Ukrainians in Canada after CUAET: current measures and permanent residence options for 2026

Important: CUAET is closed

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, commonly known as CUAET, closed to new applications on July 15, 2023.

It is no longer possible to submit a new CUAET application for travel to Canada, a visa or a work permit.

CUAET was not a permanent immigration program and did not provide an automatic right to permanent residence.

Limited temporary measures remain available to certain Ukrainian nationals and eligible family members who are already in Canada.

Other applicants must use Canada’s regular visitor, work, study, family reunification or economic immigration programs.

Button: Review my status and available options

Who may qualify for the 2026 special measures

Certain Ukrainian nationals and eligible family members may apply once to extend an open work permit for up to three years.

The application deadline is March 31, 2027.

Applicants must meet all applicable conditions, including:

• being physically present in Canada when applying and when a decision is made;
• holding valid temporary resident status;
• holding a valid open work permit issued under an eligible public policy for Ukrainians;
• having arrived in Canada by March 31, 2024, or, in limited eligible circumstances, between April 1 and December 31, 2024;
• making their first extension application under the new measure;
• holding a valid passport;
• holding valid biometrics where required.

Temporary Resident Permit holders are not eligible under this particular open work permit extension measure.

A new permit may be issued for up to three years, but its duration may be limited by the expiry date of the applicant’s passport or biometrics.

Previously receiving a CUAET visa or work permit does not automatically establish eligibility.

Official information:

Open work permit extension for Ukrainians

Visitors, students and other workers

Visitors, study permit holders, holders of other work permits and Temporary Resident Permit holders must use the applicable regular process to extend or change their status.

A visitor visa or eTA does not authorize employment in Canada.

Most visitors cannot simply enter Canada and automatically obtain a work permit from inside the country.

A person who submits a complete extension application before their existing status expires may, in certain circumstances, remain in Canada under maintained status.

The right to continue working depends on the type of application and the conditions of the existing permit.

The special permanent residence pathway is closed

The special permanent residence pathway for certain Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada closed on October 22, 2024.

New applications are not accepted.

IRCC continues to process applications received by the deadline. Separate temporary measures may remain available to people who applied or were included in an application before the pathway closed and are waiting for a decision.

Official information:

Closed permanent residence pathway for Ukrainian nationals

Options for Ukrainians outside Canada

New applicants must consider Canada’s regular programs, including:

• a visitor visa or eTA;
• a work permit;
• a study permit;
• family sponsorship;
• Express Entry;
• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• a Provincial Nominee Program;
• the Atlantic Immigration Program;
• French-language immigration programs;
• other federal, provincial and regional programs.

An employer-specific work permit normally requires a job offer. The employer may also need a Labour Market Impact Assessment unless an exemption applies.

A visitor visa does not guarantee authorization to work, employment in Canada or permanent residence.

English or French language requirements

There is no single language test required for every visitor visa or work permit.

However, employers may establish job-related language requirements, and educational institutions establish their own admission requirements.

An approved English or French test is mandatory for Express Entry and most economic immigration programs.

Accepted Express Entry tests include:

• CELPIP-General;
• IELTS General Training;
• PTE Core;
• TEF Canada;
• TCF Canada.

Test results must remain valid when the Express Entry profile is created and when the permanent residence application is submitted.

Official information:

Language tests for Express Entry

Humanitarian options and permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals

Following Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine, Canada introduced special measures for Ukrainian nationals.

Temporary entry, work authorization, the special family pathway and permanent residence are separate immigration mechanisms.

CUAET allowed Ukrainian nationals and certain family members to come to Canada temporarily and obtain authorization to work or study. It was not a permanent residence program.

The special permanent residence pathway for certain Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada closed on October 22, 2024.

New applications cannot be submitted under these closed measures in 2026.

Is there a humanitarian PR program for all Ukrainians?

There is currently no open program that automatically provides permanent residence to all Ukrainian nationals.

Canadian immigration law allows certain applicants to request permanent residence based on Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations, commonly known as H&C.

H&C is not a program created specifically for Ukrainians and is not a simplified alternative to regular immigration.

It is an exceptional measure for applicants whose individual circumstances may justify an exemption from one or more requirements of Canadian immigration law.

IRCC may consider factors such as:

• establishment and integration in Canada;
• length of residence in Canada;
• employment, education and community involvement;
• family ties in Canada;
• the best interests of children;
• medical, family and personal circumstances;
• the consequences of refusing the application;
• objectively documented hardship;
• other compelling circumstances.

Ukrainian citizenship, the war, the expiry of a work permit or the desire to remain in Canada does not, by itself, guarantee approval.

An H&C application requires a detailed explanation of the exemptions being requested and compelling documentary evidence.

Official information:

Humanitarian and Compassionate Considerations

Who should consider an H&C assessment

An individual assessment may be particularly important when a person:

• has lived in Canada for a significant period;
• works, pays taxes and participates in the community;
• has children who attend school and are established in Canada;
• has close family members in Canada;
• cares for a child, an elderly relative or a person with special needs;
• has serious medical, family or social circumstances;
• does not qualify under a regular immigration program;
• has received a previous refusal;
• has lost or may lose temporary status;
• has a combination of compelling circumstances.

The presence of one factor does not create an automatic right to permanent residence. IRCC assesses the complete circumstances.

A person with a pending refugee claim cannot generally make a simultaneous H&C application. A previous negative refugee decision may also result in a statutory waiting period, subject to limited exceptions.

Submitting an H&C application does not automatically stay or delay removal from Canada.

Regular permanent residence programs should be reviewed first

H&C should not automatically be treated as the first or only option.

Ukrainian nationals may qualify through:

• Canadian Experience Class;
• Federal Skilled Worker Program;
• Express Entry;
• a Provincial Nominee Program;
• the Atlantic Immigration Program;
• French-language immigration programs;
• family sponsorship;
• spousal or partner sponsorship;
• regional or occupation-specific programs.

Eligibility may depend on age, education, occupation, foreign and Canadian work experience, province of residence, a qualifying job offer and English or French ability.

Asylum claims

Asylum is not a general immigration program or a replacement for CUAET.

Each claim is assessed individually and must be based on a legally recognized risk of persecution, torture, danger to life or cruel treatment.

Ukrainian citizenship alone does not guarantee refugee protection. A desire to work, study or remain in Canada is not sufficient grounds for asylum.

Official information:

Claiming asylum in Canada

Why Ukrainian nationals should contact CUSC

CUSC has worked with Ukrainian nationals for many years. We understand the particular features of Ukrainian documents, education, professional experience and family circumstances.

Our team provides services in Ukrainian, Russian and English. Clients can explain their circumstances in the language they are most comfortable using and receive a clear explanation of their available options.

Before applying for permanent residence, it is important to select the correct immigration strategy rather than simply complete application forms.

Choosing an unsuitable program, omitting relevant information, providing insufficient evidence or missing a deadline may result in refusal and complicate future applications.

As part of an individual assessment, CUSC can review:

• current status and expiry dates;
• date and legal basis of entry;
• immigration and travel history;
• work or study permit conditions;
• eligibility for a special work permit extension;
• education and credential assessment;
• Canadian and foreign work experience;
• occupation and NOC classification;
• English or French test results;
• Express Entry eligibility;
• provincial and regional programs;
• family sponsorship;
• potential H&C considerations;
• children’s interests and establishment in Canada;
• previous refusals;
• loss or violation of status;
• required supporting evidence and possible risks.

The assessment can help determine whether a regular economic program, provincial nomination, family sponsorship, an H&C application or a sequence of immigration steps may be appropriate.

Request an assessment before applying

Every Ukrainian applicant has different circumstances.

The date of entry, permit type, passport validity, occupation, education, language ability, family composition and province of residence can significantly change the available options.

Ukrainian nationals who want to remain in Canada permanently should contact CUSC for an individual assessment before applying or allowing their current status to expire.

Information reviewed on August 12, 2026.

CUSC is a private organization and is not part of the Government of Canada.

Hiring an immigration representative is optional and does not guarantee approval. Decisions are made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or another authorized government body.

CUSC professional fees and government processing fees are separate.