Canada remains one of the most popular countries for Ukrainians to emigrate to in 2026. With its high standard of living and stable economy, the country offers many opportunities for those who want to start a new life abroad. Find out what the entry rules are for Ukrainians travelling to Canada in 2026, whether Ukrainians need a visa to enter Canada, what opportunities are available for relocation, and how to legalise your stay in the country after arrival
Emigrating to Canada is not just a desire, but also a responsible process that requires clear planning, understanding of requirements, and preparation of the necessary documents. The Ukrainian diaspora in Canada is growing every year — migrants come for work, study, or family reunification. We will tell you how to move to Canada in 2026.
Are you planning to emigrate to Canada? Visit Ukraine specialists will help you every step of the way.
Visa to Canada: main types and requirements in 2026
A visa to Canada for Ukrainians in 2026 is a dream for many, but not everyone gets it because not everyone meets the requirements for obtaining a particular type of visa.
Tourist visa to Canada
For a short stay in Canada, for example, for the purpose of tourism or visiting relatives, Ukrainians need to obtain a tourist visa (Visitor Visa). In 2026, this process remains standard and requires the submission of the following documents to the consulate:
✔️ Completed visa application form (IMM 5257).
✔️ Proof of financial solvency (bank statements).
✔️ Confirmation of the purpose of the trip (hotel reservation, invitation from relatives or friends).
✔️ Valid foreign passport.
✔️ Photo that meets the requirements.
✔️ Airline tickets or other documents confirming travel plans.
Student visa to Canada
Canada also remains a popular destination for Ukrainian students. To study at Canadian higher education institutions, you must obtain a student visa (Study Permit). The following documents are required for this procedure:
✔️ Letter of Acceptance from a Canadian educational institution.
✔️ Proof of financial ability to cover tuition and living expenses.
✔️ Language proficiency certificate (e.g., IELTS or TOEFL).
✔️ Additional documents that may be required depending on the programme or province.
✔️ Work visa
Work visa to Canada
If the purpose of your move is to work in Canada, you must obtain a work permit. This can be a temporary permit or a permit under a permanent migration programme.
The most popular types of visas for employment in Canada are:
– work visa;
– Global Talent Stream – a programme for highly skilled workers in innovative Canadian companies.
For a complete list of work visas for Canada, click here.
To apply for a work visa to Canada, you first need an official job offer from a Canadian employer. This, in turn, confirms that you meet the qualification requirements. All other documents depend on the type of visa.
Important! In 2025, Canada changed the employment conditions for skilled workers under the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP): from now on, workers should expect stricter checks and personal interviews to prevent fraud, and employers should expect higher fines for violating workers’ rights.
Since Canada offers many immigration programmes, we recommend that you consult a migration lawyer if you encounter any difficulties — this will help you choose the best option and save time and effort.
How to move to Canada: stages of preparation
Stage one: research and choose a visa type
The rules for Ukrainians entering Canada in 2024 are a separate and responsible process, which, if possible, is best done with a qualified immigration lawyer. Canada is a ‘highly legal’ country and requires all visitors to comply with its rules. Therefore, before starting the migration process, it is important to clearly define the purpose of your trip. It can be:
✔️ Work.
✔️ Study.
✔️ Business.
✔️ Moving with your family for permanent residence.
For each of these categories, you must select the appropriate type of visa described above and prepare the necessary documents, clarifying the details directly with the Canadian consulate.
Stage two: preparing and submitting documents
Once you have determined your purpose, you must collect the documents in accordance with the requirements of the selected visa type.
Documents can be submitted online through the Canada Immigration Service portal or at the Canadian Visa Application Centre (VAC) in Ukraine.
Important! Medical insurance is mandatory for obtaining a visa. Medical care in Canada is not cheap for foreigners, so insurance is not a formal requirement, but a real way to save your money and the state budget. On the Visit Ukraine portal, you can take out a reliable medical insurance policy in just a few minutes.
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Follow the link to find out who needs insurance to enter Canada and how to apply for it.
Stage three: biometric data collection
Entry into Canada is only possible with a biometric foreign passport. At the same time, for most types of visa applications, including work, student and tourist visas, it is necessary to submit biometric data. This includes fingerprints and a photograph, which are used to identify the applicant.
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Stage four: awaiting a decision and obtaining a visa
The application process can take from a few weeks to several months, depending on the type of visa and the workload of the visa centre. Once you have received a positive decision, you can have a visa stamped in your passport and start planning your trip.
Obtaining a work permit in Canada
What types of work permits are there in Canada?
To obtain a standard work permit, you must have a job offer from a Canadian employer. The employer may require you to undergo a special labour market assessment (LMIA) to prove that there are no local candidates available for the position.
Some categories of workers can obtain an open work permit, which allows them to change employers without having to obtain a new permit. This document is issued, for example, to spouses of students or workers who are already working in Canada. In this regard, Canada will apply the same rules for Ukrainians in 2026.
Who is not eligible for a work permit in Canada?
A work permit in Canada cannot be obtained by those who only have a tourist visa. Such persons are not allowed to work in Canada.
Please note! Refugees who are still awaiting a decision on their status may also not be eligible to work unless they have obtained the appropriate permit.
How to obtain Canadian citizenship?
Entry into Canada for Ukrainians is only the first step, as the emigration process involves many steps and a long stay in the country. Many migrants plan to obtain Canadian citizenship over time — we will explain how to do this below.
Ukrainians in Canada can obtain citizenship if they meet the following requirements:
– permanent residence in Canada at the time of obtaining citizenship;
– residence in Canada for at least 3 of the last 5 years (1095 days);
– payment of all necessary taxes and fees;
– passing a citizenship test;
– proof of knowledge of English or French.
What documents are required to apply for Canadian citizenship?
✔️ Application form (Form CIT 0002).
✔️ Proof of permanent resident status (Permanent Resident Card).
✔️ Passport or other identity documents.
✔️ Tax return documents (Notice of Assessment) for the last three years of residence.
✔️ Proof of residence in Canada – for example, utility bills, bank statements, rental agreements.
✔️ Certificates of proficiency in English or French (for persons aged 18 to 54) – IELTS, TEF or other accredited document.
✔️ Proof of payment of the application fee (for adults – $630, for minors – $100).
✔️ Additional documents – documents confirming a change of name, health status or marital status may be required.
Important! Applications for Canadian citizenship are processed within 27 months.
Reminder! The United States is preparing a large-scale review of refugee cases, which may even affect those who have long since obtained a green card and built a life in the country. The Trump administration’s new policy completely changes the rules of the game and causes concern for thousands of families. Read more about the review of refugee status in the United States here.
Photo: Freepik
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Frequantly
asked questions
What programs are currently available in Canada for Ukrainians?
Today, the two most popular immigration programs in Canada are Express Entry (English-speaking Canada) and the Quebec Immigration Program. In case of successful completion of one of the programs, candidates receive an immigrant visa to Canada, on the basis of which they obtain resident status upon entering Canada.
What is the cheapest way to get from Ukraine to Canada?
The cheapest way to get from Ukraine to Canada is by train from Lviv or Kyiv to Warsaw, and from there by plane to Toronto, which will cost about $750 per person and take more than 20 hours.
What do Ukrainians need for a visa to Canada?
1) A scan of the passport;
2) A scan of the previous/second passport, if any;
3) Personal data;
4) Digital photo;
5) Scan of the certificate from the place of work;
6) Scan of bank statement and cash flow for the last 6 months;
7) Scan of marriage/divorce/children’s birth certificates;
8) Scan of property documents (apartment, car, land);
9) Airline reservation (yours or provided by us);
10) Hotel reservation – (yours or we provide);
11) Documents confirming the purpose of the trip.
What is the price of a visa to Canada for Ukrainians?
The average cost of a visa to Canada for Ukrainians (tourist/visitor) is 100 Canadian dollars ($74), which can be paid using special details provided by the consulate.
How long does it take to get a visa to Canada?
It takes an average of 5-10 business days to obtain a visitor or tourist visa to Canada. No interview is scheduled for VISITOR VISA applicants. The visa officer makes a decision based on the information in the application form and the documents you provide.
