Are there any restrictions on the length of stay in Canada under this program?

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program was created as an emergency humanitarian response to the challenges faced by Ukrainian citizens following the full-scale invasion by the Russian Federation. The main goal was to provide quick and free access to safe haven in Canada, as well as the right to work and study without having to go through the usual immigration procedures. However, like any immigration initiative, this program has certain restrictions on the maximum length of stay, which may affect family reunification plans and long-term planning.

Under the general rules, the CUAET provides for the issuance of a Temporary Resident Visa (TRV) with open work and study permits, which can be valid for up to three years from the date of entry into Canada. The standard duration of a regular visitor visa in Canada is six months, but thanks to CUAET, this period has been extended to give refugees from Ukraine enough time to recover and adapt. Thus, under ideal conditions, program participants can stay in Canada for up to three years, but this period may vary depending on a number of factors.

Entry and application deadlines

A key restriction is the date of last entry into Canada:

  • March 31, 2024 — the last day CUAET participants could enter Canada under their initial authorization.

  • July 15, 2023 — the last day to submit an initial application to participate in the program.

  • For those who entered before March 31, 2024, benefits continue until March 31, 2026 — this means the right to apply for an extension or change of status within the country until that date.

Even if you are issued a three-year visa, it will be conditional on this entry period. After March 31, 2024, new applications for CUAET were not and are not accepted, regardless of the circumstances.

Status extension

To stay in Canada beyond the initial period, you must apply for a change of conditions or extension of stay using form IMM 5710 in a timely manner. It is best to do this a few months before your current permit expires.

  • If your three-year status expires at the end of 2025, apply at the beginning of 2025.

  • While your extension is being processed, you will remain in the country under the same conditions, even if your initial permit has expired.

Special conditions and TRP

Participants with medical risks or a criminal history may receive a Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) instead of a regular CUAET permit. A TRP is usually shorter in duration — from a few months to one year — and imposes stricter conditions on stay and work. A TRP can only be extended for compelling reasons.

Factors affecting the length of stay

  1. Date of entry: entry must have taken place before the end of March 2024.

  2. Timeliness of renewal: timely submission of IMM 5710 guarantees continuity of status.

  3. No violations: Any violations of immigration conditions (working without permission, exceeding the term) may result in the cancellation of status.

  4. Inadmissibility conditions: Individuals with a dangerous past may only receive a TRP with a shorter term.

After the CUAET expires

After the three-year term or the end of the CUAET program's grace periods, it is necessary to transition to other immigration pathways:

  • Express Entry — for skilled workers

  • Provincial Nominee Programs — for specialists in regional industries

  • Family reunification program — for reuniting with relatives who are already permanent residents or citizens of Canada

These programs require separate applications, fees, and compliance with their own requirements, so the CUAET should be viewed as a transitional, stabilization phase rather than a direct path to permanent residence.

Conclusion

Although three-month stays on a standard tourist visa in Canada are limited to six months, CUAET makes a significant exception, allowing stays of up to three years under the following conditions:

  • entry before March 31, 2024

  • timely submission of applications for extension by March 31, 2026

  • no violations of immigration law

After this period ends, you must choose other immigration programs to obtain permanent status. Compliance with deadlines and conditions is critical to maintaining legal residence and planning your future in Canada.