A few dresses and an extra pair of boots are among the few items Svitlana Trofymchuk had packed in a suitcase for her month-long trip from Kyiv to Toronto.
The 49-year-old Ukrainian businesswoman used to study English in Canada and was planning to visit some of the friends she made.
But Trofymchuk had no idea when she left on Feb. 16 that her city would come under attack, and that she would be unable to return safely.
"I don't want to be [a] refugee because I hope my country will be free," said Trofymchuk.
"But I can't go back to my home."
A firefighter walks outside a destroyed apartment building after a bombing in a residential area in Kyiv on March 15, 2022. (Vadim Ghirda/The Associated Press)
As the invasion of Ukraine intensifies, Trofymchuk is now in a challenging situation. She can't return to Kyiv and continue to run her small business and she can't work in Canada because she is on a visitor visa.
Immigration lawyers say they've been fielding calls and messages both from Ukrainians still inside the country and those who here who are uncertain about what to do. Earlier this month, the federal government unveiled a series of programs to help people fleeing the violence, but many specifics haven't been released.
Waiting game
Trofymchuk booked an Airbnb in Toronto until March 27 — the date she was set to fly back. After that, she's not sure what to do.
"I don't have more money because my business is still in Kyiv," said Trofymchuk, who ran a women's social club in Ukraine.
"I want to work [here] but I can't … it's not possible to earn money and now I need to understand how I will live."
In Kyiv, Svitlana Trofymchuk, centre, ran a business that organized social gatherings and outings for women. (Submitted by Svitlana Trofymchuk)
Trofymchuk has been in touch with various groups in Toronto, who are helping her understand how to apply for a work permit.
She's also worried about her elderly parents who live in a village in western Ukraine. Not only does she fear for their safety, she doesn't know how she can continue to support them financially.
Government measures
Last month, the federal government said it would prioritize permanent residency applications already in place for those who want to come to Canada permanently. For those wanting to come on a temporary basis, the immigration minister announced an emergency travel authorization for Ukrainians which eliminates many of the normal visa requirements for those entering the country.
The new visa category will allow an unlimited number of Ukrainians to live, work or study in Canada for up to two years.
It also says a family sponsorship program will be introduced.
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