Canada launches a temporary measure for Ukrainians’ status, i.e., Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary measure to help Ukrainian nationals and their family members extend their legal status in Canada. This policy allows eligible individuals to apply for work permits and study permits that they may not normally qualify for.
These measures apply to Ukrainian nationals, their spouses, and their dependent family members who applied for permanent residence through the Temporary public policy to grant permanent residence to certain Ukrainian nationals with family in Canada.
To qualify for work permits or study permits under this policy, these individuals must fall into one of the following scenarios:
Scenario One
Be in Canada with valid temporary resident status, or have applied for restoration of status within 90 days.
Scenario Two
- Have had valid temporary resident status at the time their permanent residence application was submitted and have since lost that status, or have had valid temporary resident status within the 90 days before submitting the permanent residence application.
- Apply from within Canada on or before March 31, 2026.
Foreign nationals in scenario two are also exempt from being found inadmissible for having worked or studied without authorization or for overstaying in Canada. They are also exempt from the usual requirements for restoration of status, including the 90-day time limit.
Foreign nationals under both scenarios are exempt from the normal requirements to apply for work permits or study permits from within Canada.
This temporary public policy came into effect on January 16, 2026, and will remain in place until March 31, 2027.
Like all temporary public policies, it may be cancelled at any time.
Ukrainian nationals may apply for any of the above even if they have not yet received an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) for their permanent residence application.
If applying without valid temporary resident status, they must submit an application to restore their status at the same time as their work permit or study permit application.
Normally, IRCC requires people without a valid permit to apply for work or study permits from outside Canada, with only limited exceptions.
About The Temporary Public Policy To Grant Permanent Residence To Certain Ukrainian Nationals With Family In Canada
This temporary public policy was introduced in October 2023 and remained in effect until October 2024. It was designed to support families affected by Russia’s invasion of Ukraine.
To be eligible under this pathway, Ukrainian nationals had to have one or more family members in Canada who were Canadian citizens or permanent residents. They could also qualify if they were the spouse, common-law partner, or widow of an eligible Ukrainian national.
Applications for permanent residence under this policy had to be submitted from within Canada.
It is important to note that more than 13,000 applications were received through this pathway, representing nearly 24,000 people seeking permanent residence or permanent resident visas.
This public policy followed the launch of the Canada Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) in March 2022.
MakeHomeCanada, a Canadian immigration leader, promises excellence and tailored pathways for your Canadian journey. Get in touch with us at [email protected].
