CUAET by the Numbers: 962,612 Approved, Extensions Now Run to 2027

Were CUAET extensions ended in 2026?

Short answer: No, they were renewed. A common belief is that the CUAET extensions stopped on March 31, 2026. They did not. On March 31, 2026, IRCC announced a new temporary public policy, effective April 1, 2026, that extended the work-permit measure rather than closing it. Eligible Ukrainians can now apply to extend or renew their open work permit until March 31, 2027, for a permit valid up to three years. The deadline that many expected to be the end became a one-year renewal instead. IRCC set out the change in its March 2026 work-permit announcement.

Who can still extend a CUAET work permit, and until when?

Short answer: Those already in Canada under the measures, until March 31, 2027. To extend or renew your open work permit, you generally need to have arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, hold valid temporary resident status, and hold a valid open work permit when you apply. People who were approved but allowed to arrive by December 31, 2024 are also included. Applications are made online, standard fees now apply, and a permit can be issued for up to three years depending on your passport validity. If your current permit expires while IRCC processes the extension, maintained status lets you keep working under the same conditions until a decision is made. The steps are on the IRCC extend your open work permit page.

Is there a CUAET permanent residence pathway?

Short answer: There are family-reunification permanent-residence streams, plus the general programs. CUAET was always a temporary measure, not a direct route to permanent residence. Canada created family-reunification permanent-residence pathways for Ukrainian nationals, and IRCC data shows 25,465 such permanent-residence applications received as of May 31, 2025. Beyond those streams, Ukrainians in Canada use the same permanent-residence programs as other skilled workers, mainly Express Entry and the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Canadian work experience built on a CUAET permit can strengthen an Express Entry profile. Because the work-permit extensions are temporary, plan the permanent-residence step early. IRCC describes the main economic route on its Express Entry page.

What happened to the free fees and settlement services?

Short answer: They ended in 2024 and 2025. The fee exemptions that made CUAET work and study permits free ended on December 31, 2024, so standard application fees now apply to extensions and new permits. The free settlement services that CUAET arrivals could access ended on March 31, 2025. The core support that remains is the ability to extend an open work permit until March 31, 2027. Budget for the standard fees when you plan an extension, because the fee-free phase is over.

Frequently Asked Questions About CUAET

These are the questions Ukrainians in Canada ask most often. In short: CUAET closed to new applicants in 2023, the work-permit extensions run to March 31, 2027, and permanent residence runs through family-reunification streams or the general economic programs.

Will CUAET be extended? The work-permit measure was extended on March 31, 2026 and now runs to March 31, 2027. IRCC has not announced anything beyond that date, so confirm the current deadline on the official pages before you rely on it.

Will Canada extend a work permit in 2026? Yes for eligible Ukrainians. If you arrived under the measures and meet the conditions, you can apply to extend your open work permit until March 31, 2027, for up to three years.

Is there a CUAET to permanent residence pathway? There is no automatic CUAET-to-permanent-residence conversion. Canada runs family-reunification permanent-residence streams for Ukrainians, and the general Express Entry and provincial programs are open to those who qualify.

Is Canada still accepting new Ukrainian refugees under CUAET? No. CUAET stopped accepting new applications on July 15, 2023. People outside Canada now use the regular immigration and refugee programs.

How can a licensed immigration consultant help with a CUAET extension or permanent residence?

Short answer: By timing the extension correctly and finding the permanent route that fits. Go Far Global is a licensed Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) firm in Toronto, regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC). We help Ukrainians extend their open work permit before the March 31, 2027 deadline, keep status while the application is processed, and assess whether a family-reunification stream, Express Entry, or a provincial program is the realistic permanent-residence path. Book a consultation to plan the next step.

This article is general information, not legal advice. Immigration rules and deadlines change. Confirm the current rules for your situation with a licensed RCIC and on the official IRCC website before you act.

Sources

• IRCC, Immigration measures and support for Ukrainians
• IRCC, Canada extends certain work permit measures for Ukrainians (March 31, 2026)
• IRCC, Extend your open work permit, Ukraine measures
• IRCC, Express Entry
• IRCC data released under the Access to Information Act, request A-2025-73938