Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released a new program delivery update for Ukraine, effective January 28, 2026. These changes mainly affect how officers process applications connected to the now‑closed Canada‑Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) and how they apply the newer post‑CUAET measures for Ukrainians and their family members.
What IRCC changed on January 28, 2026
IRCC has refreshed the “Ukraine: Program delivery instructions” section to remove outdated content and direct officers to a central post‑CUAET guidance page called “Measures to support Ukrainians and their family members – post CUAET.” This is meant to simplify how officers find up‑to‑date rules when they assess Ukrainian applicants under regular temporary resident and ongoing special measures.
Several Ukraine‑specific sub‑pages have been deleted, including program‑specific special measures and CUAET pages for in‑Canada TRVs, open work permits, study permits, and general processing guidance. While those links are being retired, IRCC notes that the underlying information remains accessible where needed to finalize any applications that were properly submitted while the public policies were still in effect.
Reminder: CUAET timelines and who is still affected
The Canada‑Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) launched in March 2022 as a temporary emergency pathway allowing Ukrainians and their families to apply for fee‑exempt multiple‑entry TRVs, work permits, and study permits to stay in Canada until it was safe to return home. Overseas intake for CUAET TRVs closed on July 15, 2023, but IRCC continues to process all applications received on or before that date.
CUAET visa holders had until March 31, 2024, to travel to Canada and benefit from related supports like transitional financial assistance and temporary accommodations, and could extend or adjust their temporary status through special measures free of charge until that same date. Access to in‑Canada settlement services for Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members continues until March 31, 2025, even though the special CUAET intake has ended.
Post‑CUAET options for Ukrainians
After July 15, 2023, Ukrainians applying from abroad must use regular temporary resident programs (standard TRVs, work permits, and study permits), which are subject to normal fees and requirements. At the same time, IRCC has introduced new post‑CUAET measures, including a family‑reunification permanent residence pathway and temporary public policies allowing certain Ukrainians in Canada to maintain or extend their temporary status while waiting for a decision on permanent residence.
IRCC’s updated program delivery instructions now steer officers toward these post‑CUAET tools and away from the old CUAET‑only pages when processing current applications. For applicants and representatives, the key practical takeaway is that most new applications will be handled under regular immigration programs plus narrowly defined special measures, rather than the broad emergency framework that existed under CUAET.
Key points for your readers
- CUAET intake is closed, but all applications filed on or before July 15, 2023, will still be processed.
- Old CUAET program‑specific instruction pages have been deleted or archived; officers are now directed to the main Ukraine program delivery page and the post‑CUAET measures page instead.
- Ukrainians abroad must generally apply through regular TRV, work permit, or study permit streams and pay standard fees.
- Ukrainians already in Canada may still benefit from post‑CUAET measures and new family‑reunification pathways designed to help them maintain status and work or study while their permanent residence applications are processed.
About Author
