Maple News reports that Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a new temporary policy aimed at supporting Ukrainian nationals and their immediate family members who are already in Canada. The initiative eases access to work and study permits—even for those who might not ordinarily qualify—and allows them to maintain legal status while waiting for permanent residency.
This policy specifically benefits Ukrainians who have applied through the federal government’s special permanent residence program for individuals with family in Canada. It enables eligible applicants to extend their temporary resident status, ensuring they can remain, work, or study legally in the country during the processing period of their permanent residency application.
To qualify under this policy, individuals must meet one of two outlined criteria:
Scenario one includes those who currently hold valid temporary resident status or have applied for its restoration within the past 90 days.
Scenario two covers individuals who had valid temporary status when submitting their permanent residency application and have since lost it—or had it within the 90 days prior to applying. These applicants must apply for the temporary benefit from within Canada no later than March 31, 2026.
Importantly, individuals who fall under scenario two are also exempt from being found inadmissible due to unauthorized work or study or overstaying their visas. They are not required to undergo the usual restoration process, including the standard 90-day time frame.
Applicants in both scenarios are exempt from the usual eligibility requirements normally required for in-Canada work or study permits. This allows more flexibility for Ukrainians trying to stay productive and involved in Canadian society as their future in the country is determined.
The policy came into effect on January 16, 2026, and will remain valid until March 31, 2027—unless revoked earlier, as is the case with all temporary public policies.
With over 175,000 Ukrainians having arrived in Canada under the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) since 2022, this move reflects Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting those displaced by the war in Ukraine. Maple News will continue to provide timely updates as immigration policies evolve.