On February 27, 2025, Canada extended key immigration measures for Ukrainians fleeing the war until March 31, 2026. Marc Miller announced that those who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) can continue to live, work, and study in Canada. Launched in March 2022 as a rapid humanitarian response, these measures remain a crucial safety net for thousands.
Canada is reinforcing its commitment to Ukrainian temporary residents by extending vital immigration benefits under the CUAET program. For Ukrainians and their families who arrived in Canada by March 31, 2024, this update means you can now remain in the country until March 31, 2026. This extension not only offers peace of mind but also provides more time to build a stable future.
Key Benefits Include:
Extended Stay: Eligible Ukrainian arrivals now have an extended period to live in Canada, ensuring continuity and security.
Flexible Work Permit Options: Applicants can choose to apply for a new open work permit valid for up to three years, or renew their existing permit. This flexibility allows you to maintain your employment without interruption.
Study Permit Opportunities: Alongside work permits, you have the option to obtain a study permit (standard fees apply), opening doors to educational opportunities.
Implied Status: To avoid any gaps in legal status, it is crucial to submit your application before your current permit expires. By doing so, you receive implied status, allowing you to continue working or studying while your new permit is processed.
These extended measures not only give Ukrainians under CUAET more time to work and study in Canada, but they also ensure a secure and continuous legal status. If you’re considering staying in Canada permanently, take a free assessment with AskAïa to explore your best options for obtaining permanent residency.
Canada remains dedicated to supporting Ukrainian temporary residents by continuing to offer free settlement services designed to help you integrate smoothly and thrive in your new community. Available to all eligible Ukrainian residents and their families until March 31, 2025, these essential services are a cornerstone of Canada's commitment to ensuring stability and protection during uncertain times.
Key Settlement Services Include:
Language Courses: Enhance your English or French proficiency to better integrate into Canadian society.
Job Search Support: Receive guidance and resources to help secure employment opportunities.
Administrative Assistance: Get help with paperwork and navigating the complexities of immigration processes.
These ongoing services are not only crucial for easing your transition but also for building a strong foundation for your future in Canada. Whether you're seeking to improve your language skills, find a job, or simply manage everyday administrative tasks, these free services are here to support your journey every step of the way.
This extension of temporary measures has a significant and immediate impact on the Ukrainian community in Canada.
Employment Stability: Extending open work permits until 2026 ensures job continuity for thousands of Ukrainians. Many have integrated into the Canadian labor market through this special authorization: approximately 71% of CUAET holders in 2023 reported being employed, most in full-time positions. The most common sectors include sales and services (26%), followed by construction, transportation, and mechanics (23%), and manufacturing (11%). Renewing work permits seamlessly will prevent employment disruptions and provide stability for both workers and employers.
Educational Access: Allowing new study permit applications until 2026 means that young Ukrainians can pursue or resume their education in Canada, enroll in post-secondary institutions, and improve their qualifications while benefiting from temporary resident tuition rates.
Free settlement services will remain available until March 2025, helping Ukrainians integrate into their new communities. These services provide essential support, including:
Language courses in English and French to improve communication skills.
Job search assistance to help secure employment.
Housing support to find stable accommodation.
Help with paperwork for immigration and daily life processes.
In 2023-2024, over 120,000 Ukrainians and their families benefited from these government-funded services, showing their importance in easing the transition to life in Canada.
Additionally, the suspension of removals to Ukraine remains in effect without a set end date. It is subject to periodic review by Canadian authorities to assess safety conditions. This ensures that no Ukrainian is forcibly returned to a war-torn country while the situation remains dangerous.
These measures—including extended work and study permits, continued settlement services, and the moratorium on removals—provide greater security and stability for Ukrainians in Canada. They allow individuals to plan ahead, secure long-term employment, enroll their children in school with confidence, and become active members of their communities while the crisis persists.
If you’re considering staying in Canada permanently, take a free assessment with AskAïa to explore your best options for obtaining permanent residency.
Three years after the war in Ukraine began, various data points highlight the progressive integration of Ukrainians, though future trends will depend on continued policy support, economic conditions, and access to essential services. into Canadian economic and social life.
Employment Trends: A rapid assessment conducted by IRCC at the end of 2023 found that 71% of surveyed CUAET holders were employed, with 82% working full-time—demonstrating strong labor market participation. Notably, over half of respondents work in the same industry as before arriving in Canada, indicating that their prior skills are being leveraged.
Housing Challenges: The shortage of affordable housing in Canada affects newly arrived Ukrainians. A 2023 survey found that 71% of CUAET holders rented an apartment or house, 12% rented a single room, and 7% lived with friends or relatives. About 28% expressed dissatisfaction with housing costs, reflecting the financial strain of high rent. The federal government had previously provided up to 14 nights of free hotel stays for newcomers without immediate housing solutions—over 21,900 individuals benefited from this assistance between July 2022 and June 2023.
Language Barriers: Among CUAET holders, only 23% reported being fluent in English, while 36% had an intermediate level and 30% a basic level. French proficiency was even lower: 9% could communicate at a basic level, and just 1% were fluent. To address this, intensive and free language training programs have been expanded nationwide.
Canada’s response to the mass arrival of Ukrainians is unprecedented in scale and approach, but comparisons can be drawn with other humanitarian immigration policies:
Syrian Crisis (2015): Canada swiftly resettled 25,000 Syrian refugees as permanent residents, contrasting with the Ukrainian approach, which emphasized temporary resident status.
Afghan Refugee Commitment (2021): Canada pledged to resettle 40,000 Afghan refugees, primarily through government-assisted and privately sponsored pathways.
CUAET vs. Refugee Programs: CUAET was created as a temporary program, but Canada has introduced pathways for Ukrainians to apply for permanent residency. Options include Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), and family sponsorship. More policies may emerge to help those who want to stay permanently.
Since 2022, nearly 300,000 Ukrainians and their family members have come to Canada through CUAET. Unlike traditional refugee programs, CUAET offers an open-ended, fast-tracked process, while other refugee programs have quotas and longer wait times.
Verify your current status expiration date and apply for renewal before it expires to maintain legal status and benefit from implied status.
Prepare necessary documents (valid passport, completed application forms, and payment of applicable fees).
Utilize extended settlement services for language training, job search assistance, and legal aid.
Explore permanent residency options through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) or Express Entry.
Stay informed through community organizations offering assistance in Ukrainian.
These extended measures reaffirm Canada’s commitment to supporting Ukrainians fleeing war, ensuring stability and opportunities. Ukrainians in Canada should take proactive steps to secure their status, access resources, and explore pathways to long-term settlement.
AskAïa, your AI immigration assistant, is here to guide you through every step of your immigration journey. Take a free assessment today to discover the best immigration programs tailored to your profile and secure your future in Canada.