Ukraine Update

Information for Ukrainian nationals

Crisis Response Ukraine
Home > Crisis Response Ukraine

Contact Information:
Ukraine Nationals

+1-437-232-5981
ukraine@jiastoronto.org

Russian & Ukrainian speakers available. Contact JIAS for information prior to and after your arrival

Contact Information: <br>Ukraine Nationals

Rally Together in Support

JIAS is the only Jewish social service agency in the country solely dedicated to providing settlement services to immigrants and refugees. We are the community leader in our understanding of their needs and have the broadest range of resources, including trauma-informed counselling and a formal partnership with the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada.

The tragedy in Ukraine is shifting our efforts back to our roots. Once again, we welcome, support, and integrate Jewish Ukrainians arriving in Canada. In addition to Ukrainians, we expect Russian Jews to want to come to Canada in fear of their safety, increased antisemitism, and retribution for their political beliefs.

This is a time for Canadians – governments, institutions, communities, and individuals – to rally together in support as we always do in crises. We are humbled by our community agencies that have reached out to share their resources and support. Acting with immediacy and strategic collaboration is the only way to save lives and support those now displaced.

Information for Ukraine Nationals

If you are a Ukraine national or a concerned family member reach out to our JIAS intake department on WhatsApp at or email at ukraine@jiastoronto.org. We have people who speak Ukrainian, Russian and English. We are your destination to access the resources and information you need. We look forward to helping you.

Emergency income supports

Ukrainians in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) are eligible to apply for Emergency Assistance which provides temporary financial support for basic needs and shelter in crisis situations. If you do not have enough money for things like food and housing, you may qualify for Emergency Assistance.

If you have a Canadian social insurance number (SIN), you can apply online.

If you do not have a social insurance number, contact your local Ontario Works office.

Health care

Ukrainians in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The province pays for medically-necessary health services covered by OHIP.

Learn how to apply for OHIP, including what documents are needed, or call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY: 1-800-387-5559).

The Ontario Drug Benefit Program helps cover the cost of about 5,000 prescription drugs. Learn how to get help paying for prescription drugs.

If you have a long-term physical disability, you can get help paying for equipment and supplies through the Assistive Devices Program.

School

Elementary or secondary school students who have been approved to come to or remain in Canada for humanitarian reasons can attend publicly funded schools without paying fees. This includes children who are in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel.

Learn more about enrolling your children in school.

College and university students

International Student Connect provides information online and in-person to support international students in Ontario.

Employment supports

If you need help finding employment in Ontario, or if you are an employer interested in hiring a Ukrainian newcomer, call 1-888-562-4769 to be referred to an agency that can help you.

Employment Ontario

Employment Ontario can help you find work or training. You can make a free appointment to speak with an employment counsellor that can help you:

-find grants and other services to find work

-find training to build your skills and start a new career

-find a job

-prepare for an interview

-develop career goals

-start a job when the time is right

Ontario Job Bank

The Ontario Job Bank is an employment service for people looking for a job and employers looking for workers. If you are looking for a job, you can use the job bank to search for jobs near you.

Employers who wish to support Ukrainians with offers of employment can register on Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) selects immigration candidates who best meet Ontario’s labour market needs.

Ukrainian applicants who are invited to apply based on established program criteria will benefit from expedited processing. If your application is approved, you will receive a nomination more quickly.

Ukrainians in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel are eligible to apply for Emergency Assistance which provides temporary financial support for basic needs and shelter in crisis situations.

If you do not have enough money for things like food and housing, you may qualify for Emergency Assistance.

To apply:

  • if you have a Canadian social insurance number (SIN), you can apply online
  • if you do not have a social insurance number, contact your local Ontario Works office

The Ontario government is launching a suite of supports for Ukrainian families arriving under the new emergency travel authorization, including a dedicated hotline (1-888-562-4769) and email address (ukrainianjobs@ontario.ca) to connect new arrivals with job search supports and local employers in the community.

The government has issued “national interest exemptions” for Ukrainian nationals and families coming to Canada including:

  • Eliminating the need to provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test upon arrival if unvaccinated • Allowing unvaccinated travellers to transfer freely to other provinces
  • Ukrainian nationals are exempt from the requirement of presenting ArriveCan
  • Supporting arrivals with meeting quarantine plan requirements and offering health assessments on-site to those displaying symptoms of infectious disease.

 

Additional information:

  • Unvaccinated arrivals are required to take a COVID-19 test on Days 1 and 8 of their arrival
  • Vaccinated arrivals may be identified for random COVID-19 testing
  • There is no quarantine requirement until a positive test result
  • Unvaccinated arrivals need a suitable quarantine plan; Public Health Agency of Canada officers can offer assistance
  • Travellers who test positive and have no quarantine/isolation plan can be placed in a PHAC quarantine facility; however, community settings are preferred
  • Support is available to help access the technology required to do the Switch Health tests and with groceries and essentials.

Ukrainians in Ontario under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) are eligible for coverage under the Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP). The province pays for medically-necessary health services covered by OHIP.

Learn how to apply for OHIP, including what documents are needed, or call ServiceOntario INFOline at 1-866-532-3161 (TTY: 1-800-387-5559).

The Ontario Drug Benefit Program helps cover the cost of about 5,000 prescription drugs. Learn how to get help paying for prescription drugs.

If you have a long-term physical disability, you can get help paying for equipment and supplies through the Assistive Devices Program.

If you do not yet have OHIP, you can access free medical care. Click here for a list of clinics that serve uninsured refugees and people without immigration status.

Ontario will credit foreign driving experience for protected persons, refugees, and people from Ukraine to help them get their driver’s license sooner.

People from Ukraine may present a photocopy of their foreign driver’s license bearing a stamp from the Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) or a Border Services Officer as acceptable proof of their foreign driving experience when applying for an Ontario driver’s license. If individuals are unable to present their foreign driver’s license, they may also complete a self-declaration to state the amount of their foreign driving experience, which will be applied to their new Ontario driver record. Drivers with 24 months or more driving experience will be exempt from the mandatory time periods required under Ontario’s Graduated Licensing System. If less than 24 months is self-declared, wait times between testing will be reduced accordingly based on driving experience.

If the foreign driver’s license, or the stamped photocopy is used to apply experience, it can be expired up to one year at the time of application and must be in English or French or must comply with current document translation requirements. The foreign driver’s license must be from the country of citizenship.

At the time of application, the applicant must provide one of the following original documents in order to be eligible to present a stamped photocopy of their foreign driver’s license or self-declaration:

• Acknowledgement of Claim and Notice to Return for Interview
• Refugee Protection Claimant Document
• Notice of Decision
• Verification of Status
• Ukrainian Passport and valid Visa

All other identification requirements proving the applicant’s legal name, date of birth, and signature must still be met.

Click here for more information.

Contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an update using the web form (add the keyword UKRAINE2022 in the “Your enquiry” box and they will prioritize your request) or by phone at +1-613-321-4243 (collect calls are accepted). You can also contact your settlement worker for additional support and guidance. If you don’t know who your settlement worker is, please contact us at info@jiastoronto.org.

If you need consular assistance, you should contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre (EWRC) for 24/7 emergency consular assistance.

If you are a permanent resident of Canada and you don’t have a valid PR card, you can apply for a permanent resident travel document to travel back to Canada.

If you are in Ukraine, you should shelter in a safe place unless you are able to leave the country safely. If you plan to leave Ukraine by air or land, confirm your destination’s entry requirements prior to arrival. Check Leaving Ukraine – Border restrictions for information about entering Hungary, Moldova, Poland, Romania or Slovakia from Ukraine.

If you are returning to Canada, check COVID-19: Travel, testing and borders for information about the health requirements for entering Canada.

To find out about other immigration measures in place to support make it easier and faster for permanent residents of Canada and their immediate family members to return to Canada.

In addition to reaching out to your settlement worker for support, you can also contact Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Toronto) Inc. at 416-763-4982 or the Distress Centre at 416-408-HELP (4357).

Emergency Contact Information for Canadians

If you are in Ukraine and need consular assistance, contact the Emergency Watch and Response Centre.

Canada Ukraine Foundation

The Canada-Ukraine Foundation (CUF) was established to coordinate, develop, organize, and deliver assistance projects generated by Canadians and directed to Ukraine.

Emergency hotline for the Ukrainian Jewish Community

The Jewish Agency and The International Fellowship of Christians and Jews opened an emergency hotline to provide Ukrainian Jews with guidance and information regarding the Aliyah process, as well as general assistance for members of the Jewish community in Ukraine.

 

Ukrainian immigration measures

This page on the Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website has links to provincial/territorial information and to the Welcome Package

Canadian Red Cross Welcome package

There is a lot to remember when people first arrive in Canada. This Welcome Guide includes some early things people will need. Click on the welcome package link, and select the langue you prefer.

Apply for OHIP

The Ontario Health Insurance Plan (OHIP) pays for many health services. Use this link to apply for OHIP and to get a health card. ***There is no longer a waiting period for OHIP coverage. If you are eligible, you will have immediate health insurance coverage. Find out if you qualify.

Job support

Employment Ontario helps workers and employers with advice, grants and other services around public and private sector employment. **Use this link to help you find a job. Additionally, you may find the  Ontario Bridge Training Program for internationally-trained immigrants valuable.