CUAET Deadline Extended

The Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) was introduced in March 2022 to help Ukrainians fleeing the war in Ukraine. The program was extended several times, and as of February 2025, some temporary measures are still in place. 

The CUAET application deadline has been extended to March 31, 2026. if you arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024. In this case, you can still apply for a new work permit, a new study permit, or an extension of your work permit.

If arrived after March 31, 2024, you can still apply for work or study permit but your application will be processed as a regular, non-CUAET, application with standard processing fees.

Background

The Canada–Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) is a special visa program introduced by the Canadian government in March 2022 to support Ukrainian nationals and their families in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. Since its launch in March 2022, over 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada, with many becoming permanent residents (PR) through various immigration pathways.

Here are some key points about the CUAET:

What CUAET Allows:

• Travel, study, and work in Canada: Ukrainian nationals and their families could live and work in Canada for up to three years.
• Open work permit or study permit: Applicants could apply for these permits to work or study in Canada.
• Extend temporary status: It was possible to extend temporary resident status in Canada under certain measures.
• Settlement services and supports: Access to various settlement services and supports.
• Free public education: Children could attend publicly funded schools for free.

Eligibility

• Ukrainian nationals and their family members: This included spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and other family members.
• Documentation for children: Birth certificates for children under 18 and a letter of authorization from the non-traveling parent were required.

Additional Support

Settlement agencies: These agencies helped with finding accommodation and registering children for school. Access to these settlement services is available for free until March 31, 2025.

This extension provides Ukrainians extra time to develop a PR strategy and the chance to gain additional Canadian work experience and improve their chances of improving Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores in Express Entry (EE).