Canada quietly activated a new public policy on April 1, 2026 that gives Ukrainian nationals on CUAET-based work permits another three years of work authorization — if they apply in time. Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab confirmed the extension in her April 18 interview, and the written policy is now live on the IRCC website. Here's what's actually in it.
What changed
Before April 1, CUAET work permit holders had a patchwork of end dates. Some were running out in mid-2026. Others had already applied for extensions that hadn't been processed. The new public policy — Open work permit extension policy for Ukrainian nationals in Canada (April 2026) — replaces that confusion with a single rule:
If you hold a CUAET-based work permit, you can apply from inside Canada for a new open work permit valid up to three years.
The policy is in force from April 1, 2026 to March 31, 2027. IRCC can revoke it earlier without notice, so acting sooner rather than later is the safer play.
Who qualifies
You're eligible to apply under this policy if all of the following are true:
- You're a Ukrainian national or a family member of a Ukrainian national
- You arrived in Canada on or before December 31, 2024 under the CUAET measures or the related post-CUAET public policies
- You currently hold a valid work permit issued under CUAET or one of the follow-up measures (or your permit recently expired and you're on maintained status)
- You're physically in Canada when you apply
If you arrived on or before March 31, 2024, you're in the main eligibility group. If your CUAET application was approved before the March 31, 2024 intake deadline but you were allowed to arrive between April 1 and December 31, 2024, you also qualify — a specific carve-out IRCC added because processing delays pushed some arrivals past the original cutoff.
What the new permit gets you
The new open work permit is employer-unrestricted. You can work for any employer in Canada, change jobs without telling IRCC, work full-time or part-time, and hold multiple jobs. No LMIA, no employer-specific permit.
The permit is valid for up to three years, though IRCC decides the actual duration based on your passport validity, medical exam status, and any other relevant factors. Most applicants should see a permit valid for the full three years if their passport runs that long.
The deadlines that matter
There are two separate application deadlines under this policy, and they depend on when you arrived:
| Arrival date in Canada | Deadline to apply for extension |
|---|---|
| On or before March 31, 2024 | March 31, 2026 (past — but maintained status applies if your permit is still active) |
| April 1, 2024 – December 31, 2024 | March 31, 2027 |
If your permit expired before you submitted your extension, maintained status still lets you keep working legally as long as you applied before the expiry date. If you missed the deadline and your permit has already expired, you may need to restore your status first — that process is separate and not covered by this public policy.
What it costs
The standard open work permit application fees apply:
- Work permit processing fee: $155 CAD
- Open work permit holder fee: $100 CAD
- Biometrics (if required): $85 CAD
Total: $340 CAD for most single applicants. Family members each pay their own fees. Check IRCC's fee list before submitting — fees were adjusted earlier this year and could shift again.
How to apply
The application is online through your IRCC secure account. The process:
- Sign in to your IRCC account — use the same one you applied with under CUAET if you have it.
- Start a new work permit extension application — select the option indicating you're applying under the Ukrainian public policy.
- Upload your documents:
- Copy of your current passport (biometrics page)
- Copy of your current work permit
- Proof of your original CUAET entry (stamp, approval letter, or previous permit)
- Digital photo meeting IRCC specifications
- Pay the fees — credit card, Interac, or PayPal.
- Submit biometrics if requested — IRCC may waive biometrics for those who already provided them in the past 10 years.
Processing time is currently averaging around 60 days, though IRCC hasn't published a firm service standard for this category.
What this doesn't cover
A few things the policy doesn't do — worth knowing before you assume anything:
It's not a path to permanent residence. The extension gives you more time to work in Canada, but you still need to qualify for PR through another route — Express Entry, a provincial nominee program, or a family sponsorship. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress has publicly asked Ottawa for a dedicated PR pathway for CUAET holders, but nothing of that kind has been announced.
It doesn't extend study permits. If you're a Ukrainian national on a study permit under CUAET, this policy doesn't apply to you. Study permits are extended under separate rules — you'll need to apply as a study permit extension through the regular channel.
It doesn't guarantee approval. You still need to meet standard admissibility requirements: no serious criminality, no misrepresentation, valid passport, etc. Most CUAET holders already meet these, but the officer still makes the final call.
If you're thinking about PR
An extended work permit buys you up to three more years — use them strategically if PR is your goal.
Build your Express Entry profile. A year or more of Canadian skilled work experience at TEER 0–3 qualifies you for the Canadian Experience Class, which currently has one of the more accessible Express Entry pathways (though cutoffs have been high in 2026). Run your score through the CRS Calculator to see where you stand.
Look at PNPs. Several provinces have streams that favor workers already established in the province. Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and New Brunswick have historically been friendly to workers in occupations matching their regional needs. Provincial nomination adds 600 CRS points — effectively a guaranteed invite.
Consider French. If you're comfortable with languages, 12–18 months of French study could qualify you for French-language Express Entry draws, which had cutoffs as low as 379 earlier in 2026 (though the most recent April draw jumped to 419).
Apply for the extension well before your current permit expires. Maintained status protects you if you apply on time, but the hidden risk is that if your old permit has already expired before you submit, you lose implied status and may need to stop working until the new permit is issued. File at least 30 days before expiry where possible.
What to do next
If you're on a CUAET permit and haven't applied yet:
- Check your current work permit expiry date — find the exact date on your permit document.
- Gather your documents in advance — passport, current permit, photo.
- Submit at least 30 days before expiry to avoid any maintained-status gap.
- Confirm whether biometrics are required by checking the IRCC biometrics tool.
If you've been in Canada long enough to qualify for PR through Express Entry or a PNP, this extension gives you runway to pursue both — keep the permit and work on the PR application in parallel.