Ukrainian Newcomers in Manitoba Face Uncertainty Over Residency Paths

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Key Takeaways

• Manitoba has welcomed nearly 30,000 Ukrainians under the CUAET program, which is set to expire, raising permanent residency concerns.
• Ukrainians can apply through federal programs like Express Entry or Manitoba’s Provincial Nominee Program, but processes are complex and opaque.
• Ukrainians receive free settlement support until March 31, 2025; advocates urge an extension of CUAET and settlement funding.

Some Ukrainian newcomers in Manitoba 🇨🇦 are experiencing deep anxiety as they struggle to secure permanent residency. These challenges are becoming more pressing as their temporary visas near expiration. Since the full-scale invasion of Ukraine 🇺🇦 began, Manitoba has welcomed nearly 30,000 Ukrainians, many of whom now face an uncertain future. While they’ve built lives in Canada through work and community ties, taking the next steps toward permanent residency has proven to be a difficult process for many.

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program played a key role in enabling the majority of these arrivals. However, this program is set to expire, leaving a significant gap in the immigration landscape for Ukrainians in Canada. While the CUAET program offered a much-needed lifeline at the height of the crisis, it was always framed as a temporary solution. For thousands of Ukrainians, the temporary visa was an entry point to safety, but it didn’t automatically create a path to permanent residency. Reports indicate that more than 90% of Ukrainians who arrived want to remain in Canada, despite Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky urging his countrymen to return. Yet, the tools to make that long-term goal a reality are complicated.

Ukrainian Newcomers in Manitoba Face Uncertainty Over Residency Paths

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that Ukrainians can apply for permanent residency through “various existing immigration programs and streams.” But the process is layered with challenges, ranging from navigating bureaucratic procedures to meeting eligibility requirements—challenges that are often overwhelming for people already grappling with the trauma of displacement.

Provincial and Federal Immigration Trends Create Pressures

The tension between provincial and federal immigration targets adds another challenge for Ukrainian newcomers. Manitoba, known for its strong focus on skilled worker immigration, has pushed to increase provincial immigration levels. In 2024, Manitoba fully utilized its allocation of 9,500 provincial nominees, underscoring its commitment to filling labour shortages through immigration. For 2025, the province has made a bold move, requesting an increase to 12,000 provincial nominations—an ambitious 26% rise aimed at meeting Manitoba’s long-term economic needs.

However, this provincial push stands in contrast to recent decisions by the federal government. Under its three-year immigration plan for 2025-2027, the federal government reduced the number of admitted permanent residents, with a target of 395,000 in 2025—a significant cut of 105,000 compared to earlier projections. This nationwide tightening of immigration numbers may add more hurdles for those, like Ukrainian newcomers, who seek permanent residency during an already precarious time.

The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has stepped in, urging federal authorities to extend the CUAET program for an additional three years. They argue that ongoing war conditions demand a more prolonged, flexible approach to supporting Ukrainians in Canada. Additionally, they’ve pressed for extended settlement funding beyond March 31, 2025, to ensure smoother integration processes.

Pathways to Permanent Residency: Challenges for Newcomers

Ukrainians seeking permanent residency must navigate Canada’s intricate immigration system, which includes both federal and provincial options. On the federal level, the Express Entry system serves as one of the primary routes to permanent residency. Express Entry is an online system for managing applications under three key programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

For these programs, applicants must:
1. Prove their eligibility based on work experience, education, and language skills.
2. Prepare necessary documents, such as language test results and educational credentials.
3. Create an Express Entry profile on the IRCC portal.
4. Submit an application through one of the pathways, depending on their eligibility.

For some Ukrainian newcomers, this process can feel daunting, especially given the administrative requirements and competitive nature of the Express Entry system.

Provincial pathways, like the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP), offer another option. Manitoba has recently revamped the MPNP, adding specialized streams to target international students and business immigrants. These changes aim to streamline immigration for skilled individuals who can contribute to Manitoba’s economy. Yet, for Ukrainians unfamiliar with the system, becoming a nominee under MPNP often requires help navigating the fast-changing landscape of requirements and opportunities. While these provincial programs offer real chances for permanent residency, the intricate details leave many feeling unsure about their eligibility or how they can apply.

Addressing Labour Shortages While Tackling New Challenges

Manitoba has launched new regional immigration efforts to focus on smaller and more rural communities, which often struggle to attract skilled workers. Over the last two years, five specific regional programs have been developed, allowing local communities to decide their nominee needs. While these efforts are vital to resolving local labour shortages, they add layers of complexity for immigrants who now need to match specific regional economic requirements to their own skillsets. Some Ukrainian newcomers might find these opportunities beneficial, but understanding the specifics of these programs can be challenging.

At the same time, federal initiatives have created additional hurdles. On January 21, 2025, the federal government introduced tougher eligibility rules for spousal open work permits. Programs like these have often served as an essential lifeline for individuals hoping to maintain their status, but the new regulations are likely to limit access for some. This has compounded frustrations among the wider immigrant community in Canada.

The Bigger Picture: A Balancing Act

Between federal policy shifts and provincial aspirations, Canada faces a tough balancing act. Ukrainian newcomers reflect this intersection clearly: they are not only a humanitarian priority but also an economic asset. The contributions of Ukrainians help strengthen communities, address urgent labour needs, and bring diverse skills to Canada. Manitoba’s active promotion of immigration highlights its recognition of these contributions, but national immigration plans with reduced targets seem to pull back on this momentum.

For Ukrainians currently living in Manitoba, uncertainty continues to dominate the conversation. As of February 24, 2025, Ukrainians and their families can still access free settlement support until March 31, 2025. What lies beyond this date is yet to be clarified, leaving many reliant on rapid governmental action and advocacy efforts from organizations like the Ukrainian Canadian Congress.

Potential political changes could also influence future outcomes. Advocacy groups have expressed concern that shifts in national leadership could bring changes to the current approach toward Ukrainian newcomers. As Ihor Boychuk of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress explains, immigrants often become caught in policy swings when governments change.

The Road Ahead

Ukraine’s ongoing war and the complicated global situation it has created underline the immense need for swift, transparent, and accessible pathways to permanent residency. For Manitoba specifically, the benefits of helping Ukrainian newcomers make the transition to permanent status go beyond labour statistics—they also enrich communities and strengthen local economies.

Although Manitoba has worked hard to build approachable immigration programs like the Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program, it’s clear that gaps remain. Ukrainians in Manitoba—many of whom have fled unimaginable conditions—deserve clear, compassionate pathways for staying in a country where they have already started contributing significantly. For now, though, anxiety persists as temporary visas near expiration, and many wonder if the next step to permanent residency will ever come.

As reported by VisaVerge.com, Manitoba’s increasing focus on supporting skilled workers provides some hope, but overarching federal policies need better alignment to create meaningful change for vulnerable groups. For more detailed information on programs such as Express Entry, visit the official Canadian immigration website at IRCC.

For Ukrainian newcomers in Manitoba 🇨🇦, the coming months will be crucial. The decisions made now stand to define not only individual futures but also the broader role Canada plays on the global humanitarian stage. Stakeholders across federal and provincial levels must collaborate to turn policy aspirations into real, practical solutions for those who urgently need them.

Learn Today

Permanent Residency → Legal status allowing an individual to live and work indefinitely in a country without being a citizen.
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) → A temporary program providing Ukrainians expedited entry and legal status in Canada during the Ukraine crisis.
Express Entry → Canada’s online immigration system managing permanent residency applications for skilled workers through various federal programs.
Manitoba Provincial Nominee Program (MPNP) → A regional immigration initiative allowing Manitoba to nominate skilled individuals for permanent residency to meet local needs.
Spousal Open Work Permit → Authorization permitting spouses of temporary visa holders or students to work in Canada without employer-specific restrictions.

This Article in a Nutshell

Ukrainian newcomers in Manitoba face mounting uncertainty as temporary visas near expiration, with pathways to permanent residency proving complex. Despite contributing to local economies and communities, federal policy gaps and provincial constraints create hurdles. Manitoba’s immigration ambitions contrast national tightening, highlighting the urgent need for streamlined, compassionate solutions for these resilient newcomers.
— By VisaVerge.com