One of the most important questions for Ukrainian families planning to come to Canada under the CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program concerns their children. Many parents, especially those who are not familiar with the Canadian immigration system, naturally want to know if they can simply add their children to their authorization or if each child requires a separate visa and a separate application process. This question arises for both young children and older adult children who are still dependent on their parents. Understanding these requirements is critical because filing an application incorrectly for children can lead to serious complications that may prevent them from entering Canada or obtaining the correct immigration status. In this article, we will take a detailed look at all aspects of how children can come to Canada with their parents under the CUAET program, what permits they need, how to apply, and what rights and benefits they have in Edmonton and Alberta as a whole.
The short answer: yes, children need separate visas and their own applications
Absolutely, every child needs their own separate visa and their own separate CUAET application. This is one of the most important points to understand. Unlike some other immigration systems, where children can be added to their parents' application, the Canadian CUAET system requires each family member, including children of any age, to submit their own application and obtain their own permit. This means that if you have two children, you need to submit three separate applications—one for yourself and one for each child. If you have three children, you need four applications.
However, it is important to understand that although the applications are separate, the application process can be simplified and made more efficient. When you apply for CUAET through the IRCC portal, you can submit all applications together in one package. This means that you can fill in all the necessary information for your entire family in one session and receive a single reference number to track the status of your application. In addition, although you are formally required to pay a fee for each application (although from March 2022 to December 2024, these fees were waived for CUAET), you can use one payment check for the entire family. This provides you with some convenience and simplification in the application process.
Definition of a dependent child under CUAET: who Canada considers a dependent child
Before you begin to understand the application process, it is important to know exactly who Canadian law considers a dependent child who can come to Canada with their parents. This definition is critical because it affects who can apply and what rights and benefits they will have.
A dependent child under CUAET is defined as a person who meets both of the following criteria: first, they must be under 22 years of age on the date of application; second, they must not have a spouse or common-law partner. This means that even if a child is not officially married but lives with their partner in a common-law relationship, they will not be considered a dependent child. It is important to note that this criterion is assessed on the date of application. If a child is under 22 years of age at the time of application and does not have a partner, but then reaches 22 years of age or marries during the processing of the application, they will not lose their status as a dependent child. This is called “age lock-in” and means that Canadian immigration services have frozen the child's age on the date of application, and subsequent changes do not affect their status.
The definition of a dependent child includes biological children, adopted children, and stepchildren of the father or mother. In addition, the CUAET program also allows for the inclusion of dependent children of a dependent child — in other words, grandchildren. This means that a grandmother or grandfather who comes to Canada with one of their children and that child's grandchild can apply for all three if they meet the criteria.
Unlike permanent residence programs, where a dependent child must demonstrate financial dependence on the parent, there is no such requirement under CUAET. Canadian authorities understand that in the context of the armed conflict in Ukraine, all children who are with their parents are dependent and in need of protection, regardless of whether they are financially dependent on their parent or not. That is why the application process for children under the CUAET is simpler compared to other programs.
Application process for children: step-by-step guide
The application process for a child under the CUAET is largely similar to the application process for an adult, but with some specific features that you need to be aware of. First, the parent must complete IMM 0104 (Application for Temporary Resident Visa for Family Members of Ukrainian Nationals) for each child. This application can be completed online through the IRCC portal or printed and completed by hand if the parent prefers this method.
The application must clearly state that the child is a dependent child of the parent or parents coming to Canada under the CUAET. To do this, you must provide documents proving this family relationship. Such documents may include the child's birth certificate, copies of both parents' and the child's passports, and sometimes other documents proving the family relationship. If the child is adopted, adoption documents are required. If the child is a stepchild, documents showing the parent's marriage and their status as the parent of that child are required.
The application must be completed fully and accurately. When asked about the purpose of the stay in Canada, the parent must select “Visit” for the child if they do not plan to work or study, or select the appropriate option if the child wants to work or study (for example, if it is an older child who wants to start working). It is important to complete this part of the application correctly, as an error could lead to delays or rejection.
When you apply through the IRCC portal, you have the option to add all family members to one joint application. To do this, you must designate yourself as the principal applicant and then add your children as dependents. The portal allows you to keep all applications together and submit them at the same time. When you submit your applications, you are given a unique reference number that allows you to track the processing status of all applications together. This is very convenient because parents can easily check the processing status for the whole family in one place.
It is important to note that when you submit applications for the entire family together, the processing time is calculated for the latest applications. This means that if the parent's application is processed in two weeks, but the child's application requires more time, the entire family will wait for the decision for the longest time. The same applies when applying for an extension or change of status — the decision is issued for the whole family, not for individual members.
Documents required for children: complete list
To apply for a CUAET for a child, you need a specific set of documents, which are similar to those required for an adult, but with some differences and additions. First, you need a valid passport for the child or any other valid travel document, such as an identity card. If the child is very young and does not have their own passport, but their details are included in their parent's passport (as is often the case in Ukraine and some other countries), this parental passport can be used as proof of the child's identity. However, to enter Canada, the child actually needs their own separate travel document, so if the child is listed in their parent's passport, you will need to obtain a separate passport for the child before applying.
In addition to a passport, you will need a copy of the child's birth certificate, which shows the name of the father or mother and proves the blood relationship. This document must be reliably copied and translated into English if it is written in Ukrainian. In addition, copies of the father's or mother's passports are required to show that they are relatives of the child. If the father and mother are different, both must be mentioned in the documents and have written consent for the child to travel to Canada.
If the child is over 16 years of age, they must provide their own autobiographical declaration (Personal History form), explaining their reasons for entering Canada and their plans for staying there. This is necessary because Canada considers people over 16 years of age to be mature enough to understand the reasons for their travel. The child must write this declaration in their own handwriting and sign it.
All children are required to provide biometric data, including fingerprints and a photograph. However, children under the age of 14 can have their fingerprints and photograph taken together with their parent upon entry into Canada, rather than having to do so before submitting their application. This simplification is especially helpful for young children who are unable to visit a Canadian consulate to provide biometrics.
School placement and educational rights for children in Edmonton
One of the most important rights that Ukrainian children have under the CUAET in Edmonton is the right to free education in public schools. This right is guaranteed for all children, regardless of their immigration status, as long as they are dependents in Canada. Children can start school immediately upon arrival in Canada, without the need for a special study permit. For children under the age of 12, this means that they can start attending public school without any formal procedures—they simply need to register at their local school.
In Edmonton, the education system is managed by Edmonton Public Schools and Edmonton Catholic Schools. Both systems accept immigrant children and provide programs for children whose first language is not English. These programs are called ESL (English as a Second Language) and provide extra support for kids who need help learning English. In addition, some schools in Edmonton offer French immersion programs, where kids are taught partly in French, although most immigrant kids attend standard English schools.
For children over the age of 12 who want to continue their education, they can also attend school without a special study permit, but the process can be a little more complicated. Children between the ages of 12 and 17 need a study permit if they want to attend a private school or higher education institution (college or university). Study permits are issued free of charge for children under CUAET who arrived in Canada before March 31, 2024, but children who arrived after that date must pay the standard study permit fee. Study permits are issued for the entire period of the child's studies and can be renewed on a case-by-case basis.
Registering a child for school in Edmonton is quite simple. Parents must contact the school closest to their home and fill out a registration form. Documents such as the child's birth certificate, a copy of their passport, or a document proving their immigration status in Canada are required. The school will also ask for the parents' contact information and residential address. It is important to note that a Social Insurance Number (SIN) is not required for registration, although parents should obtain a SIN for their children as soon as possible, as it is required for employment, banking, and other procedures.
Financial benefits for children under CUAET: one-time payments and assistance
One of the biggest benefits of the CUAET program for children is the financial assistance provided by the Canadian government for children who have arrived in Canada under this program. The Canadian government has established a special one-time payment for all Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under CUAET before March 31, 2024. For adults, this payment is three thousand Canadian dollars, and for children, one thousand five hundred Canadian dollars. This means that a family with two children will receive a total of eight thousand dollars as a one-time payment, which is significant financial assistance for a new start in Canada.
To receive this assistance, parents must apply for payment through the IRCC portal or at a Service Canada office. To do so, parents must provide documents proving the children's presence in Canada and their status as dependent children of the father or mother. Documents must include a copy of the child's permission to stay in Canada (e.g., visitor status certificate or work permit) and a copy of the parent's permission showing the family relationship. The payment is usually made by direct transfer to the parent's bank account within a few weeks of submitting the application.
In addition to the one-time payment, children may also be eligible for other benefits depending on the province. In Alberta, children under CUAET who arrived in Canada before March 31, 2024, are provided with free coverage in public schools and some basic medical care. In some provinces, such as Ontario, children also have access to the OHIP+ (Ontario Health Insurance Plan Plus) program, which covers the cost of medications for children and youth up to age 24. A similar program may exist in Alberta, although details vary by province.
It is important to understand that children may also be eligible under Canadian law for the Canada Child Benefit, which is a monthly payment given by the federal government to families for each child under the age of 18. However, children under CUAET who arrived in Canada before March 31, 2024, are not eligible for this benefit immediately upon arrival. They can only become eligible after living in Canada as temporary residents for 18 months. This means that a child who arrived in March 2024 could become eligible for the Canada Child Benefit in September 2025. Once the child becomes eligible, parents must apply for the benefit through the CRA (Canada Revenue Agency) portal.
Medical Care and Health for Children under CUAET
Children under CUAET are eligible for medical care in Alberta through Alberta Health Services. To do so, children must be registered with the provincial health care system. The registration process begins with obtaining a file for the child at the local health services office. Parents must bring documents proving the child's identity, address in Alberta, and temporary resident status in Canada. After registration, the child is issued a health insurance number, which can be used to pay for all types of medical care in Alberta.
It is important to understand that public health care in Canada covers doctor visits, tests, and some procedures, but does not cover medication, dental services, or eye care. For these services, parents must purchase private insurance or pay out of pocket. Some employers provide private health insurance to their employees that covers these services. In addition, the Alberta government offers some free services for children, such as vaccinations, dental checkups at a young age, and some other preventive services.
Work permits for older children: what children can do
For children over 16 who want to work in Canada, the process of obtaining a work permit depends on the type of work and the child's status. If a child arrived in Canada under the CUAET as a dependent child and is designated as a “visitor,” they do not have the automatic right to work as Ukrainian adults do. However, the child can apply separately for a work permit as an adult. For children who arrived in Canada before March 31, 2024, such a work permit is issued free of charge and is processed on a priority basis.
It is important to understand that children under the age of 18 are allowed to work in Canada, but there are restrictions on the number of hours, types of work, and working conditions. Children under the age of 16 are only allowed to work in safe conditions and in specific types of work, such as decorating for the holidays or delivering newspapers. Children between the ages of 16 and 18 are allowed to work in more types of jobs, but not more than a certain number of hours per day and per week during the school year. In addition, some types of work, such as working in hazardous conditions, working with heavy machinery, and some others, are prohibited for children regardless of their age.
If a child wants to work while attending school, they can do so as long as they do not exceed a certain number of hours per week and alternate between work and school. Some schools in Edmonton have programs that allow students to work part-time while attending school part-time. This allows children to earn money while still receiving an education.
Extension and change of status process for children
When a child's permission to stay in Canada expires, parents must apply for an extension or change of status for the child. For children who arrived in Canada under CUAET before March 31, 2024, and whose permits expire before March 31, 2026, they are eligible to apply for an extension or change of status under the CUAET special measures without paying the standard fees (although from December 2024, the standard fees will apply). The process for applying for an extension for a child is similar to the process for an adult.
Parents must submit a separate application for an extension for each child using form IMM 5710 or a similar form, depending on the type of extension. The application must be submitted before the child's current permit expires so that the child can obtain “maintained status” and not lose their legal status in Canada. If the child's permit expires and an extension application has not been submitted, the child will lose their status and become an illegal resident of Canada, which can lead to serious problems.
Problems and challenges for families with children
One of the biggest problems for families with children coming to Canada under the CUAET is delays in processing documents and different processing times for different family members. When parents apply for themselves and their children, the decision is issued for the entire family at the same time, but sometimes the reasons for delays can vary for different family members. For example, if a parent has security clearance issues, the entire process is delayed, even if the child's application should have been processed more quickly.
Another problem is insufficient documentation. Parents often do not know what documents IRCC requires and submit incomplete applications. This leads to delays because IRCC sends a request for additional documents, and parents have to wait for this request to be processed. It is recommended that you check the official IRCC website to see what documents your application requires and prepare everything you need before submitting.
The third problem is language barriers. Many children come to Canada without knowing English, and even schools can sometimes be demanding in terms of language training. However, schools in Edmonton are well equipped to work with immigrant children and provide substantial support.
Conclusion: Children as an important part of the family under CUAET
So, yes, each child needs a separate visa and a separate CUAET application. This may seem like a complicated process, but in fact, the Canadian system tries to simplify it by allowing parents to apply for the whole family together and receive one decision for everyone. It is important to understand the definition of a dependent child, the application process, the required documents, the rights to education and medical care, and the process of extending status for children.
Children are granted significant rights under the CUAET, including the right to free education, health care, one-time financial payments, and the opportunity to work (for older children). In Edmonton, with its well-developed education system and numerous resources for immigrants, children have good opportunities for successful integration and learning. The most important thing for parents is to fill out the applications for their children correctly, provide all the necessary documents, and meet the deadlines for submitting and extending permits. With the right approach, children can successfully come to Canada with their parents and start a new life in this country.