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Work & skilled workersAnnouncementHigh impactVerified

Canada extends work permit application deadline for CUAET holders from Ukraine

🇨🇦 CanadaWork Permits1 recorded versionLast change 1 Apr 2026
ConfidenceVery high · 100%

Current rules

Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or related measures have until 31 March 2027, to apply to extend their work permit for up to three additional years. Eligibility requires arrival in Canada on or before 31 March 2024, or, if a CUAET holder, permission to arrive by 31 December 2024, if a decision was not received in time for the 31 March 2024 deadline.

Overview

On 13 March 2026, the Government of Canada announced a temporary measure to allow eligible skilled workers in Quebec to extend their employer-specific work permits for up to 12 months. This extension provides Quebec with time to assess permanent residency eligibility for these workers, aligning with Quebec's new policy. This initiative supports the retention of skilled workers and targets those invited by Quebec to submit a Demande de Sélection Permanente.

Who is affected by the latest change

  • Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under CUAET
  • Eligible family members of Ukrainians who arrived under CUAET
  • CUAET-related open work permit holders
  • Eligible people whose work permits are approaching expiry
  • Ukrainians who arrived on or before 31 March 2024
  • Certain people who were allowed to arrive by 31 December 2024 because their CUAET decision was delayed

What changed in the latest version

Before

Before, eligible Ukrainian people under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or similar measures had an earlier, unstated deadline to apply for work permit extensions. This deadline was linked to the first CUAET programme rules and arrival dates.

After

Ukrainian people and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or similar measures have until 31 March 2027 to apply to extend their work permit. They can extend it for up to three more years. To be eligible, they must have arrived in Canada on or before 31 March 2024. Or, if they are a CUAET holder, they must have been allowed to arrive by 31 December 2024. This applies if they did not get a decision in time for the 31 March 2024 deadline.

This change in policy is important. It gives ongoing stability and permission to work for a specific group of Ukrainian people and their families in Canada. The extension of the application deadline to 31 March 2027, and the chance for a three-year extension, gives these people a longer time to plan. This supports their ongoing contribution to the Canadian job market. The change for Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) holders with delayed decisions fixes a specific administrative problem. It makes sure that people affected by processing times are not unfairly punished. This measure lets them keep working while they are in Canada. It recognises that their stay is temporary.

Explained simply

Canada is giving Ukrainians who came here because of the war extra time to keep working. If you arrived by 31 March 2024 (or later if you were approved for CUAET to come by Dec 31, 2024), you now have until 31 March 2027, to ask for up to three more years on your work permit. This helps them stay employed while they are in Canada.

Frequently asked

Version history

  1. v1Effective 31 Mar 2026AnnouncementHigh impact
    Canada extends work permit application deadline for CUAET holders from Ukraine

    Canada has extended certain work permit rules for Ukrainian people and their family members. These are people who came to Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or similar measures. Eligible people now have until 31 March 2027 to apply to extend their work permits. They can extend them for up to three more years. To be eligible, applicants must have arrived in Canada on or before 31 March 2024. If CUAET holders faced delayed decisions, they may still be eligible if they were allowed to arrive by 31 December 2024. These new rules started on 31 March 2026. They apply to people who hold CUAET work permits.

Timeline

  1. Action deadline

    31 Mar 2027

    Eligible Ukrainians and their family members should prepare to apply for a work permit extension before 31 March 2027.

  2. Announced

    31 Mar 2026

    Canada announced an extension for eligible Ukrainians and their family members to apply for work permit extensions. Those who arrived under CUAET or related measures on or before 31 March 2024, or CUAET holders allowed to arrive by 31 December 2024, can now apply until 31 March 2027, for an extension of up to three years. This measure supports Ukrainians contributing to the Canadian labour mark

  3. Takes effect

    31 Mar 2026

    Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) or related measures have until 31 March 2027, to apply to extend their work permit for up to three additional years. Eligibility requires arrival in Canada on or before 31 March 2024, or, if a CUAET holder, permission to arrive by 31 December 2024, if a decision was not

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