
Update August 23, 2024: The government of Canada has further announced that CUAET holders who arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, now have until March 31, 2025 to apply for a new open work permit, extend their current open work permit or apply for a new study permit, subject to standard government fees.
Update August 21, 2024: The government of Canada has extended certain immigration measures that expired on March 31, 2024, for Ukrainians and their families. CUAET holders whose application was approved on or after February 4, 2024, now have until December 31, 2024, to travel to Canada, and those in Canada have until December 31, 2024, to apply for a fee-exempt study or open work permit in Canada.
March 22, 2023: Due to the continuing war in Ukraine, the government of Canada has announced it is extending immigration concessions for Ukrainian citizens. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) is extending the availability of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) as follows: Ukrainian citizens and their family members will have until July 15, 2023, to apply overseas for a CUAET visa, free of charge; anyone holding a CUAET will have until March 31, 2024 to travel to Canada under the special measures; and CUAET holders already in Canada will have until March 31, 2024, to apply to extend their temporary status, free of charge. The CUAET was launched in March 2022 and provides Ukrainian citizens and their immediate family members (of any nationality) seeking to enter Canada temporarily due to the crisis in Ukraine, an opportunity to apply to stay in Canada as temporary residents for up to three years and to apply for an open work permit, which allows them to work independently or for any employer in Canada, among other benefits.
This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen or send an email to [email protected].
Explore more at Fragomen
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
Media mentions
Partner K. Edward Raleigh explains that the Department of Labor’s Project Firewall expands H-1B oversight beyond individual complaints and increases the scope of employer compliance reviews.
Media mentions
UK Government Affairs Strategy Director Shuyeb Muquit examines how proposed settlement reforms could reshape the path to UK residency by extending qualifying periods and linking eligibility to individual contribution.
Podcast
Partner Cosmina Morariu and Business Immigration Manager Ayana Ibrahimi discuss critical immigration strategies underpinning healthcare-sector staffing in Canada, unpacking how recent policy, mobility and compliance developments are affecting employers and global talent pipelines.
Awards
Fragomen named Private Client Team of the Year at The British Legal Awards 2025, recognising the strength of our UK Private Client practice.
Media mentions
Partner Daniel Brown highlights rising deceptive practices in immigration and emphasizes stronger verification and compliance measures for employers.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Louise Senior highlights how proposed UK reforms could expand right to work checks across hospitality and reshape compliance for businesses.
Video
Rick Lamanna, Jake Paul Minster and Lunga Mani discuss Africa’s path to the 2026 World Cup.
Media mentions
Partner Louise Haycock notes that the UK’s new fast-track residency route for high earners could affect how businesses plan for immigration costs.
Blog post
Senior Manager Zaur Gasimov outlines Georgia’s stricter residence-permit requirements and enhanced monitoring measures introduced under the country’s 2025 immigration reforms.
Media mentions
Senior Manager Jonathan Hill explains why more UK universities are on UKVI student visa action plans and how extended timeframes help them address compliance issues.
Media mentions
Partner Karolina Schiffter explains why Poland has paused online residence permit bookings and returned to paper-based submissions.
Blog post
Senior Manager Ana Bessa Santos outlines Switzerland’s 2026 immigration quotas and what employers should expect across non-EU/EFTA, EU/EFTA and UK permit categories.
