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The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) & family sponsorship
As a growing mid-size city, Kamloops & area welcomes you.
Over 10 million people have left their homes in Ukraine because of the Russian invasion. The Government of Canada has put extraordinary temporary measures into place to ensure Ukrainians can find a safe haven in Canada.
Kamloops Immigrant Services and its community partners stand in solidarity with Ukraine. We are dedicated to supporting incoming Ukrainians in whatever ways are possible.
This website provides guidance for Ukrainian nationals on how to get to Canada and settling in Kamloops, as well as information on what Kamloops-area residents and organizations can do to help.
Immigration is the responsibility of the federal government of Canada. You must follow federal guidance to enter Canada. For immigration and visa questions, call 1-613-321-4243
Option 1: Apply for the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) – APPLY HERE
Option 2: Get Sponsored by a Family Member – CALL 613-321-4243 (collect calls accepted) or CONTACT IRCC
A family member already in Canada may apply to sponsor the following relatives to come to Canada:
Learn more about Family Sponsorship here. A family sponsor must be 18 years of age or older and a Canadian Citizen or Permanent Resident or registered under the Canadian Indian Act. There is a dedicated service channel for Ukraine enquiries that will be available for clients both in Canada and abroad at 613-321-4243, with collect calls accepted. In addition, clients can now add the keyword “Ukraine2022” to the IRCC Web form with their inquiry and their email will be prioritized.
Q FREE & DISCOUNTED FLIGHTS FOR UKRAINIANS – Ukrainian Diaspora Support Canada Q
Cell Phone Assistance for Ukrainian Refugees in need arriving in Kamloops:
Social Supports and Services to help you get settled when you arrive in Canada:
Health Care Resources
If you have a work permit valid for 6 months or longer, you can:
You need a PHN to access health care in B.C.
Employment
Canadian businesses want to hire you. Apply through the Job Bank.
To work in B.C., you need a work permit. Ukrainian nationals and their family members can apply for an open work
permit, valid for up to 3 years.
Graduate students and researchers may be eligible for funding to continue their research in Canada. You must have already received funding from a Canadian research agency.
Education and Child Care
Learn how to access child care in B.C.
If you have children aged 5 to 18, register them in a local school when you arrive.
Need Help? If you need help with government services, call Service BC at 1-800-663-7867.
Available 7:30 am to 5 pm PT. Translators are available in Ukrainian, Russian and 140 other languages.
If you need additional help with information on the options above, you can contact United Way BC’s bc211 by dialing 2-1-1. Ukrainian and Russian interpretation is available. You can also text 2-11, chat or email bc211.
Because Ukrainian people fleeing the crisis are not considered refugees by the Government of Canada, private sponsorship is currently the only way to sponsor a family to the Kamloops area.
If you would to take it upon yourself to bring a family to Kamloops (and you don’t have family in Ukraine), you would need to raise funds for the family’s plane tickets, lodging, food and other basic necessities.
Please contact KIS and let us know if you plan to do this. Tell us your city or town, your proximity to community services and schools, how many people you are able to financially sponsor, and for how long. KIS will try to match you with a family in need. Email: [email protected] | Phone: (778) 470-6101 ext. 101
Kamloops is a welcoming community. Help for Ukraine nationals coming to the Kamloops area is needed now in three main ways:
Financial Support: KIS and community partners have set up a special account, the Ukraine Crisis Community Fund – Action Hub Kamloops and area. Specify what your donation is for, and we will ensure it goes into this fund to help Ukrainians settling in the Kamloops area. Donors will receive a charitable tax receipt.
Other ways you can help:
Kamloops and area welcomes you.
With a population of just over 100,000, Kamloops is the sixth-largest metropolitan area in beautiful British Columbia, Canada.
Our community is culturally diverse. Kamloops has been welcoming people from around the globe for decades. It’s clear that immigrants have helped make our region a vibrant, dynamic place where everyone can prosper.
Kamloops and nearby towns, including Merritt, Sun Peaks, Ashcroft, Cache Creek, and Clearwater, offer a wide variety of outdoor recreational opportunities. Kamloops is situated at the intersection of the Thompson and North Thompson rivers.
Employment opportunities include healthcare, tourism, education, transportation and natural resources. Thompson Rivers University hosts many international students.
The climate is sunny and dry, with temperatures ranging from as low as −20°C in winter to up to 45°C in summer.
Kamloops Immigrant Services can help you settle into Canadian life. We offer a wide range of resources, including one-on-one employment counselling, settlement counselling, English language classes, childminding, help navigating the school system, community connections, mentoring and tutoring, and much more.
Special recreational activities for Ukrainians arriving in Kamloops
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Tapestry Festival is a vibrant celebration of multiculturalism, dedicated to creating an inclusive and diverse environment for all. Join us as a volunteer to help bring this inspiring community event to life together.
