What rights does a temporary protection visa grant?
A temporary protection visa for Ukrainians in Calgary is primarily the status of a Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) holder. It grants a number of important rights that support integration, safety, and self-fulfillment in Canada. All these benefits are valid in the province of Alberta, including Calgary. Here is a detailed list of the main rights and opportunities for Ukrainians with this visa:
Right to legal stay and entry/exit
The main advantage of the CUAET is long-term legal stay. Instead of the standard 6 months for temporary visas, Ukrainians can stay in Canada for up to 3 years with the right to multiple entries and exits. If necessary, the status can be extended until March 31, 2026, following standard procedures. This flexibility allows you to plan your career, education, and life without the risk of immediate return.
Right to open work
CUAET status entitles you to an Open Work Permit. This means you can officially work for any company or institution in Calgary and anywhere in Canada, and change your place of work and field of work without additional permits. Until January 2025, renewals and applications were free of charge, but standard fees now apply. CUAET holders can accumulate work experience that counts toward permanent immigration.
Right to education
Children with CUAET receive free primary and secondary education in public (public or Catholic) schools in Calgary or Alberta. Adults can apply for a student permit to enroll in Canadian colleges, universities, or courses. You can apply for or change your status from working to student online, without having to leave the country.
Access to language, professional, and social integration
All Ukrainians with CUAET have free access to English/French courses, adaptation programs, employment and career counseling, resume writing, and interview preparation. Professional community organizations in Calgary actively assist in integrating newcomers into the economic and social life of the city.
Social and financial benefits
Upon arrival, Ukrainians with CUAET received one-time financial assistance — CAD 3,000 for adults and CAD 1,500 per child (amounts and rules may vary over time). Alberta had targeted support programs for evacuees: subsidies for housing, food, and childcare, child assistance, and special educational and integration benefits. You can also apply for Alberta social programs if you meet the income criteria.
Access to healthcare
In Alberta, temporary residents with CUAET who have a visa, work or study permit and intend to stay for more than a year are eligible for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan (AHCIP), which provides free access to a family doctor, hospitalization, and basic medical services. It is advisable to have private insurance until you are fully registered.
Financial and banking services, government services
CUAET status allows you to open bank accounts, obtain a Social Insurance Number (SIN) for work, apply for tax refunds, rental assistance, public subsidies, and use transportation and other municipal services.
Priority consideration and dedicated IRCC support line
Applications under the CUAET (visas, work and study permits, their renewal, biometrics) are given priority consideration. In 2022–2024, most services were free of charge, and a special IRCC information line was available for consultations and resolving individual issues.
Opportunity to apply for permanent status
The CUAET does not automatically grant permanent residence, but holders are fully eligible to apply for Express Entry, Alberta provincial programs, family sponsorship, and use their Canadian experience for future legal immigration.
Right to leave and return
During the validity of their visa or permit, Ukrainians can travel abroad and return to Canada within a specified period without risking losing their status.
Other important rights and guarantees
- Labor rights: protection from exploitation, discrimination, and safe working conditions.
- Educational rights: access to public schools, free language and vocational education.
- Benefits for newcomers: a range of programs from the city/province.
- No COVID-19 vaccination requirement for entry.
- Free or subsidized legal assistance for immigration, employment, education, and family issues.
Summary
The temporary protection visa (CUAET) in Calgary has opened up a wide range of rights for Ukrainians: to stay in the country without the threat of deportation and depression, to work, study, live without restrictions, use social and medical services, build a career, and see real prospects, regardless of events in their homeland. The uniqueness of the CUAET lies in its combination of a quick procedure, real opportunities, and flexible adaptation to people's needs. These rights have become a beacon for thousands of families who have chosen a new home in Calgary and Alberta.