Important!

Citizens of Ukraine can enter Canada on a CUAET visa until March 31, 2024 to be eligible for special support.

After March 31, Ukrainians will still be able to come to Canada on a CUAET, but without the right to work and financial assistance. 

Just a reminder: CUAET was stopped in the summer of 2023

Canada-Ukraine Authorization for emergency travel

The Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel (CUAET) is one of the many special measures the Government of Canada has introduced to support the people of Ukraine. It offers Ukrainians and their family members free, extended temporary status and allows them to work, study and stay in Canada until it is safe for them to return home.

Who could apply

- Ukrainian nationals

- family members of Ukrainian nationals (can be any nationality)

Family members are defined as:

- the spouse or common-law partner of a Ukrainian national

- their dependent child

- the dependent child of their spouse / common-law partner or

- a dependent child of their dependent child

Benefits and features of the CUAET

Ukrainians and their family members coming to Canada from overseas

- can apply for a free visitor visa and may be allowed to stay in Canada for 3 years, as opposed to the standard 6-month authorized stay for regular visitors

- have the option to apply, free of charge, for an open work permit with their visa application, enabling them to find work as quickly as possible

- will have their electronic visa application processed within 14 days of receipt of a complete application, for standard, non-complex cases

- are exempt from completing an immigration medical exam (IME) overseas, if applicable, but may be required to complete and pay for a medical diagnostic test within 90 days of arrival in Canada to screen for reportable communicable diseases (chest x-ray or suitable alternative and blood test)

Ukrainians and their family members who acquire or already have temporary status in Canada

- may apply to extend their temporary resident status for up to 3 years

- can leave and return to Canada at any time while their visa is valid

- may renew their work or study permit free of charge

- may apply for a new work or study permit free of charge

- are eligible to attend elementary and secondary school

- may be required to complete and pay for an immigration medical exam (IME) if they haven’t completed one on initial entry to Canada

All Ukrainians and their family members

- will have most of their application and processing fees waived, including the visa application fee, biometric collection fee, work and study permit application fees, and visitor extension, and work and study permit renewal fees

- will have all their IRCC applications prioritized for processing

- may apply for permanent residence under a variety of different immigration programs and streams if they are eligible to do so

- have access to IRCC’s dedicated service channel

All CUAET applicants remain subject to

- visa and travel requirements

- background checks (including biometrics) and security screening

Additional program details

1) The CUAET is for Ukrainians and their family members who want to come to Canada temporarily due to the crisis resulting from President Putin’s invasion of Ukraine, and then return home when it is safe to do so. It is not a refugee immigration stream.

2) Unlike applications for resettlement as a refugee and streams for permanent residence, there is no cap on the number of visa, work and study applications that we will accept under the CUAET.

3) Ukrainians and their family members working and studying in Canada will be able to gain valuable Canadian work or education experience to help set them up for future success should they eventually choose to seek permanent residency through IRCC’s immigration programs and streams.

4) IRCC has increased operational readiness in Europe in anticipation of an increased volume of requests. This includes relocating staff and moving additional supplies and equipment, such as mobile biometric collection kits. We are also adjusting operations in offices across our global network to ensure service continuity for Ukraine. Online options are available for most applications.

5) IRCC can issue a single journey travel document and a temporary resident permit overseas to permit travel for those without a passport or those who hold an expired one. This is done on a case-by-case basis, under exceptional circumstances and depending on the situation of the applicant. IRCC also has discretionary authority to assist in-Canada applicants with missing documents.

6) Recognizing that some immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents may want start a new life in Canada, IRCC is developing a special family reunification sponsorship pathway for permanent residence. The details of this program will be available in the coming weeks.

Employers wishing to support Ukrainians through offers of employment can register available jobs using Job Bank’s Jobs for Ukraine webpage. Job Bank is a free, bilingual website that provides employers with access to thousands of potential employees and offers a free and secure space for job postings.

7) IRCC will continue to engage with provinces, territories and other partners as to how they can contribute and support the effort, including settlement services. 

For more information on the CUAET and how to apply for special visas, permits and extensions, please visit IRCC’s Ukraine immigration measures page.

Avoid becoming a victim of fraud. There is no fee to be considered for the CUAET for Ukrainians and their family members. Only the Government of Canada can request personal information or decide your eligibility for the CUAET. There are no agents or consultants acting on our behalf.

For applying.