Canada has officially extended certain temporary immigration measures for Ukrainians currently in the country under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program and related mechanisms. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced this in an official news release on March 31, 2026.
Who Can Apply for a Work Permit Extension
According to the update, Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada by March 31, 2024, will be able to apply for an extension of their open work permit. This also applies to CUAET holders who were unable to arrive by March 31, 2024, due to a delay in the decision but had an entry permit valid until December 31, 2024.
A new deadline has been set for this category: applications for a work permit extension can be submitted until March 31, 2027. Extensions may be granted for up to three years.
What has changed as of April 1, 2026
The official IRCC website also clarifies that as of April 1, 2026, the special measures for Ukrainians have been modified. Specifically, the special option to apply for a new open work permit from within Canada has ended.
Now, the focus is specifically on renewing an existing open work permit issued under the special policy for Ukrainians and their family members.
What about other temporary statuses
At the same time, IRCC specifically notes that those in Canada as visitors, study permit holders, or temporary resident permit holders can renew their status only through standard procedures.
Standard fees apply to such applications; that is, the new announcement does not provide for a separate, fee-waived special process for these categories.
Temporary nature of the measures
The Canadian government emphasizes that these measures remain temporary. The official statement notes that they allow Ukrainians and their families to continue working in Canada, while acknowledging that many may eventually return home to help rebuild Ukraine.
What about CUAET and PR applications
Separately, the Canada.ca website notes that although the CUAET program ended on July 15, 2023, Canada continues to support two categories of people: those who hold a valid open work permit issued under the special policy for Ukrainians, and those awaiting a decision on their application for the pathway to permanent residence for Ukrainians with relatives in Canada.
If an application for this PR pathway was submitted before it closed on October 22, 2024, it will continue to be processed.
What does this update mean in practice
In essence, the new update means that some Ukrainians in Canada have been granted additional time to maintain their right to work legally. However, this is not a new program nor the opening of a new pathway to PR.
It specifically refers to the extension of certain temporary rules for those who already meet the specific conditions set by IRCC.