Canada 2025 for Ukrainians: visas, open work permits, citizenship

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(CANADA) Canada is keeping a key support track open for many Ukrainians already in the country, while closing the door to new emergency entries under the Canada‑Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel. Ottawa ended new CUAET applications on December 31, 2024, but Ukrainians approved under the program who arrived on or before March 31, 2024 can still extend their work permits, study permits, or visitor status until March 31, 2026. Those arriving after March 31, 2024 must use regular immigration channels and pay standard fees. Free settlement services for Ukrainian temporary residents and their families continue until March 31, 2025.

The policy shift matters for families weighing safety, work, and school plans in 2025. It gives CUAET holders extra time to keep legal status and jobs, after the government moved the work visa renewal deadline from March 2025 to March 2026. Many Ukrainians cannot return home due to the ongoing war, and this extension helps them stay stable in Canada while planning their next steps, including permanent residence.

Policy changes overview

CUAET was designed as an emergency pathway offering fast, temporary residence measures for people from Ukraine. While new applications have closed, the government will process existing cases submitted on time.

For those already in Canada under CUAET and who arrived by March 31, 2024, the core benefits remain in place through March 31, 2026:

• Open work permits up to three years for eligible Ukrainians, allowing work for any employer in Canada without job‑specific limits.
• Extensions of study permits and visitor status through the same March 31, 2026 deadline.
• Continued access to free settlement services—including help with housing searches, job readiness, and language training—until March 31, 2025.

According to analysis by VisaVerge.com, the extension to 2026 is a practical step that reduces the risk of sudden status loss and job interruption for Ukrainians who built lives in Canada over the last two years. People who do not qualify under CUAET, or who miss the 2026 deadline, must use the standard work permit process, which can include employer compliance checks and, in some cases, medical exams.

For Ukrainians who arrive in Canada after March 31, 2024, there is no special intake under CUAET. They need to apply through regular immigration pathways, pay standard government fees, and meet program‑specific criteria. This marks a clear transition from emergency measures to routine programs as Canada reassesses its temporary measures for people affected by the war.

Ottawa’s information hub for Ukraine measures remains the central reference point for eligibility, deadlines, and services. Readers can consult the official Government of Canada page for current instructions and updates.

Impact on applicants

The shift affects Ukrainians in two main groups.

1) Those who arrived by March 31, 2024 (CUAET participants)

• Can apply to extend status until March 31, 2026.
• May receive an open work permit valid up to three years, enabling movement between employers to find suitable hours and roles.
• Can extend study permits or visitor status to avoid gaps that interrupt education or family routines.

Practical benefits:
– Parents can better balance work and school placement for children.
– Students can maintain study plans without losing legal status.
– Continuity eases daily life for families dealing with trauma, housing changes, or loss of networks.

2) Those who arrive after March 31, 2024

• Must use regular immigration pathways and pay standard fees.
• Should expect typical timelines and program rules for temporary or permanent immigration.
• May need to secure an employer that meets compliance rules for certain work permits.
• Should budget for medical exams or other program‑specific requirements where applicable.

Documents, passports, and practical steps

All applicants—CUAET or regular—need to keep passports and civil documents valid. Delays in Ukrainian passport renewals can slow or block permit extensions.

Key actions to avoid problems:
1. Keep passports and IDs current; renew early.
2. Keep copies of all documents (passports, birth/marriage certificates, job records).
3. If a passport expires before a permit end date, be ready to seek an amendment or a new permit with updated passport details.

Free settlement services through March 31, 2025 help eligible families adjust. Typical supports include:
– Job search coaching and résumé workshops
– Language training and community connections
– Help with rental agreements, school registration, and finding health care

These time‑limited services can make the difference between short‑term hardship and a smoother start in Canada.

Effects on employers, schools, and local governments

• Employers gain a more reliable timeline for staffing as CUAET workers extend permits through 2026.
• Colleges and universities can plan for returning students.
• Municipal services can prepare for steady demand in areas with high Ukrainian settlement.

The extension softens some of the uncertainty caused by the war and reduces churn in local labor markets.

Moving from temporary to permanent status

For those not covered by CUAET extensions or seeking long‑term status, permanent residence programs are the main route.

Common options in 2025:
– Express Entry (federal skilled programs)
– Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)
– Family reunification (sponsorship)

Typical requirements and considerations:
– Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm foreign degrees.
– Language tests: IELTS for English or TEF for French.
– Documenting work experience and proof of funds.
– PNPs may target specific skills or require job offers.
– Family streams require sponsors to meet income and other rules.

Citizenship becomes possible after permanent residence. Core citizenship rules:
– Physically present in Canada for at least 1,095 days (three years) within the five years before applying.
– File taxes if required.
– Pass a citizenship test (rights, duties, basic facts about Canada).
– Show language ability in English or French.

Practical checklist for those planning the move to PR or citizenship:
– Timing: Align permit expiry dates with Express Entry or PNP submission to avoid gaps. Note the March 31, 2026 cut‑off for CUAET extensions.
– Evidence: Maintain records of employment, pay stubs, schooling; ensure vital documents are current and translated if needed.
– Language: Book IELTS or TEF early — scores affect eligibility and ranking.

Considerations for families still abroad

The end of new CUAET intake affects relatives and families who had hoped to arrive under the emergency route.

• They must prepare for standard temporary visas or permanent residence options, which require more time and planning.
• Sponsors in Canada should check program rules early and gather proof of relationships and financial support if using family streams.

Risks and recommended strategy

Those ineligible for CUAET extensions or arriving after the cutoff need to shift to regular permits. This may involve:
– Employer compliance checks
– Medical exams in some cases
– Longer processing timelines

Recommended approach for 2025:
– Build a two‑track plan: maintain legal status under CUAET where possible and simultaneously prepare for permanent residence (Express Entry, PNP, or family sponsorship). This reduces the risk of status gaps if job or family situations change.

“Stability—steady work, school routines, and community ties—helps families heal from the stress of war and displacement.” The 2026 extension aims to support that stability for those who arrived earlier, while Canada returns new arrivals to normal program rules.

Main takeaways for 2025

• If you hold CUAET status and came by March 31, 2024, you can apply to extend your status until March 31, 2026, including an open work permit of up to three years.
• If you arrive after March 31, 2024, you must use standard immigration programs and pay regular fees.
• Free settlement services are available through March 31, 2025.
• Keep passports valid, watch deadlines, and start early if you plan to move into permanent residence and, later, citizenship.

Canada’s blend of extended protection for earlier arrivals and a return to regular programs for new applicants sets the course for 2025. For families affected by the war in Ukraine, it provides time to breathe, work, study, and plan a future—whether that means staying in Canada long term or keeping options open while conditions at home remain uncertain.