IRCC has officially launched a new temporary public policy that allows certain Ukrainians in Canada to extend their open work permit for up to three years. The policy took effect on April 1, 2026 and will remain in effect until March 31, 2027. Applications can only be submitted during this time period.
However, it is important to understand: this is not a general extension of status for all Ukrainians, nor is it a universal “automatic extension.” The new special measures specifically concern the extension of open work permits for those who already hold a valid work permit issued under one of the previous Ukrainian public policies. For visitor records, study permits, and temporary resident permits, IRCC explicitly outlines a different path: renewal through standard, regular procedures.
One of the most important details is that you can apply for these new special measures only once. This is explicitly stated both on the IRCC page for applicants and in the policy itself: the applicant must not have previously received an exception under this policy. In other words, a second such extension under this specific program is not provided for.
Another critical point is your physical status in Canada. IRCC requires that the person have valid temporary status and be in Canada at the time of application and at the time the decision is made. This is a key technical requirement. Formally, the policy text does not state that traveling abroad is strictly prohibited, but this requirement implies an obvious practical risk: if the applicant is not in Canada at the required time, this may affect compliance with the policy conditions.
Categories of Applicants by Date of Arrival
Separately, IRCC divides applicants into two categories based on their date of arrival in Canada.
First category
The first category consists of those who arrived in Canada no later than March 31, 2024. For them, the basic requirements are as follows: a valid temporary status, a valid open work permit issued under one of the previous Ukrainian public policies, and submission from within Canada.
Second Category
The second category consists of people who arrived in Canada no later than December 31, 2024, but a stricter condition applies here. For this group, simply arriving by this date is not enough. Their valid work permit must have been issued specifically under one of two special policies for those whose CUAET applications were pending as of February 4, 2024. That is why the date of entry alone does not guarantee the right to an extension: the specific policy under which the current work permit was issued is also decisive.
Important clarification regarding new applications
At the same time, IRCC specifically notes that special measures for applying for a new open work permit from within Canada have ended. In other words, this is no longer about new permits for a broad range of individuals, but specifically about renewing an existing open work permit for those who meet the conditions of the new policy.
Practical details
Another practical detail: the permit may be issued for up to three years, but IRCC warns that the permit’s validity cannot exceed the expiration date of the passport or biometrics. If these documents expire earlier, the permit may be issued for a shorter period.
It is also important to note that standard fees apply. According to IRCC, this includes the standard fee for a work permit, the open work permit fee, and, if necessary, the biometrics fee.
What this means in practice
The new policy does not mean automatic renewal for all Ukrainians in Canada. Several technical criteria are relevant:
- when exactly you arrived in Canada;
- what kind of open work permit you currently hold;
- under which public policy it was issued;
- whether you have valid temporary status;
- whether you will be in Canada at the time of application;
- whether you will be in Canada at the time of the decision.
Therefore, the main conclusion is simple: if you currently do not have a visitor record or a study permit, but rather a valid open work permit issued under the special measures for Ukrainians, you should check not only your date of arrival but also the legal basis for the issuance of your current permit. This detail could be the deciding factor.