Offering Employment to Ukrainians Arriving in Canada – What Tourism & Hospitality Employers Need to Know

As the war in Ukraine continues, Canada has opened its doors and hearts to the Ukrainian people who have been forced to flee for their safety. In true Canadian spirit, individuals, businesses and organizations across the country are reaching out, in efforts to provide a host of supports for Ukrainians arriving at our borders – including offers of employment.

go2HR has received a number of inquiries from BC tourism and hospitality employers who are keen to assist Ukrainian newcomers through employment. In some cases, those who are interested in helping are not sure if they can or how to start.

Here’s what you need to know:

The Federal government introduced a number of special measures to support the people of Ukraine, including the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) which offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home. It also gives those who are already in Canada the option to extend their visitor status, work permit or study permit so that they can continue to live and work or study in Canada temporarily.

Quick Facts about the CUAET:

• Ukrainian nationals can apply for a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) through the CUAET using the online Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).  Once approved, the individual is then eligible to travel to and enter Canada.
• Under the CUAET, individuals can also apply for an Open Work Permit through the IRCC portal (when applying online for a TRV), at the port of entry or once they are in Canada.
• Open Work Permits issued under the CUAET are valid for 3 years and allow the individual to work for any employer in Canada, subject to limited exceptions.
• There is currently no limit on the number of individuals the IRCC will accept under the CUAET.
• IRCC is prioritizing the processing of CUAET applications, applications for Temporary Resident Visas (TRV) are currently taking approximately 14 days to process.
• Individuals may also apply for a study permit under the CUAET if they plan to study while in Canada. International students can also work in Canada
• Both Ukrainian nationals and their family members will be exempt from the requirement to be fully vaccinated in order to enter Canada under the CUAET.
• Biometrics can be given at any visa application centre (VAC) outside of Ukraine. VACs are open in Moldova, Romania, Austria and Poland, and there is an extensive VAC network across Europe. Fees for Biometrics will also be waived under the CUAET and the IRCC is exempting certain individuals who are low-risk from providing biometrics on a case-by-case basis at the decision maker’s discretion.

How to Connect with Ukrainian Job Seekers

Canada Job Bank

Canadian employers wishing to support Ukrainians through offers of employment should register their available jobs on the Canada Job Bank. Canadian officials are directing Ukrainian nationals who are seeking employment to this site.

More Information: Jobs for Ukraine – Job Bank

Ukrainian Communities in Canada

A number of Ukrainian communities in BC and nationally are working to connect hiring employers with Ukrainian job seekers:

Vancouver

• The Ukrainian Community Society of Ivan Franko in Vancouver also encourages employers with available employment opportunities to register with the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Vancouver Branch via email or online form.
• Post a Job – Ukrainian Vancouver

Outside Vancouver

• Register available jobs by completing an online form provided by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress. This group is collecting and processing information and will contact you directly should someone be interested.
• Post a Job – Help Ukraine Vancouver Island
• Prince George for Ukraine Facebook group or email
• Find Free Newcomer Services Near You (canada.ca)
  • Use this tool to find Immigrant Support services in your local area
  • A filtered search for “Help Finding a Job” in BC, provides a list of 458 organizations in BC that provide job search support for newcomers.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Katie Van Nostrand or the go2HR team.

For access to the full release, visit here.