Canada Introduces New Work and Study Benefits for Ukrainians
The Canadian government has announced new temporary measures to help Ukrainians maintain legal status while their applications for permanent residence through the Family Reunification program are processed. These changes, initiated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), allow eligible Ukrainians to work and study, remove penalties for status violations, and simplify the process for restoring legal standing. This policy took effect on January 16, 2026, and will remain in place until March 31, 2027.
Key Eligibility Categories
The new benefits apply to two main groups:
- The first category includes individuals currently in Canada with valid temporary resident status, or those who applied to restore their status within the last 90 days.
- The second category covers individuals who held valid status when they applied for permanent residence but later lost it, or who had valid status within the 90 days before submitting their permanent residence application.
For those in the second scenario, the government has created a true 'green corridor'. This includes waiving penalties, which exempts them from consequences for working or studying without authorization or for overstaying their permitted time in the country. The simplified status restoration process removes the standard requirement to apply within 90 days of status loss. Applications for work or study permits can be submitted from within Canada until March 31, 2026, without the usual requirement to leave the country first.
The Family Reunification program, launched in 2023, has already received over 13,000 applications covering nearly 24,000 individuals. These new measures are designed to support Ukrainians facing difficult circumstances and to ease their integration into Canadian society. This initiative is part of Canada's broader response to the ongoing crisis in Ukraine.
The changes to Canada's immigration policy reflect the government's commitment to supporting Ukrainians seeking safe conditions for living and working.
These measures not only streamline administrative procedures for Ukrainian immigrants but also create better conditions for their social adaptation. As the Family Reunification program continues, the number of applications is expected to grow, which could positively impact the country's demographic situation.