Maple News reports that March 31, 2024, marked the final day for Ukrainian nationals to benefit from Canada’s Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) program—a major immigration initiative launched in response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine. With this deadline, Ukrainian citizens are no longer eligible to enter Canada under CUAET-specific benefits.
The CUAET program, introduced in 2022, provided a streamlined pathway for Ukrainians fleeing conflict to enter Canada through expedited visitor visas and gain access to work permits and social supports. According to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), close to 960,000 individuals were approved under the program, yet only about 248,700 have arrived in Canada as of February 2024.
As of April 1, 2024, Ukrainians arriving in Canada with a CUAET visa will be treated under standard Canadian immigration procedures. They will no longer be eligible for benefits previously extended through the special program, such as waived application fees, access to transitional support, or flexibility in changing their temporary status.
The March 31 deadline also applied to Ukrainians already living in Canada under CUAET. It was the final date to apply for extensions or changes in temporary resident status—and the last opportunity to apply for open work permits, study permits, or temporary stay extensions under post-CUAET transitional measures. These measures allowed individuals to continue living in Canada for up to three more years.
IRCC has stated that no further extensions of the emergency program are planned. Going forward, Ukrainians who wish to immigrate or stay in Canada will have to apply through standard immigration streams, such as family reunification programs, student visas, and economic class pathways.
Canada’s commitment during the emergency response was praised for offering broad access to temporary residency and work opportunities without a cap. At the same time, immigration experts have noted that many visa holders opted not to activate their CUAET visas due to family, employment, or safety decisions back home.
While the CUAET program has formally concluded, the Canadian government affirms that it will continue to support Ukrainian nationals through regular immigration channels. Ukrainians already in Canada are strongly encouraged to explore alternative pathways to maintain legal status and permanent residency options.
Maple News will continue to monitor policy shifts and provide updates around evolving immigration opportunities for Ukrainians and other groups impacted by global crises.