Canada: what next after CUAET — work permit extension until 31 March 2027 and pathways to PR in 2026

On 31 March 2026 Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced that Ukrainians who came under the CUAET programme (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) and accompanying measures are getting another year. You can now apply to extend an open work permit until 31 March 2027, and the extended permit itself is issued for a term of up to 3 years. The CUAET programme itself for new arrivals closed back in 2024 — the current news concerns those already in Canada.

What exactly has changed

The new IRCC public policy is in effect from 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027. It extends the previous measure, which was due to expire on 31 March 2026. The key point: you can apply to extend an open work permit until 31 March 2027, and the new permit may be valid for up to 3 years.

IRCC emphasises that these measures — like CUAET itself — are temporary and may be cancelled without notice. They allow Ukrainians to continue working legally in Canada while the public policy is in effect.

Who is eligible

• Ukrainians and their family members who arrived in Canada by 31 March 2024 inclusive.
• CUAET holders who did not receive a decision in time to arrive by 31 March 2024 but who were allowed to enter by 31 December 2024 also fall under these measures.
• The applicant must have a valid temporary resident status both at the time of applying and at the time of processing (the decision).
• Under these measures, only one extension of the work permit per person is allowed.

Important about application timing

Apply while your current permit is still valid. If you apply before the term expires, you will be able to keep working under the same conditions while IRCC processes your application (so-called maintained status). Note: the fee exemption for work and study permits ended on 31 December 2024 — standard fees now apply.

What about study permits

This particular measure concerns work permits. Those who want to extend their stay as a visitor or extend a study permit are advised by IRCC to use the regular procedures for applying, rather than the special Ukrainian measures.

Is there a pathway to permanent residence (PR)

As of 2026 there is no separate "Ukrainian" pathway to permanent residence. The special family PR route for Ukrainians with relatives in Canada closed to new applications on 22 October 2024. Applications submitted before that date continue to be processed by Canada.

Therefore, to move to PR, Ukrainians now use general immigration programmes:

• Express Entry / Canadian Experience Class (CEC) — for those who have gained Canadian skilled work experience;
• Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP) — provincial nominee programmes whose conditions depend on the specific province.

The extended open work permit (up to 3 years) gives time to build up the Canadian work experience required for these programmes. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) welcomed the extension but continues to insist on creating a separate pathway to PR for displaced Ukrainians; there is no official decision on this yet.

What to do now

1. Check the expiry date of your current work permit.
2. If you meet the criteria, apply to extend it by 31 March 2027 and be sure to do so before the expiry of your current permit.
3. If you are planning PR — assess your eligibility under Express Entry/CEC or your province's PNP.
4. Rely only on the official IRCC page, as conditions and fees may change.