Canada Updates Support for Ukrainians Post-CUAET — June 2026

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Canada continues supporting Ukrainian nationals and their families through an extended temporary public policy that provides facilitated access to work permits, study permits, and permit extensions. This policy helps thousands of Ukrainians who sought temporary safe haven in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel measures.

The new temporary public policy came into effect April 1, 2025, and expires March 31, 2026. It applies to applications received on or after April 1, 2025, and applications that were pending on that date. The policy specifically targets Ukrainian nationals who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, under the original CUAET measures.

Most CUAET measures concluded on March 31, 2024, but this extended policy ensures continued support for Ukrainians already in Canada while the war in Ukraine remains ongoing. Standard application and biometric fees now apply, marking a shift from the previous fee-waived approach.

✅ Eligibility Requirements

You must meet specific criteria to qualify for support under this extended policy. First, you must be a Ukrainian national or a foreign national family member of a Ukrainian national. The family member definition follows subsection 1(3) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

You need to hold a temporary resident visa or temporary resident permit that was issued under one of two specific public policies: the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of CUAET, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew CUAET from April 1, 2023.

Your arrival date is crucial. You must have arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024. Additionally, you need valid temporary resident status at the time of application. You cannot apply for these measures at a port of entry - applications must be submitted from within Canada.

The family member definition includes your spouse or common-law partner, dependent children under 22 who are unmarried, and dependent children 22 or older who cannot financially support themselves due to physical or mental conditions. Grandchildren of Ukrainian nationals also qualify as family members under this policy.

To maintain valid temporary resident status, you must be physically present in Canada when applying and when a decision is made. You need authorization to enter as a temporary resident under section 22 or 24 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. You must be within your authorized stay period or have maintained status under regulation 183(5).

Work Permit Access and Extensions

The policy provides facilitated access to open work permits and work permit extensions for eligible Ukrainian nationals. If you were provisionally approved for a work permit with your CUAET visa, you remain eligible to have it finalized and issued, provided your letter of introduction stays valid.

Work permits issued under this policy can have validity up to three years or until passport validity, whichever comes first. Officers use specific coding in the Global Case Management System, including Case Type 20, LMIA Exemption code R01, and the employer field marked as "Open" with NOC code 99999.

If you haven't completed a medical examination, conditions apply to your work permit. For non-designated countries, you cannot work in childcare, primary or secondary school teaching, or health services field occupations. For designated countries, agricultural occupations are also restricted.

The special program code UAC3 and visible remark "CUAET/AVUCU" must appear on your open work permit to access in-Canada supports like provincial or territorial health care. This coding ensures you receive appropriate recognition for your CUAET status.

Biometric requirements remain standard for work permit applications, with regular exemptions applying based on age or previous biometric submissions. Standard biometric fees apply unless you meet specific exemption criteria outlined in IRCC fee schedules.

Study Permit Facilitation

Eligible Ukrainian nationals receive facilitated access to initial study permits from within Canada under this policy. This represents significant support since temporary residents typically cannot apply for study permits while in Canada without meeting specific exceptions.

You are exempt from the cap on study permit applications and do not need a provincial attestation letter from your intended province or territory of study. This exemption stems from the public policy framework addressing migration responses to crisis situations.

Your study permit validity connects to your specified period of study and passport validity. You must still submit applications following standard study permit application procedures and meet other standard eligibility requirements not exempted under these special measures.

The exemption from provincial attestation letters removes a significant barrier that affects most international students. This streamlined process acknowledges the unique circumstances Ukrainian nationals face while ensuring they can pursue education in Canada without additional bureaucratic delays.

Standard admissibility requirements still apply to your study permit application. Officers evaluate applications according to regular processing standards while providing the facilitated access benefits outlined in this temporary public policy.

💰 Fees and Financial Requirements

A key change from previous CUAET measures is the introduction of standard application and biometric fees. Applications under this extended policy are now subject to regular IRCC fee schedules, marking a transition from the fee-waived environment of the original CUAET program.

However, important exceptions exist for specific situations. If you were provisionally approved for a work permit with your original CUAET visa and your letter of introduction remains valid, fees continue to be waived using exemption codes 999 for initial work permits and P03 for open work permit holder fees.

For applications received between April 1, 2024, and August 13, 2024, that were missing required fees, officers provide opportunities to submit fees before returning applications as incomplete. This grace period recognized the transition period as fee requirements were implemented.

Special Circumstances and Challenges

IRCC recognizes specific challenges Ukrainian nationals face, particularly regarding passport renewals. The department acknowledges difficulties and delays Ukrainians experience renewing their passports while abroad during wartime conditions.

Officers can accept written explanations if you cannot renew your passport before your current visitor record, work permit, or study permit expires. You can provide a copy of your expired passport along with a letter explaining that you have applied for passport renewal and will submit the new document when received.

If you leave Canada while your application is pending, you must return and have valid temporary resident status when the decision is made to benefit from this policy. Departing Canada results in losing temporary resident status according to section 47(a) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act and subsection 183(4)(a) of the regulations.

Officers may consult the Entry/Exit Program to verify your presence in Canada. If records show you have left Canada, officers will request proof of your current status in Canada before making final decisions on your application.

Restoration of temporary resident status remains available if you are eligible. You can apply to restore status simultaneously with your application under these measures, but officers must decide on restoration applications first before processing other benefits.

Sources: Government of Canada (canada.ca), IRCC Help Centre, Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. Last verified: December 20, 2026. This article is general information, not legal advice — consult IRCC or a qualified legal aid service for guidance on your specific situation.

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