IRCC extended the CUAET public policy so Ukrainians and their family members who arrived by March 31, 2024 may apply for open work permits, study permits and TRVs until March 31, 2026. Applications are subject to regular fees, and the Feb. 4, 2024 “pending CUAET” policy expired Dec. 31, 2024.
Soheil Hosseini
July 15, 2025
Jurisdiction
Federal
Week
Week 29
Impact
Moderate
Programs Affected
Canada Extends Support Measures for Ukrainians Under CUAET Program
Summary: IRCC has extended its public policy allowing eligible Ukrainians and their family members to continue applying for CUAET-related open work and study permits until March 31, 2026, with regular fees. A prior “pending CUAET” policy ended on December 31, 2024.
Date of update: 2025-07-15
Source: IRCC
Programs affected: Work Permit, Study Permit, TRV
Policy Update
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has extended the public policy for CUAET-related open work and study permits. Under this measure:
Eligibility: Ukrainians and their family members who arrived on or before March 31, 2024 remain eligible.
Deadline: Applications can be submitted until March 31, 2026.
Fees: Applications are now subject to regular processing fees.
Expired policy: The “pending CUAET” policy of February 4, 2024 officially expired on December 31, 2024, and is not included in this extension.
Analysis
Positive impacts:
The two-year extension provides a longer runway for Ukrainians to stabilize in Canada.
It facilitates labour market participation and access to education, supporting both employers and institutions.
Continuity reduces uncertainty for applicants planning their next steps.
Limitations and risks:
Only those who arrived by March 31, 2024 qualify—later arrivals are excluded.
Standard application fees may deter lower-income applicants.
The expiry of the “pending CUAET” measure may leave some individuals without transitional options.
Processing volumes may spike closer to the 2026 deadline, creating bottlenecks.
Closing
Eligible Ukrainians and their family members should apply well before March 31, 2026 to secure timely processing and avoid last-minute system pressures. Employers and institutions may also wish to plan ahead for continued integration of CUAET participants.
Tags: Canada immigration, IRCC, CUAET, Ukraine, work permit, study permit, TRV, public policy, humanitarian immigration, Canada news
Categories
Share This Post
Stay Updated with Immigration News
Get the latest updates on Express Entry draws, OINP invitations, policy changes, and more delivered to your inbox.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Related Articles
IRCC Feb 28 Cutoff
IRCC updated Program Delivery Instructions clarifying that only Iranian nationals who arrived in Canada on or before Feb. 28, 2025 and remained in Canada until application submission are eligible under the temporary measures for applications received on/after Mar. 1, 2025. Guidance specifies Entry/Exit verification, concurrent restoration (decide restoration first), no port‑of‑entry applications, standard fees apply, and the policy window ran Mar. 1, 2025–Feb. 28, 2026.
Inov Contacto and TGPI
IRCC updated its program delivery instructions (2026-03-09) to add Inov Contacto (Portugal) and the Taiwan Global Pathfinder Initiative to the IEC Young Professionals stream under IMP reciprocity [R204(d) – C21], affecting Work Permit processing. The change is procedural, clarifying bilateral pathways and broadening eligibility for Portuguese and Taiwanese youth seeking employer-sponsored work in Canada.
Rural and Francophone Pilots
Canada launched two 5-year regional PR pilots — the Rural Community Immigration Pilot (RCIP) and Francophone Community Immigration Pilot (FCIP) — offering eligible applicants employer-specific work permits under IRPR R205(a) (C15) for up to 2 years. Spouses/common-law partners (R205(a)/C17) and dependent children (R205(c)(ii)/C49) may receive corresponding open work permits for up to 2 years to support family retention in smaller and francophone communities.
IRCC Clarifies C10 Guidelines
IRCC reorganized and clarified C10 (R205(a)) guidance for the International Mobility Program, detailing criteria and non‑exhaustive evidence officers should use to assess whether foreign work provides significant economic, social, or cultural benefits to Canada. The update refines adjudication factors—emphasizing demonstrable, community- or region‑level impacts and in‑Canada necessity—without changing eligibility rules.