Canada: applications to extend Ukrainians’ open work permits for up to 3 years are accepted until 31 March 2027

WHAT CHANGED From 1 April 2026 IRCC changed the special measures for Ukrainians and their eligible family members. Ukrainian nationals and eligible family members who arrived in Canada on or before 31 December 2024 may be eligible to extend their open work permit for up to 3 years. The conditions differ for arrivals on or before 31 March 2024 and arrivals between 1 April 2024 and 31 December 2024 (inclusive). The deadline to apply is 31 March 2027. [1, 2, 4, 5, 14] The work permit can be extended under these new measures only once. [3] WHO IS AFFECTED People who arrived in Canada on or before 31 March 2024 and hold a valid open work permit issued under a public policy for Ukrainians and eligible family members of Ukrainians. [4, 7] People who arrived between 1 April 2024 and 31 December 2024 (inclusive), only if their permit was issued under one of the policies for Canada–Ukraine authorization for emergency travel applicants whose applications were pending as of 4 February 2024. [5, 8, 9] Both groups must have valid temporary resident status in Canada and be in Canada both when they apply and when the decision is made. [6, 15] Temporary resident permit (TRP) holders are not covered by these measures: they apply for another TRP through the regular process and can ask to extend their open work permit together with it. [10, 16, 17] WHAT TO DO Apply online from within Canada with form IMM 5710: select “Open Work Permit”, enter “UKRAINE 2022” as the job title, and enter “Ukraine 2022 public policy—open work permit” in the Brief description of duties field. Answer “yes” to the question about an open work permit under an active public policy. Include a copy of your passport or travel document; upload the letter saying you apply under the 2026 Ukraine special measures and a copy of your work permit issued under one of the eligible public policies in the Client Information section. [20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27] Fees listed by IRCC (in Canadian dollars): 155 for work permit processing, 100 open work permit fee and, if you need to give biometrics, 85 per individual or up to 170 per family (if eligible). [12] A work permit cannot go past the expiry of your passport or biometrics; if they expire within 3 years, IRCC says to renew them before applying. If you cannot renew your Ukrainian passport in time, you can still apply and IRCC assesses the case individually. [11, 18] If your status expires while the extension application is processed, you are considered to have maintained your status; you must keep meeting the conditions of your expiring document. [13, 19] VERBATIM FROM THE SOURCE (English) [1] “If you’re a Ukrainian national or an eligible family member of a Ukrainian and you arrived in Canada on or before December 31, 2024, you may be eligible to extend your open work permit for up to 3 years.” [2] “Deadline to apply: March 31, 2027” [3] “You can only extend your work permit under these new measures once.” [4] “You arrived in Canada on or before March 31, 2024.” [5] “You arrived in Canada between April 1, 2024, and December 31, 2024 (inclusive).” [6] “You have valid temporary resident status in Canada.” [7] “You have a valid open work permit that was issued under a public policy for Ukrainians and eligible family members of Ukrainians.” [8] “To be eligible for these measures, you must have a valid work permit that was issued under one of the following public policies:” [9] “Temporary public policy for foreign nationals who applied under the Canada–Ukraine authorization for emergency travel measures and whose applications were pending as of February 4, 2024 – Extension” [10] “If you want to extend your stay in Canada, you need to apply for another temporary resident permit (TRP) through the regular application process, even if the issue that made you inadmissible has been fixed.” [11] “We can’t issue you a work permit that goes past the expiry of your passport or your biometrics. If your passport or biometrics will expire within 3 years, you should renew them before you apply.” [12] “Work permit processing $155 All applicants Open work permit fee $100 Open work permit applicants only Biometrics fee Individual: $85 Family: up to $170 (if you’re eligible) Check if you need to give biometrics” [13] “If you apply to extend your status and it expires before your application is processed You’re considered to have maintained your status.” [14] “As of April 1, 2026: Special measures for Ukrainians and their eligible family members have changed.” [15] “You’re in Canada when you apply for your work permit extension, and a decision is made on your work permit extension” [16] “Not including temporary resident permit holders.” [17] “If you have an open work permit that you want to extend, you can apply to extend it together with your TRP application.” [18] “If you want to extend your temporary resident status in Canada but you can’t renew your passport in time, you can still submit an application. We’ll assess these applications on a case-by-case basis.” [19] “You must continue to meet the conditions described in your expiring document.” [20] “Complete the Application to Change Conditions, Extend my Stay or Remain in Canada as a Worker (IMM 5710)” [21] “select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit you’re applying for in the Details of Intended work in Canada section” [22] “enter “UKRAINE 2022” as the Job title” [23] “enter “Ukraine 2022 public policy—open work permit” in the Brief description of duties field” [24] “a letter that says you’re applying under the 2026 Ukraine special measures” [25] “a copy of your passport or travel document” [26] “a copy of your work permit issued under one of the public policies for Ukrainians and eligible family members of Ukrainians” [27] “I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC.” Source: IRCC (canada.ca) — https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/ukraine-measures/open-work-permit-extension.html Quotes checked against the official source on 25.10.2026.