Education and Childcare

Public education from kindergarten through grade 12 is free in every Canadian province and territory for the children of CUAET holders and other residents. The school year generally runs from early September to late June. To enroll your child, contact your local school board and bring the child's passport and status document (work or study permit, visitor record), your proof of address in Canada, the child's vaccination records, and, if possible, their previous school records. Children are placed by age and assessed for language level. In many districts, newly arrived children are supported by settlement workers directly in the schools.

Canadian schools routinely enroll children who do not yet speak English or French and provide in-school language support — called English as a Second Language (ESL) in anglophone provinces, or French as a Second Language (FSL) / francisation in Quebec and francophone schools. Children are typically assessed upon arrival and placed in a regular classroom at their grade level with pull-out or in-class language support. Most Ukrainian children achieve conversational classroom fluency within one year and academic fluency in 2 to 3 years. Do not delay enrollment because of the language barrier — the school system is designed to handle it.

Settlement Workers in Schools (SWIS, and equivalent programs in other provinces) place trained settlement workers directly in schools to help newly arrived families navigate the education system. They can help you understand report cards, communicate with teachers, access extracurricular programs, connect with services in Ukrainian, and find community resources. SWIS services are free and confidential. Ask the school office if there is a settlement worker on site or attached to your school board; many boards in Toronto, Ottawa, Vancouver, Winnipeg, Edmonton, and Calgary have strong SWIS programs. These workers are often the front line of help for everyday school life questions.

Unlike K–12 education, post-secondary education (colleges and universities) is not free. There is no federal guarantee that Ukrainian CUAET holders pay domestic tuition rates — most Ukrainian students continue to be charged the higher international rate unless a province or institution has decided otherwise. Saskatchewan is a notable exception, where provincial tuition relief continues to support Ukrainian students. Some universities and colleges across Canada offer their own Ukraine-focused scholarships, exemptions, or financial aid. Check directly with the admissions and international student office at each institution, and also search for Ukrainian community scholarships through the UCC.

Ukraine-specific study permit measures have ended. Ukrainians in Canada who want to study must now get or extend a study permit through the regular process and pay the standard fee ($150). The April 2026 Ukraine public policy covers open work permit extensions only. A study permit lets you enrol at a designated learning institution (DLI) and work part-time off campus within the regular limits. If you complete an eligible program, you may qualify for a post-graduation work permit (PGWP) that can lead to Canadian work experience and Express Entry (CEC).

The Canada-wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement (CWELCC) aims for regulated childcare at $10/day across Canada. By 2026, average fees have dropped significantly but vary by province. To benefit, find a licensed childcare provider enrolled in the CWELCC program through your province's childcare registry. Wait lists in major cities (Toronto, Vancouver) can run 1 to 2 years, so register early — ideally as soon as you know you will need childcare. Subsidies are available for low-income families on top of the fee reduction. Alternatives include licensed home daycares and nanny sharing.

Teenagers in CUAET families face particular challenges. OSAP and most provincial student loan programs are not available to temporary residents, meaning post-secondary education is charged at international rates (often $20,000–$40,000/year). Options: scholarships (check with UCC and individual institutions), employer-sponsored training, or the study permit → PGWP → CEC pathway for those who can afford the upfront costs. Some provinces (Saskatchewan) offer domestic rates to Ukrainians. Planning timeline: at age 15–16, start researching scholarships and domestic-rate programs; at 16–17, apply to institutions and for a study permit (if needed separately from the parent's); before the 18th birthday, ensure the teen has their own immigration status (study permit or work permit). Some universities offer entrance scholarships specifically for displaced students — contact admissions offices directly. Explore all funding options well before grade 12.

CRITICAL: A child listed as a dependent on a parent's CUAET work permit does NOT automatically receive their own immigration status when they turn 18. On their 18th birthday, they are no longer covered by the parent's permit and become a foreign national without status — losing the right to stay in Canada, work, or attend school. Parents MUST apply for a separate work permit or study permit for the child BEFORE their 18th birthday. This is one of the most common and serious mistakes made by CUAET families. Plan at least 6 months ahead. Consult an immigration lawyer or RCIC well before the child's 18th birthday.