Canada extends support for Ukrainians: work and study without restrictions until 2026

Canada continues to support Ukrainian refugees by allowing them to stay in the country due to the ongoing war in Ukraine.

Minister of Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Marc Miller announced an extension of the program that will allow Ukrainians and their families to apply for document renewals until March 31, 2026.

Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under CUAET before March 31, 2024, will be able to apply for a new open work permit for up to three years, renew an existing one, or apply for a student visa.

This will provide an opportunity to continue studying and working without restrictions.

For those who wish to extend their visitor or student status, standard application procedures will apply.

Additionally, free settlement programs for temporary Ukrainian residents and their families will remain available until March 31, 2025.

These measures aim to help Ukrainians integrate during their stay in Canada.

The CUAET program was launched in March 2022 and has already helped nearly 300,000 Ukrainians and their families find temporary refuge.

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In Europe, 4.3 million Ukrainian refugees are under temporary protection, and this number is growing

By the end of June 2024, there were 4.3 million people in EU countries who had received temporary protection due to Russian aggression. Most of them are in Germany, Poland, and the Czech Republic.

As part of the program, they received financial support, temporary housing, and consulting services.

Ukrainians currently in Canada under CUAET must apply to extend their status before their current permit expires. If they apply before the expiration date, they can continue working and studying with full rights until a decision is made on their application.

Canada also allows Ukrainians to apply for a temporary status extension even if they do not have a valid passport. Each application is reviewed on an individual basis.

Currently, the Canada Border Services Agency is enforcing an Administrative Deferral of Removals for Ukraine, protecting Ukrainian nationals from forced return to Ukraine.

It is also worth noting that Canada has updated the Express Entry system: priority will now be given to specialists with work experience in Canada and French-speaking candidates.

New categories have been introduced for workers in education, healthcare, and construction due to labor shortages. Applications will be processed based on key economic needs.