an increase in the inventory of temporary residences, which include work and study permit holders. As of April 11, there are currently more than 1.1 million temporary residence applicants waiting for processing.
Recently, an IRCC spokesperson said that the number of temporary resident visas and work permits had increased dramatically since the introduction of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET).
This program, which has already received more than 180,903 applications, enables the IRCC to bring people to Canada through its existing temporary resident visa infrastructure.
How does CUAET work?
The CUAET is a temporary residency pathway, not a refugee program. It was put in motion following the Russian aggression towards Ukraine and is designed to ease the immigration process by removing many of the usual requirements.
With this program, Ukrainians and their immediate family members can stay in Canada for up to three years, after undergoing a background and security check.
The number of Ukrainians who can apply for this program will not be limited, and visitor visa applications are to be submitted online.
Canada has also come up with settlement program services which are available to temporary residents eligible for CUAET. Available services include:
- Language training;
- Information and orientation to life in Canada, such as assistance with registering children in school;
- Information and services on labour market access, including mentoring, networking, counselling, skills development and training;
- Activities that promote links with communities;
- Assessment of other needs of Ukrainians and referral to appropriate agencies; and
- Services to meet the needs of women, older people, youth and LGBTQ2+ people.
Canada to Welcome Ukrainian Nationals
Express Entry Improving
While the permanent residency inventory increased by 11,000 people, the Express Entry backlog has reduced. There are currently 45,000 Express Entry applicants awaiting decisions in April, down from about 52,000 in March.
According to Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, the reduction in Express Entry applications prompted draws for all programs to resume in July and processing time for most new applicants to last for the usual six months. This is great news for Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) and CEC candidates as there hasn’t been a draw since last year.
