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Writer's pictureParisa Erfani

Deadline for CUAET Participants to Apply for Work Permits Extended



Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has recently extended the deadline for Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) participants to apply for a work permit.


CUAET participants who are currently in Canada as temporary residents now have until March 31, 2025, to submit their applications for an open work permit. Please note that, unlike previous CUAET measures, these work permit applications will no longer be fee exempt.


The open work permit can be valid for up to three years, depending on the expiry date of the applicant’s passport and biometrics.


To be eligible, participants must have been approved under the CUAET measures and arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024.


CUAET ceased accepting new applications on July 15, 2023. Approved applicants needed to arrive by March 31, 2024, to fully benefit from the program’s supports, including fee exemptions.


Settlement Services for Ukrainians


CUAET participants currently in Canada can continue to access many free settlement services until March 31, 2025. These services assist newcomers with finding employment, learning an official language, preparing for citizenship, and other specific needs, including support for women, 2SLGBTQI individuals, and seniors.


Permanent Residence Pathways for Ukrainians with Family in Canada


Some Ukrainians may qualify for a special pathway to Canadian permanent residence. Applications for this pathway are being accepted by IRCC until October 22, 2024.


There are two categories for eligible candidates, but in both, applicants must demonstrate a relationship with a family member in Canada who is already a citizen or permanent resident. The eligible relationships include:


- Spouse or common-law partner

- Child (of any age)

- Grandchild

- Parent

- Grandparent

- Sibling (including half-siblings)


In the first category, the applicant must be a Ukrainian national and must provide a statutory declaration form signed by their family member in Canada, explaining their relationship.


The second category is for the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national. They must prove that their spouse or partner has immediate family in Canada and that their spouse or partner is unable to leave Ukraine, is missing, has passed away, or is presumed deceased.


CUAET Overview


Launched in February 2022, the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was a temporary measure designed to support Ukrainians fleeing unrest following the Russian invasion.


Under CUAET, Ukrainians and their immediate family members could stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. They were also eligible to apply for work or study permits without paying fees. This policy also applied to Ukrainians already in Canada who needed to extend their work or study permits.


According to IRCC data, from March 17, 2022, to April 1, 2024, the department received 1,189,320 applications for the program and approved 962,612. However, during this period, fewer than 300,000 Ukrainians arrived in Canada.




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