A new temporary public policy effective January 16, 2026 lets Ukrainian nationals with pending family reunification PR applications maintain legal status, obtain open work permits, and extend study permits — even before receiving an acknowledgement of receipt.
Canada's IRCC launched a new temporary public policy on January 16, 2026 to protect the legal status of Ukrainian nationals who applied for permanent residence through the Ukrainian Family Reunification Pathway (which was open from October 2023 to October 2024). The measure ensures that eligible applicants and their family members can remain in Canada legally, work, and study while their PR applications are processed — without needing to wait for a formal acknowledgement of receipt.
Background: The Ukrainian Family Reunification Pathway
Since Russia's full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, Canada has welcomed over 280,000 Ukrainians under various special measures. The Ukrainian Family Reunification Pathway — a dedicated permanent residence route for Ukrainians with family members already in Canada — opened in October 2023 and closed in October 2024. Many applicants are still waiting for a decision, and some have seen their temporary resident status expire in the interim. This new policy addresses exactly that gap.
Who Qualifies
There are two eligibility scenarios:
- Scenario A — Valid Status: You are in Canada with valid temporary resident status (or have applied for status restoration within 90 days) AND you applied for PR through the Ukrainian Family Reunification Pathway
- Scenario B — Lost Status: You had valid TR status when you submitted your PR application, then lost it. You must apply from within Canada by March 31, 2026. Scenario B applicants receive special exemptions from inadmissibility for unauthorized work/study and from standard restoration requirements
- Your immediate family members (spouse/partner, dependent children, parents) accompanying you in Canada are also covered
What the Policy Allows
- Apply for a new open work permit — allowing you to work for any employer in Canada
- Renew or extend an existing work permit
- Apply for a new study permit
- Extend or restore temporary resident status
- Apply even before receiving an acknowledgement of receipt on your PR application
- Application fees waived for eligible extensions under this policy
Key Dates
- Policy in effect: January 16, 2026
- Deadline for Scenario B (lost-status) applicants: March 31, 2026
- Policy expiry: March 31, 2027
What to Do Now
If you or a family member applied for PR through the Ukrainian Family Reunification Pathway and your temporary resident status is expiring or has recently expired, act promptly. Scenario B applicants face a hard deadline of March 31, 2026. Do not wait for your PR acknowledgement of receipt — this policy explicitly allows you to apply for TR extensions and work/study permits before that document arrives.
ITC iLand's licensed RCICs are experienced in Ukrainian immigration measures and can review your status, confirm your eligibility under this policy, and prepare your application. Book a free consultation as soon as possible if your permit is nearing expiry.
