Deadline Extended for CUAET Participants to Apply for Work Permits

The Canadian government has extended the deadline for participants in the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program to apply for work permits. Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that the new deadline for CUAET participants currently in Canada as temporary residents is March 31, 2025. However, unlike previous phases of the CUAET program, these work permit applications are no longer fee-exempt.

Details of the Work Permit Extension

The open work permit offered under this program is valid for up to three years, depending on the applicant’s passport expiry date and biometrics. To qualify, participants must have been approved under the CUAET measures and arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024.

It’s important to note that CUAET officially stopped accepting new applications on July 15, 2023. Those who were approved needed to arrive in Canada by March 31, 2024, to fully benefit from the program’s supports, including fee exemptions.

Settlement Services Available for Ukrainians

CUAET participants who are still in Canada can continue to access free settlement services until March 31, 2025. These services help newcomers with finding employment, learning an official language, and preparing for citizenship. There are also specialized services available for specific groups, including women, 2SLGBTQI+ individuals, and seniors.

Pathways to Permanent Residence for Ukrainians with Family in Canada

In addition to work permits, some Ukrainians may be eligible for a special pathway to Canadian permanent residence. IRCC is accepting applications for this pathway until October 22, 2024.

There are two categories under this pathway, both requiring the applicant to demonstrate a relationship with a family member in Canada who is either a citizen or a permanent resident. Eligible family members include:

• Spouse or common-law partner
• Child (of any age)
• Grandchild
• Parent
• Grandparent
• Sibling (including half-sibling)

For the first category, the applicant must be a Ukrainian national with a statutory declaration form signed by their family member in Canada confirming their relationship.

The second category applies to the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national. The applicant must prove that their partner has immediate family in Canada and that their partner is unable to leave Ukraine, is missing, or has passed away (or is presumed to have passed away).

Overview of the CUAET Program

Launched in February 2022, the CUAET program was a temporary measure to help Ukrainians fleeing the conflict following the Russian invasion. The program allowed Ukrainians and their immediate family members to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. During their stay, they could apply for work or study permits without paying any fees. This also applied to Ukrainians already in Canada who needed to extend their permits.

Between March 17, 2022, and April 1, 2024, IRCC received 1,189,320 applications under the CUAET program and approved 962,612 of them. However, only fewer than 300,000 Ukrainians arrived in Canada during that time.

The extension of the work permit deadline and the continued support for settlement services reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to helping Ukrainians affected by the conflict.