Ukrainians who fled to Canada in limbo as permits and passports expire

The Zhyvotiahin family, from left: Mykyta, age 17, Kirill, age 4, Olena and Vitalii. Vitalii Zhyvotiahin says he is unable to renew his Ukrainian passport while his wife and kids are waiting for renewed work and study permits.

Ukrainians who fled war in their country for safety in Canada now find themselves in a bureaucratic bind, as many encounter delays in renewing Canadian study and work permits, and face obstacles to renewing their Ukrainian passports.

Almost 300,000 Ukrainians came to Canada after Russia invaded Ukraine in February, 2022, under a program allowing an unlimited number of Ukrainian fleeing the war to work, study and stay in Canada for up to three years.

The government has said it will not send back Ukrainians who came here under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for