published on 30 January 2026 @ 2:21 pm · COMMENT

Canada Launches Temporary Measure to Help Ukrainian Nationals Maintain Status

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced a temporary public policy to make it easier for certain Ukrainian nationals and their family members to maintain legal status in Canada while their permanent residence applications are processed. This policy allows eligible individuals to obtain or renew work permits and study permits, even if they would not normally qualify, ensuring they can continue living, working, and studying in Canada.

The policy applies to Ukrainian nationals—and their spouses, common-law partners, or dependent family members—who have applied for permanent residence under the family-based pathway. To qualify for work or study permits under this policy, applicants must fall into one of the following scenarios:

1. The applicant is currently in Canada with valid temporary resident status or has applied for restoration within 90 days of losing their status.

2. The applicant lost temporary resident status after submitting their permanent residence application, or within 90 days prior to submitting the permanent resident application and must apply for restoration of status on or before March 31, 2026. Applicants in this scenario are also exempt from inadmissibility for unauthorized work or study and from certain timing requirements for restoration.

This temporary measure will remain in place until March 31, 2027, unless revoked earlier. It provides stability for thousands of Ukrainians and their families in Canada, allowing them to maintain legal status, work, and study while awaiting permanent residence decisions under the pathway introduced in October 2023.

filed under: IMMIGRATIONPERMANENT RESIDENCE