The Canada-Ukraine Emergency Travel Permit (CUAET), a program to support refugees from Ukraine, is still in effect. However, it is worth knowing about changes and updated conditions. Learn more about Ukrainians staying in Canada in 2024

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After the start of the full-scale russian invasion, Canada launched a program for the temporary relocation of Ukrainian citizens, CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel). According to official information, the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) approved 960,091 visa applications, on the basis of which about 300,000 of our fellow citizens arrived in the country.

According to the conditions, the acceptance of applications for the opening of this visa was completed in July 2023, and March 31, 2024 was determined as the end of the term when Ukrainians could enter Canada under the program.

What has changed for Ukrainians in Canada in April 2024? The Canadian government published an official comment on its page the other day. We talk about the new conditions for staying in Canada after March 31, 2024.

What conditions were available until March 31, 2024?

The CUAET program officially ended on March 31, 2024, which was the last day it was allowed to:

- Enter Canada to take advantage of all the benefits of the CUAET program (including financial assistance, free housing, etc.).

- Submit documents for a temporary residence permit within the framework of the program (for Ukrainians and their family members).

What will change after March 31, 2024?

The good news is that after March 31, 2024, the CUAET program is still running, but in a reduced form.

Support for Ukrainians in Canada after March 31, 2024

All Ukrainians who will arrive in Canada for the first time before March 31, 2025 will receive assistance from the host companies, namely, informational support, legal support, assistance with document preparation, support in finding a job, free courses in English or French, etc. However, companies will no longer meet Ukrainians at the airport and accommodate them in hotels for free for the first 2 weeks.

Also, depending on the category of persons, Ukrainians can count on the following assistance:

● Ukrainians who received visas after February 4, 2024 and have not yet arrived in Canada

According to the decision of the Canadian government, this category of citizens needs additional assistance, because they may not have enough time to come to Canada by March 31, 2024. Therefore, a certain relaxation was made for these Ukrainians, namely, they were allowed to arrive in Canada until July 31, 2024.

It is noted that these people will receive a special letter in which it will be indicated that your application has been extended and upon arrival in Canada you will be able to receive a free residence permit with the right to study or work for 3 years immediately at the airport.

We draw your attention! Ukrainians who came to Canada after March 31, 2024 will not be able to receive one-time financial assistance or free accommodation in a hotel for the first 14 days of their stay in Canada.

● Ukrainians who received a visa after February 4, 2024, but managed to enter Canada by March 31, 2024.

This category of refugees is exempt from paying the fee when obtaining or extending a work permit.

You also have the right to apply for one-time financial assistance until June 30, 2024. This is an important clarification, because many people arrived in the last days and still did not have time to issue all the documents and permits.

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● Ukrainians who applied for a visa under the CUAET program until July 15, 2023, but still have not received a decision (approval or rejection).

The country's government emphasizes that they are doing everything possible and soon everyone will receive an answer to their application. If the document is approved, you will receive the corresponding authorization by e-mail. After a positive answer, you will be able to come to Canada and issue a free residence permit with the right to work.

● Ukrainians who received visas by February 4, 2024 and flew to Canada by March 31, 2024.

You have the right to stay in Canada until your temporary residence permit expires. It will also be possible to extend it on general terms, that is, you will have to pay a fee in the amount of about 150 dollars.

Thus, Ukrainians who arrived in Canada in 2022 and whose two-year permit is about to expire can submit an online application and for $150 extend its validity for another 3 years.

Also, if you have not yet received one-time financial assistance, you can apply for it until June 30, 2024.

● Ukrainians who received visas before February 4, 2024, but arrived in Canada after March 31, 2024 or are still planning to move.

Citizens who have a visa obtained by February 4, 2024 and a letter stating that you have been approved for a work permit can enter Canada and receive a residence permit with the right to study or work at the airport. However, it is important that the validity period of your foreign passport exceeds 3 years.

An additional condition has also been introduced for this category of Ukrainians - a person must meet the general requirements for entering Canada: provide a foreign passport, a permit to enter Canada and other documents, as well as not have diseases that could pose a threat to Canadian citizens, not be a criminal and prove to the immigration officer your purpose of coming to Canada.

If you do not receive a work permit at the airport, after your arrival in Canada you can apply for this document online. However, the application review procedure takes about 3 months.

● Ukrainians who arrived in Canada on the basis of other migration programs (not under CUAET)

People who, for example, crossed the Canadian border on an old Canadian visa can also pay the fee and extend their work permit in Canada.

● If you were refused a visa

This means that you did not meet the requirements for temporary protection, but if you are still interested in moving to Canada, we advise you to explore the general migration programs.

Also, Canada is no longer accepting new applications for the CUAET program, so if you are interested in moving to this country, we recommend that you review the general immigration programs to choose the one that is right for you.

Importantly! From October 23, 2023, Ukrainians can apply for a new residence permit if you are in Canada and have a family member who is a citizen or permanent resident of Canada.

Therefore, to Ukrainians who will arrive in Canada after March 31, 2024, Canada will continue to issue residence permits with the right to work, but will not provide one-time financial assistance and free housing.

However, it is worth noting that financial assistance from the provinces remains. It applies to persons who, for example, are unable to pay rent on their own or who do not have a job. The amount of payments is set separately in each province.

Also, each province issues a health insurance policy (including for family members) to persons who have already worked for 6 months in Canada or have confirmation from the employer that they will work for him during the next 6 months.

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