What Changed on April 1, 2026
A one-time, fee-based extension of up to 3 more years for eligible CUAET-linked open work permit holders, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027.
Last verified: · Sources: IRCC
On April 1, 2026, IRCC's new Ukraine public policy opened a one-time, fee-based extension of up to 3 additional years for eligible CUAET-linked open work permit holders, split into two eligibility groups by arrival date and prior permit type. Unlike the original 2022 CUAET measures, this 2026 extension is not fee-exempt, and the window to apply closes March 31, 2027 — after which, unless a new federal measure is introduced, there is no Ukraine-specific extension pathway.
Who Is Affected
This page applies only to people who already hold CUAET-linked temporary resident status in Canada (a visitor record, open work permit, or study permit issued under one of the Ukraine public policies of 2022-2025). It does not apply to anyone applying for CUAET-linked status for the first time — new CUAET applications from abroad closed July 15, 2023, and CUAET itself is no longer accepting new applicants as of 2026.
Group 1
Arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, and hold a valid open work permit issued under: the March 2022 (original CUAET) policy, the March 2023 policy, the July 2023 policy, the August 2024 policy, or the February 2025 extension policy.
Group 2
Arrived in Canada on or before December 31, 2024, and hold a valid open work permit issued under the March 2024 policy (for applicants whose CUAET applications were pending on February 4, 2024) or its July 2024 extension.
All applicants must also meet these common requirements:
- Valid temporary resident status at the time of application (temporary resident permit holders are excluded).
- A valid open work permit at the time of application.
- Must be physically in Canada both when applying and when IRCC makes its decision.
- Only one extension is available under these 2026 measures — there is no second Ukraine-specific extension round for someone who already used this one.
What Changed: Before vs. After April 2026
| Before | After April 1, 2026 | |
|---|---|---|
| Application fees | The original 2022 CUAET open work permit and its 2023-2025 extensions were fee-exempt. | NOT fee-exempt. Budget at minimum $155 (work permit processing fee) + $100 (open work permit holder fee) + $85 (biometrics, if required) = at least $340 CAD per adult applicant; a family applying together pays a maximum combined biometrics fee of $170 CAD. Each family member pays their own base fees. |
| Who qualifies | Broad Ukraine-measures eligibility tied to holding any valid CUAET-linked status. | Narrowed into two specific groups defined by arrival date and which exact prior policy issued the applicant's current permit (see 'Who Is Affected' above) — an applicant must check their own arrival date and permit-issuing policy, not assume general CUAET eligibility is enough. |
| Number of extensions available | Multiple rounds of Ukraine-specific extensions were issued between 2022 and February 2025. | Only one extension is available under the April 2026 measures; this is explicitly a one-time window, not an open-ended renewal mechanism. |
| Length of extension | Varied by policy round. | Up to 3 additional years, capped by whichever is sooner: the standard 3-year maximum, the applicant's passport expiry, or their biometrics expiry — IRCC cannot issue a permit that extends past either of those. |
| Deadline to apply | Each prior Ukraine policy round had its own, now-closed application window. | March 31, 2027 is the final date to submit a complete application under the April 2026 policy. After that date, unless a new federal measure is introduced, there is no Ukraine-specific extension pathway, and CUAET holders must qualify under regular Canadian work permit rules. |
What to Do Now
Informational steps based on the site's existing CUAET work-permit-extension guidance — not legal advice. Consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer for guidance specific to your situation.
- 1. Identify your group: check your arrival date and the specific Ukraine public policy named on your current open work permit or IRCC approval letter against the Group 1 / Group 2 criteria above.
- 2. Check your passport and biometrics expiry: IRCC cannot issue a permit extending past either date, so renew your Ukrainian passport before applying if you can (men aged 25-60 should be aware passport services require updated military registration data first).
- 3. Apply before your current permit expires: submitting before expiry gives maintained status, letting you keep working under your current conditions while IRCC processes the extension; applying after expiry forfeits maintained status, though restoration of status may still be possible within 90 days (with additional fees, and no legal right to work during the restoration period).
- 4. Budget for fees: at least $340 CAD per adult ($155 work permit + $100 open work permit holder + $85 biometrics), paid online through the IRCC portal.
- 5. Apply well before the deadline: ideally 3-6 months before March 31, 2027, and before your own permit's individual expiry date, to leave time for passport renewal, document gathering, and processing.
Key Dates
- Original CUAET measures launched by IRCC in response to Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine.
- New CUAET applications from abroad closed.
- PAST — Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI) one-time payment stopped accepting new applications.
- PAST — Ukraine family reunification PR pathway stopped accepting new applications; applications filed before this date continue processing.
- PAST — IRCC-funded settlement services specific to CUAET holders ended.
- April 2026 public policy takes effect, opening the Group 1 / Group 2 open work permit extension window.
- CRITICAL — final date to submit a complete application under the April 2026 extension policy; also the end date of the Ukraine-specific OWP extension policy itself.
- Quebec's committed end date for extending RAMQ (provincial health) coverage to Ukrainian CUAET holders — one of the longest provincial commitments in Canada; separate from, but still dependent on, maintaining valid federal status.
Frequently Asked Questions
What exactly changed for CUAET holders on April 1, 2026?
IRCC's new Ukraine public policy, in effect April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027, opened a one-time extension of up to 3 additional years for eligible CUAET-linked open work permit holders, split into two eligibility groups by arrival date and which prior Ukraine policy issued their current permit. Unlike the original 2022 CUAET measures, this extension is not fee-exempt.
Am I eligible for the April 2026 CUAET work permit extension?
You may be eligible if you have valid temporary resident status and a valid open work permit, and either: (Group 1) arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024 and hold a permit issued under the March 2022, March 2023, July 2023, August 2024, or February 2025 Ukraine policies, or (Group 2) arrived on or before December 31, 2024 and hold a permit issued under the March 2024 policy (for applications pending February 4, 2024) or its July 2024 extension. You must be in Canada both when you apply and when IRCC decides, and you can use this extension only once.
How much does the 2026 CUAET work permit extension cost?
Budget at minimum $340 CAD per adult applicant: a $155 work permit processing fee, a $100 open work permit holder fee, and an $85 biometrics fee if required (a family applying together pays a maximum combined biometrics fee of $170 CAD). This is a change from the original, fee-exempt 2022 CUAET measures.
What happens if I miss the March 31, 2027 deadline?
Unless the federal government introduces a new measure, there will be no Ukraine-specific extension pathway after March 31, 2027, and you would need to qualify under regular Canadian temporary resident rules (for example, an LMIA-based work permit, a spousal work permit, a study permit, or a permanent residence pathway). If your permit has already expired, you may still be able to apply for restoration of status within 90 days of expiry, though you cannot legally work during the restoration period and restoration does not make you eligible for the 2026 Ukraine-specific extension.
Does the April 2026 policy affect my path to permanent residence?
The April 2026 policy only extends your temporary open work permit — it is not a permanent residence pathway. The dedicated Ukraine family reunification PR pathway closed to new applications on October 22, 2024, and no Ukraine-specific replacement PR pathway has been announced as of 2026. CUAET holders seeking PR should look at general pathways such as Express Entry (time spent on a CUAET open work permit counts as Canadian work experience toward the Canadian Experience Class), Provincial Nominee Programs, or family sponsorship.
Official sources: IRCC and Government of Canada
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/mandate/policies-operational-instructions-agreements/public-policies/ukraine-april-2026.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/open-work-permit-extension.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/work-canada/restore.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures.html
- https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/key-figures.html
This page provides information for informational purposes only. It is not legal advice. CUAET rules change frequently. Verify with IRCC and consult a licensed RCIC or immigration lawyer for advice tailored to your situation.