As of June 25, 2026.
The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was the largest emergency immigration measure in Canadian history, and it is widely misunderstood today. The program closed to new applicants in 2023, yet the work-permit extensions tied to it were renewed again in 2026 and now run into 2027. This guide sets out what CUAET was, the official numbers behind it, who can still extend their status, and where the permanent-residence routes stand. The headline figures come from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) data released under the Access to Information Act, request A-2025-73938.
Who this is for: Ukrainians in Canada on a CUAET-linked permit, their families, and anyone tracking how the program actually played out.
What is CUAET, and is it still open?
Short answer: It is closed to new applicants. CUAET launched on March 17, 2022, after Russia's invasion of Ukraine, as a fast, fee-free route for Ukrainians and their family members to come to Canada as temporary residents for up to three years. It granted open work permits, study permits, and visitor status outside the normal rules. IRCC stopped accepting new CUAET applications on July 15, 2023, and the program has not reopened. What continues are the in-Canada measures for people who already arrived, including the work-permit extensions covered below. IRCC explains the current measures on its immigration measures and support for Ukrainians page.
How many people came to Canada under CUAET?
Short answer: Close to a million applications, and hundreds of thousands of arrivals. According to IRCC data released under the Access to Information Act (request A-2025-73938), the program received 1,189,326 applications and approved 962,612, an approval rate of 82.2 percent, as of early April 2024. By May 31, 2024, 298,301 people had been confirmed in Canada under the measures: 239,912 on work permits, 45,597 on visitor records, and 10,626 on study permits. The scale dwarfs any other recent special measure. The table sets out the figures with the dates they reflect.
| CUAET measure | Figure | As of |
|---|
| Applications received | 1,189,326 | April 2, 2024 |
| Applications approved | 962,612 (82.2%) | April 2, 2024 |
| People confirmed in Canada | 298,301 | May 31, 2024 |
| On work permits | 239,912 | May 31, 2024 |
| On visitor records | 45,597 | May 31, 2024 |
| On study permits | 10,626 | May 31, 2024 |
| Permanent-residence applications received | 25,465 | May 31, 2025 |
These are operational figures that IRCC rounds and updates over time, so treat them as the official snapshot rather than a live count.
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.
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Disclaimer
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute immigration or legal advice. Immigration laws and policies change frequently. Each case is unique and outcomes depend on individual circumstances. Consult a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) before making immigration decisions.
