Important Deadlines

This is the single most important date for every CUAET holder in Canada. The April 2026 public policy, which allows eligible CUAET holders to apply for up to 3 additional years on their open work permit, expires on March 31, 2027. You must submit a complete application — with all forms, supporting documents, and fees — by this date at the latest. Apply early: ideally 3 to 6 months before the deadline and well before your own work permit expires, so you benefit from maintained status during processing. If you miss this date, unless a new federal measure is introduced, there will be no Ukraine-specific extension pathway and you will need to qualify under regular Canadian rules.

The Ukraine-specific public policy supporting the 2026 open work permit extension is set to end on March 31, 2027. After that date, unless a replacement federal measure is introduced, there will be no Ukraine-specific pathway to extend an open work permit — Ukrainian CUAET holders will need to apply under the same rules as other foreign nationals (e.g., LMIA-based work permits, spousal work permits, study permits, PR applications). If you still hold a CUAET-linked work permit in early 2027, act before this date.

Quebec has committed to providing provincial RAMQ coverage to Ukrainian CUAET holders until March 31, 2028 — one of the longest provincial commitments in the country. This makes Quebec relatively attractive for Ukrainian families who need continued access to healthcare and can meet Quebec's other residency and registration requirements. Note that this RAMQ end date is separate from your federal work permit expiry date — but coverage still depends on maintaining valid federal status.

The dedicated Ukraine family reunification PR pathway stopped accepting new applications on October 22, 2024. Applications submitted before that date continue to be processed by IRCC, but if you were unable to file in time, this specific pathway is no longer available. As of September 2026, no Ukraine-specific replacement PR pathway has been announced. CUAET holders seeking permanent residence should look to general pathways such as Express Entry (CEC/FSW/FST), PNPs, and family sponsorship.

The Canada-Ukraine Transitional Assistance Initiative (CUTAI) — the one-time payment of $3,000 per adult and $1,500 per child — stopped accepting new applications on June 30, 2024. Approximately $795 million was disbursed in total. As of September 2026, there is no replacement one-time federal financial support for CUAET holders. If you missed CUTAI, your best current options are standard Canadian benefits (CCB, GST/HST credit, provincial benefits) once you become eligible.

Special settlement services funded by IRCC and offered to CUAET holders ended on March 31, 2025. This marked the end of Ukraine-specific contracts with settlement organizations across Canada, although regular settlement services remain available to certain groups under normal IRCC rules. Community support from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, provincial UCC councils, Ukrainian churches, and community organizations continues to fill much of this gap. Use these community networks as your primary source of ongoing practical help.