Canada expands work permit measures for Ukrainians amid ongoing crisis

Canada has introduced new measures to support Ukrainian nationals who came under emergency travel programs. The government now allows eligible Ukrainians to extend their open work permits until March 31, 2027. Officials made this move after earlier measures expired on March 31, 2026.

This decision gives thousands of people more time to stay and work legally in the country. Many families rely on these permits to build stable lives after leaving Ukraine.

Who Can Apply

The government has divided applicants into two main groups.

• Group 1 includes those who arrived on or before March 31, 2024.
• Group 2 covers those who arrived between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024.

Applicants must hold valid temporary resident status when they apply and when officials finalize their application.

Each eligible person can apply for only one extension under this policy. The government may issue that extension for up to three years.

Different Rules for Each Group

Each group follows different public policies.

For Group 1, the rules apply to those who already submitted applications under earlier emergency travel measures and still had pending cases as of February 4, 2024.

For Group 2, the rules include several updated policies. These policies remove certain immigration requirements, allow renewals of emergency travel permissions, and support access to work and study permits. They also cover new temporary resident applicants under the same program.

Officials designed these policies to make the process smoother and faster for those affected.

How to Apply

Applicants need to follow instructions provided by immigration authorities. They must first confirm which group they belong to before starting their application.

At the time of writing, officials plan to roll out these changes through a temporary public policy, though they have not yet published the full details.

Background on Emergency Travel Program

The government launched the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel in March 2022. This program offered a safe path for Ukrainians and their families after Russia invaded Ukraine.

Since then, around 300,000 Ukrainians have arrived in Canada under this initiative.

In early 2026, the government also introduced another policy. This policy allows certain Ukrainians who applied for permanent residence through family connections to receive work and study permits while waiting for decisions.

Broader Humanitarian Efforts

Canada continues to respond to global crises through temporary immigration policies. Officials have introduced similar measures for people affected by conflicts in Iran, Sudan, Gaza, and Haiti.

These actions show the country’s ongoing effort to provide support during difficult times.