Alberta man helping relatives from Ukraine frustrated with Canadian program red tape

Some folks making an attempt to flee Ukraine are dealing with hurdles.

Canada just lately streamlined the immigration course of for Ukrainian refugees. However the necessities that stay are making it exhausting for some Edmonton-area households to carry their family members right here.

Ever since Dwayne Kisilevich’s family members fled Ukraine, the Vegreville man has been making an attempt to get them to Canada.

“I’m afraid for the lives of my kids. I believe they are going to be protected in Canada,” one among Kisilevich’s cousins, Kateryna Furyk, mentioned whereas they spoke over Fb Messenger.

“Three girls and 7 kids left Ukraine on the twenty sixth, they received to Poland. I occur to speak to my cousins, that are males. They aren’t allowed to go away, after all. He requested if we are able to get some assist to get his household to Canada to get by means of the struggle,” Dwayne Kisilevich mentioned.

Kisilevich mentioned he was inspired by current modifications to a federal authorities program. It was speculated to make it simpler to get his household right here.

However after beginning the applying course of, they hit a giant barrier.

“They are saying you’ve received to maintain making an attempt. Final evening, stored making an attempt, you then get kicked out of the system,” Kisilevich mentioned.

His drawback centres on fingerprint and photograph necessities. They’re nonetheless mandatory even within the streamlined course of and reserving an appointment is proving troublesome.

“I attempted since Saturday morning till Tuesday night, I made 47 makes an attempt (and) couldn’t get in,” Kisilevich mentioned.

In a press release, VFS World, the corporate chargeable for biometrics, wrote: “Because of the present scenario in Ukraine, a few of our Visa Software Centres (VACs) are experiencing increased volumes than typical. VFS World has taken proactive measures in session with the Canadian authorities (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, IRCC) to handle the surge in Canada visa functions from Ukraine at our VACs in Europe.”

The assertion mentioned clients can book appointments at any VAC on VFS Global’s website.

“Presently, there isn’t any problem with the appointment administration system and our IT groups are working 24/7 to make sure the web site is operating easily.”

The corporate mentioned an inflow in visa software volumes has led to longer name wait instances.

“Nevertheless, our name centres are intently monitoring the scenario and apprising native operations to open extra appointment slots the place required. Our world name centre is recruiting extra Ukrainian-speaking assets to handle increased calls/e-mail volumes whereas our name centres in India and Mexico present assist to the VACs in Europe.”

Biometrics, the corporate mentioned, are taken by following directions from the Canadian authorities.

“Shoppers submit their functions on-line and are directed to the VAC community in Europe to assist them with software, biometrics and passport submissions.  Capability on the VACs is being intently monitored and extra IRCC employees have been deployed to the area as surge assist ought to VACs attain capability.”

Its visa software centres have been instructed to prioritize residents of Ukraine, the corporate mentioned, “together with reserving emergency same-day appointments and taking biometrics with out an official appointment.

“Along with our pre-existing VAC community, we’ve got been working to arrange extra biometrics assortment areas and elevated capability at current ones as demand requires,” the assertion continued.

An Edmonton immigration practitioner mentioned getting a appointment for biometrics has been the case for many individuals making an attempt to get to Canada.

“There’s a small share of people who find themselves benefiting of the quick processing however for almost all of people that utilized for the primary time, it’s very sophisticated it is rather demanding,” Bohdana Stepanenko-Lypovyk mentioned.

Stepanenko-lypovyk mentioned many individuals in Ukraine are actually dealing with elevated prices of residing and flights to Canada are additionally up, making it much more troublesome to get out.

And it’s demanding for these hoping the necessity for fingerprints and photos received’t make their family members’ ordeal much more chaotic.

Kisilevich mentioned he hopes the hopes the federal government will make modifications to the biometrics necessities and quick.

“I actually don’t suppose there are going to make it right here,” Kisilevich mentioned.

Whereas many Albertans wrestle to assist their family members, Stepanenko-Lypovyk is encouraging folks to maintain calling and making use of till they join, regardless of how irritating the wait could also be.