Canada Extends Work Permit Deadline for CUAET Participants to March 2025

The Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program participants now have an extended deadline to apply for a work visa, according to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).

The current deadline for CUAET participants who are temporarily residing in Canada to apply for an open work permit is March 31, 2025. Nevertheless, these work permit applications will not be free of charge, in contrast to earlier CUAET programs.

Depending on the applicant’s biometrics and passport expiration date, the validity of the open work permit may extend up to three years. Participants must have arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, and they must have been accepted under the CUAET measures to be eligible.

On July 15, 2023, CUAET formally ceased to accept new applications. Those who were accepted were required to go to Canada by March 31 of this year to take advantage of all program benefits, which include waivers of fees.

Ukrainian Settlement Services

Up until March 31, 2025, CUAET participants who are currently residing in Canada are also eligible to receive several free settlement services. These include programs aimed at particular groups like women, 2SLGBTQI, or elders, as well as ones that assist immigrants in finding work, learning the language of the country, and getting ready to become citizens.

Pathways to Permanent Residency in Canada for Ukrainians with Family

Additionally, some Ukrainians can qualify for a special route to become permanent residents of Canada. Applications under this method may be submitted to the IRCC until October 22, 2024.

Candidates who meet the eligibility requirements fall into one of two categories; to be considered for either, the applicant must be able to provide proof of a relationship with a family member who is currently a citizen or permanent resident of Canada. Among them are:

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

The candidate must be a citizen of Ukraine to be eligible for the first category. A statutory declaration form attesting to the relationship, signed by their Canadian family member, is also required.

The second group consists of a Ukrainian national’s spouse or common-law partner. They must be able to demonstrate that their spouse or partner is unable to leave Ukraine, is missing, has passed away, or is thought to have passed away and that their spouse or partner has immediate family in Canada.

CUAET

In response to the Russian invasion, CUAET was established in February 2022 as a stopgap measure for Ukrainians escaping the turmoil in the area.

Ukrainian nationals and members of their immediate family were allowed to enter Canada as temporary residents for a maximum of three years under the terms of the agreement. They might apply for a work permit or study permit without having to pay any costs after arriving. This also applied to any Ukrainian nationals who were already in Canada and needed to have their employment or study visas extended.

IRCC data shows that the agency received 1,189,320 applications for the program between March 17, 2022, and April 1, 2024, and approved 962,612. Less than 300,000 Ukrainians landed in Canada during that time, according to the same figures.