COW – Immigration Responses to Recent Crises—Ukraine – June 9, 2025

Key Facts

Since March 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has implemented a series of temporary and permanent measures to support Ukrainians and their family members.
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was a temporary resident program launched on March 17, 2022. Application intake closed on July 15, 2023.
On October 23, 2023, IRCC launched a special family reunification pathway to facilitate permanent residence for Ukrainians with family in Canada. Applications were accepted from October 23, 2023, until October 22, 2024. Processing of applications is ongoing.

Canada remains deeply concerned with the situation in Ukraine.
The Government of Canada introduced the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program to help Ukrainians seeking temporary safe haven in Canada.
Under CUAET, Ukrainians and their family members were able to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years and apply for fee-exempt open work and study permits, as well as extensions of their temporary resident status.
CUAET visa holders who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, can apply until March 31, 2026, for a new open work permit that is valid for up to three years, apply to extend a current open work permit, or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard fees.
Those wishing to extend their stay as visitors or students may apply through existing IRCC channels, subject to standard fees.
Ukrainians who wish to immigrate to Canada permanently can also apply for permanent residence through existing immigration programs, such as the family reunification pathways and economic immigration streams.

On validity of passports and travel documents:

Generally, all foreign nationals applying for permanent or temporary residence in Canada are required to provide a valid passport or travel document as per the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.
However, if applicants cannot meet these requirements due to compelling and exceptional circumstances, IRCC officers may consider their situations on a case-by-case basis.

On post-arrival supports for CUAET holders:

Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the CUAET measures by March 31, 2024, were eligible for federally-funded emergency temporary accommodation and could apply online until June 30, 2024, for a one-time financial assistance payment to help meet basic needs upon arrival in Canada ($3,000 per adult; $1,500 per child).
All Ukrainians and their family members with valid temporary resident status in Canada were eligible for settlement services until March 31, 2025.
While federally-funded settlement services will no longer be available to Ukrainians on temporary status, we understand many Ukrainians are accessing similar programs and services through, community groups, including Ukrainian-Canadian organizations, provincial, territorial and local governments in the cities or towns where they live.

2025-10-07