Ukraine citizens fleeing Russian invasion can stay in Canada for 3 years: Report

The Ottawa government on Thursday announced that it is establishing a new immigration program that will offer Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion a temporary Canadian residence permit for up to three years.

In a statement, Canada, which has a large Ukrainian diaspora, especially in the centre and west of the country said that “Ukrainians and their immediate family members of any nationality may stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years.”

Also read: Ukrainian mother-of-12 dies fighting Russian forces

News agency AFP reported that applicants are required to apply online and provide their biometric data in the form of fingerprints and a photo.

Ukrainian refugees can simultaneously apply for a work and study permit.

Also read: Who was Jimmy Hill? Minnesota native killed by Russian sniper in Ukraine

Ukrainians and their families already settled on Canadian soil will also benefit from the new measures and can “extend their visitor status or work permit for 3 years, apply for a new work or study permit, or extend their existing permit.”

On Thursday, a United Nations count said that more than three million people have fled Ukraine since the start of the deadly Russian invasion on February 24, more than half of whom have taken refuge in Poland.

Also read: Russia’s Daniil Medvedev could face Wimbledon ban if he doesn’t denounce Vladimir Putin

Meanwhile, Russia announced it will not ask the UN Security Council to vote Friday on its draft resolution on humanitarian relief for Ukraine, which has been criticized for making no mention of Moscow’s invasion of its neighbor.

It will instead use the scheduled council session to again raise allegations that the United States has biological warfare laboratories in Ukraine, claims that Washington says are disinformation and part of a potential “false-flag operation” by Moscow.

Also read: Europe will not attempt Mars mission this year, due to war in Ukraine

Russia’s UN ambassador, Vassily Nebenzia, made the announcement at a Security Council meeting Thursday afternoon that was called by six Western countries, including the United States, to get an update on the three-week-old war.