Canada Immigration - Reminder - March 31st Deadline for Canada - Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) Entries and Extension Applications

March 31, 2024 is the final deadline under the CUAET special measures to enter Canada or file an extension to existing CUAET status in Canada.

The Background

The CUAET program was launched on March 22, 2022 in response to the Ukraine conflict. The program permitted eligible Ukrainian nationals and their family members to obtain a three (3) year visa with an accompanying work permit, study permit or visitor record and is set to end on March 31, 2024. There notably remain 250,000 applications pending adjudication with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). It is unclear how or by when these applications will be processed. The Canadian government has not proposed a revised entry date for these applicants that may have their applications approved after March 31st. No extension of the deadline is currently proposed by the Canadian government for in-Canada applicants who may wish to renew their existing work authorization under the CUAET program either. 

Initial entries to Canada

Those with a visa approved under CUAET must enter Canada by March 31, 2024 to be eligible to obtain a work permit, study permit or visitor record as well as various supports offered under the program. Those with a visa under CUAET who arrive on or after April 1, 2024, will need to meet the general requirements to enter Canada as a worker or visitor and won’t be eligible to receive support offered under the CUAET measures. These individuals will need to qualify for status on their own merits and may be limited to a 6 month stay in Canada. 

Extensions of CUAET Status in Canada

Those in Canada documented with a work permit, study permit or visitor record under the CUAET measures have until March 31, 2024, to apply to extend or change their temporary resident status in Canada through the CUAET measures. Due to the high volume of cases being filed and possible disruptions to the online filing portal, individuals should submit their applications a few days before March 31st in order to ensure that their applications are timely filed. All application fees will continue to be waived until March 31, 2024.

What this means for our clients

Companies employing foreign nationals holding CUAET work permits should be advised that the majority of these employees have expiring status in 2024 and must submit an extension application by March 31, 2024 in order to remain in status beyond the expiration of their work permit. Companies who are hiring individuals outside of Canada with an approved CUAET work permit should note that these employees must enter Canada to claim their work permit by March 31, 2024 in order to remain eligible to work.