As Russia’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine persists, Canada remains committed to supporting Ukrainians and their families who have sought refuge in the country.
On February 27, 2025, the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced an extension of certain measures for those who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) on or before March 31, 2024. These individuals now have until March 31, 2026, to apply for a new open work permit valid for up to three years, renew an existing work permit, or obtain a new study permit, subject to standard fees. Visitors and students can also continue to apply for status renewals as before.
These measures ensure that Ukrainians and their families can continue working and studying in Canada while awaiting a time when it is safe to return home. Additionally, free settlement services will remain available to Ukrainian temporary residents and their family members in Canada until March 31, 2025.
Canada continues to assess and adapt its immigration policies to provide the best possible support for those affected by the war in Ukraine.
Presently a lot of Ukrainians in Canada facing difficulty because their passports are expiring and Ukrainian consulates in Canada are facing tremendous pressure from the number of Ukrainian citizens applying to extend their current passports and applying for new passports. In addition, Ukraine has stopped providing consular services to men of fighting age and Ukrainian men are unable to extend their passports. Work Permits and other status documents can only be issued for the same expiry date as a passport and this has become a big problem for Ukrainian men. We advise them to apply for Temporary Resident Permit (TRP) and in the same application also ask for a Work Permit. TRP applications are complicated, many people who have applied recently received refusals and professional legal representation is crucial for these applications. Do not hesitate to contact a licensed immigration lawyer for help!
