Ukrainian Permanent Residency Hopes in Canada
A recent article in the Times Colonist, written by Hannah Link and available here, explores how many Ukrainians who fled to Vancouver Island after Russia’s 2022 invasion have built new lives over the past four years and are eager for Ukrainian permanent residency to remain in Canada. MKS immigration lawyer Benton Mischuk was quoted in the article, providing expert commentary on immigration pathways and the urgent need for policy extensions.
Marking the four-year anniversary of the war, the piece shares stories of families and individuals in Victoria and Nanaimo who have integrated into jobs, schools, and communities—such as Anastasiia Konstantynova, a former physics teacher now aiding newcomers; Kateryna Komiaha, working in Indigenous advocacy law; and the Yevtushenko family, whose children excel in languages and competitions. Many express deep reluctance to return to a devastated Ukraine, with children adapting fully to Canadian life.
Benton Mischuk explains that many Ukrainians have secured Ukrainian permanent residency through family sponsorship or skilled job qualifications. He notes the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) visa lasts up to three years, with the extension application window closing at the end of March, after which alternatives like employer-sponsored permits would be required. Mischuk advocates for extending the emergency visa period and supports calls for a streamlined permanent residency pathway similar to that for Hong Kong residents, stating: “I think it strengthens both of us as Canada acts to make it easier for Ukrainians to stay permanently.”
Benton Mischuk is a dedicated Canadian immigration lawyer at MKS Immigration Lawyers, with offices in Vancouver and Victoria. Called to the BC bar in 1995 after earning his LLB from UBC, Benton draws on decades of insider experience—from serving as a foreign service officer in overseas visa offices, managing the BC Provincial Nominee Program, acting as a hearings officer with CBSA, to advising as immigration counsel for the Department of Justice. Today, he passionately helps clients with work permits, skilled worker permanent residence, family sponsorship, business immigration, and more. He has spoken directly to many displaced Ukrainians and international students, guiding them through complex processes with clarity and care.