IRCC posted a new temporary public policy on April 1, 2026 allowing certain Ukrainians and. their family members in Canada to apply for open work permit extensions from inside Canada.

The measure runs until March 31, 2027 and mainly helps people who previously. held CUAET-related work permits maintain work authorization and continue living and working in Canada.

• Certain Ukrainians and family members in Canada can seek another open work permit extension under a new IRCC public policy effective April 1, 2026.
• The policy is limited to people with valid temporary resident status and qualifying prior CUAET-related work permits.
• Applicants should review status validity, travel history, and prior permit category before filing from inside Canada.

IRCC Ukraine open work permit extension policy on April 1, 2026

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada has issued a new temporary public policy dated April 1, 2026 to facilitate extensions of open. work permits for certain foreign nationals in Canada who were previously covered by special immigration measures for Ukrainians and their family members. The official policy text confirms that it took effect on April 1, 2026 and will remain in force until March 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier. Applicants can review the full policy on the official source.

This is the main official immigration update posted today. At the time of checking, the Express Entry rounds page did not show a new latest round dated. April 1, 2026, so there is no new same-day Express Entry draw to report from IRCC’s official rounds page. Readers can monitor the official Express Entry rounds page for any later same-day update.

What changed today

The new policy creates a pathway for eligible applicants already in Canada to apply for another work permit renewal. from inside Canada, even where they rely on an exemption from paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations.

In practical terms, the measure is designed to help qualifying Ukrainian nationals and family. members keep working legally in Canada if they remain dependent on the special Ukraine-related measures.

The policy applies to applications received on or after April 1, 2026 and before March 31, 2027. It is not a broad new program for all temporary residents.

It is a targeted continuation measure for people tied to earlier Ukraine facilitation policies.

Who may benefit

IRCC set out two main eligibility tracks in the policy.

Track 1: Earlier arrivals under core CUAET-related measures

An applicant may qualify if they have valid temporary resident status, arrived in Canada. on or before March 31, 2024, hold a valid work permit issued under one.

of the listed CUAET or related public policies, apply from inside Canada for a. work permit renewal, and have not already received an exemption under this specific new policy.

Track 2: Applicants tied to pending-application measures

A second group may qualify if they have valid temporary resident status, arrived in Canada. on or before December 31, 2024, hold a valid work permit issued under one of the.

listed public policies for people whose Ukraine-related applications were pending as of February 4, 2024,. apply from inside Canada for renewal, and have not already received an exemption under this policy.

In both tracks, the applicant must still meet all other admissibility and selection requirements that are not specifically exempted by the policy.

Why this matters for affected applicants

For many Ukrainian nationals and family members in Canada, the central issue is continuity. A qualifying open work permit can affect employment, income, access to employer-sponsored opportunities, and overall legal stability in Canada.

This new measure gives a further official basis to seek continued work authorization from within. Canada rather than facing an immediate gap because earlier special measures expired or narrowed over time.

The policy also matters because it is narrower than some applicants may assume. It does not say that every Ukrainian temporary resident in Canada is eligible.

The person must fit the exact arrival-date and prior-work-permit conditions listed in the policy. That means document review will be critical before filing.

What applicants should do next

1. Confirm your current status

You should first confirm that you still have valid temporary resident status. The policy requires valid status at the time of application. If status has expired, the analysis becomes more complicated and applicants should assess restoration options carefully before moving forward. Related readers may also want to review status restoration in Canada.

2. Check how your current work permit was issued

The policy is tied to specific earlier public policies. Applicants should compare their current work permit history with the listed measures in the new policy text.

If the permit was issued under a different authority, eligibility may not exist.

3. Review your arrival date

The arrival date matters. One stream uses a March 31, 2024 deadline, while another uses a December 31, 2024 deadline. Applicants should not guess. They should verify their travel history and supporting documents before filing.

4. Prepare an in-Canada renewal application

The new measure is framed around applying for a work permit renewal from within Canada. Applicants should ensure their filing is complete and consistent, with records that show their current status, prior permit category, and identity documents.

5. Plan for a broader strategy

For some people, a work permit extension is only a temporary solution. Depending on family, language, work history, and province of residence, it may be sensible to. also evaluate longer-term options such as permanent residence pathways, employer-supported routes, or provincial nomination possibilities. Helpful related reading includes Provincial Nominee Program pathways, temporary resident to permanent residence options, and how to avoid status problems in Canada.

Facts

• The policy page is dated April 1, 2026.
• It took effect on April 1, 2026.
• It expires on March 31, 2027 unless revoked sooner.
• It is aimed at certain Ukrainians and family members in Canada with qualifying prior work permits under listed public policies.
• The exemption identified in the text relates to paragraph 200(1)(c) of the Regulations.

Analysis

This update looks like a continuation measure rather than a major expansion. IRCC appears to be preserving work authorization for a defined group already inside Canada, while keeping strict control over who qualifies.

The presence of detailed arrival-date cutoffs and references to specific prior public policies suggests the government is trying to. prevent a broad rollover for everyone while still addressing hardship for people who remain dependent on Ukraine special measures.

For affected applicants, the practical takeaway is positive but limited: there is still. an official route to keep working, but eligibility will likely turn on technical details.

For advisers and applicants, this is the kind of policy where small documentary issues can decide the outcome.

Bottom line

Today’s key official immigration development is IRCC’s new Ukraine-related temporary public policy for in-Canada open work permit extensions. It will be most relevant to Ukrainians and family members already in Canada who hold qualifying prior permits under earlier special measures.

Anyone potentially affected should review the policy wording carefully and prepare evidence before applying.

Book a consultation for an eligibility review or application strategy assessment.

This article provides general information and does not constitute legal advice.