Temporary public policy to facilitate extensions of open work permits for foreign nationals in Canada who were facilitated under previous public policies for Ukrainians and their family members

Background:

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has upheld steadfast support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against ongoing Russian aggression, and for the people of Ukraine.

On March 17, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) as part of Canada’s response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.

Public Policy Considerations:

This public policy continues facilitation for the thousands of Ukrainian nationals and their family members who have sought temporary safe haven in Canada under the CUAET program and who continue to need to support themselves and their families while the war in Ukraine remains ongoing. The measures outlined in this public policy will facilitate continued access to work permit extensions from within Canada for foreign nationals who hold a work permit under CUAET and related measures, in recognition of their reliance on special measures to maintain work authorization to remain employed in Canada.

Therefore, I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting of exemptions from the requirements of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified below when a foreign national meets the following conditions:

1. The foreign national:
   1. has valid temporary resident status;
   2. arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024;
   3. holds a valid work permit, at the time of application under 1) iv., issued on the basis of exemptions under one of the following public policies:
      1. Temporary public policy to exempt Ukrainian nationals from various immigration requirements in support of the Canada-Ukraine authorization of emergency travel, signed on March 16, 2022;
      2. Temporary public policy to renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization of Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, signed on March 21, 2023;
      3. Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who applied under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures and for new temporary resident applicants, signed on July 7, 2023;
      4. Temporary public policy to facilitate continued access to open work permits and study permits for foreign nationals in Canada who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures, signed on August 8, 2024; or
      5. Temporary public policy to facilitate continued access to open work permits and study permits for foreign nationals in Canada who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures – Extension, signed on February 20, 2025;
   4. has applied for a work permit renewal under subsection 201(1) of the Regulations from within Canada; and
   5. has not already been granted an exemption under this public policy.
2. The foreign national:
   1. has valid temporary resident status;
   2. arrived in Canada on or before December 31, 2024;
   3. holds a valid work permit, at the time of application under 2) iv., issued on the basis of exemptions under one of the following public policies:
      1. Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who applied under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures and whose applications were pending as of February 4, 2024, signed on March 29, 2024; or
      2. Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who applied under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures and whose applications were pending as of February 4, 2024 – Extension, signed on July 31, 2024;
   4. has applied for a work permit renewal under subsection 201(1) of the Regulations from within Canada; and
   5. has not already been granted an exemption under this public policy.

Provisions of the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted for foreign nationals meeting the conditions:

For the foreign national who meets the conditions listed in 1) or 2):

• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations.

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements not otherwise exempted.

Effective date and expiration

This public policy comes into effect on April 1, 2026 and expires on March 31, 2027, and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.

This public policy applies to applications received on or after the date it comes into effect, and before the expiry date or the revocation of the public policy.