Temporary public policy to facilitate continued access to open work permits and study permits for foreign nationals in Canada who arrived under the Canada-Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures

Background:

Since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has upheld steadfast support of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity against ongoing Russian aggression, and for the people of Ukraine.

On March 17, 2022, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) introduced the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) as part of Canada’s response to Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Approximately 300,000 people have arrived under the CUAET measures.

Public Policy Considerations:

The goal of this public policy is to continue our commitment to the thousands of Ukrainian nationals and their families who have sought temporary safe haven in Canada under the CUAET program and who continue to need to support themselves and their families while the war in Ukraine remains ongoing.

Therefore, I hereby establish that, pursuant to my authority under section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (the Act), there are sufficient public policy considerations that justify the granting of exemptions from the requirements of the Act and the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (the Regulations) listed below to foreign nationals who meet the conditions (eligibility requirements) set out below.

Conditions (eligibility requirements):

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption, from the requirements of the Act and Regulations identified, if the following conditions are met:

1. The foreign national:

• is a national of Ukraine or is a family member per the definition in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations of a Ukrainian national who
  • holds a temporary resident visa that was issued following a request for facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, or
  • holds a temporary resident permit that was issued following a request for facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, or
  • was granted temporary resident status following facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, and
• arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, and
• has valid temporary resident status; and
• has submitted an application for
  • a work permit under section 200 of the Regulations or an application for a work permit renewal under subsection 201(1) of the Regulations.

2. The foreign national:

• is a national of Ukraine or is a family member per the definition in subsection 1(3) of the Regulations of a Ukrainian national who:
  • holds a temporary resident visa that was issued following a request for facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, or
  • A temporary resident permit that was issued following a request for facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, or
  • was granted temporary resident status following facilitation under the Temporary Public Policy to Exempt Ukrainian Nationals from Various Immigration Requirements in Support of the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel, or the Temporary Public Policy to Renew the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel from April 1, 2023, and
• arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024, and
• has valid temporary resident status; and
• has submitted an application for
  • a study permit under section 216 of the Regulations from within Canada.

Provisions of the Act and the Regulations for which an exemption may be granted for foreign nationals meeting the conditions:

For the foreign national who meets the conditions listed in 1:

• Paragraphs 199(a)-(i) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a work permit after entering Canada;
• Paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations – the requirement to be described under this paragraph of the Regulations.

For the foreign national who meets the conditions listed in 2:

• Section 213 of the Regulations – the requirement to apply for a study permit before entering Canada;
• Paragraphs 215(1)(a)-(g) of the Regulations – the requirements that a foreign national must meet in order to apply for a study permit after entering Canada.

Other Admissibility and Selection Criteria

Foreign nationals eligible under this public policy are subject to all other applicable eligibility and admissibility requirements not exempted under this, or another, public policy.

Effective date and expiration

This public policy takes effect 3 business days after signature and applies to applications received on or after the day it comes into effect and applications that are pending on that day.

This public policy expires on March 31, 2025, and may be revoked at any time without prior notice.