The question of whether there are special offers for Ukrainians in Edmonton can be answered with a resounding yes. The current situation, which arose due to the invasion of Russian troops into Ukraine in 2022, has prompted the Canadian government, together with the provincial government of Alberta, to develop a comprehensive support system for Ukrainians arriving in Canada. Today, Canada and Alberta offer one of the most comprehensive and generous support programs for Ukrainians among all the leading countries in the world. These offers include financial assistance, employment programs, housing support, educational services, as well as specialized programs designed specifically for Ukrainians. This means that if you are Ukrainian and considering moving to Edmonton, you will have a significant amount of resources and support available to you in the first days, months, and even years after your arrival.
Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET) Program: The Basis for Assistance
The first and most important explanation is to understand what the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel program, or CUAET as it is more commonly known, is. This program was launched by the Canadian government in 2022 in response to the humanitarian crisis caused by Russia's invasion of Ukraine. CUAET allows Ukrainians and their family members to come to Canada as temporary residents for up to three years, with the possibility of extension. This is not a simple visitor permit — it is a comprehensive program that provides Ukrainians with everything they need to establish themselves in a new country.
One of the most important features of CUAET is that it allows Ukrainians to work in Canada without having to obtain a separate work permit. This means that when you come to Canada under CUAET, you already have the right to work, without having to submit additional applications or spend money on filing documents. You will also have the right to study at Canadian educational institutions without restrictions, which means that you can enroll in a university, college, or professional courses without any additional permits.
It is important to understand that CUAET also allows you to stay in Canada even if you do not have a valid Ukrainian passport. If you have lost your passport as a result of military action or have no way of obtaining one, Canada will issue you with a one-time document that will allow you to travel to Canada. This was an important decision because many Ukrainians fleeing the war left their homes without any documents.
Financial assistance for Ukrainians in Alberta
In addition to the opportunity to work and study, the Canadian and Alberta governments have developed several financial assistance programs specifically designed for Ukrainians arriving in Canada.
One of the most attractive offers is a one-time cash payment of $3,000 Canadian dollars for each adult and $1,500 for each child. This is paid to all Ukrainians arriving in Canada under the CUAET program, and it is a very significant help in the first days after arrival. This money can be used to pay for the first month's rent, purchase necessary household items, pay for utilities, or any other urgent needs. To receive this payment, you will need to have a Canadian bank account, as the money is transferred by direct deposit. However, the process of receiving this payment is simple, and you do not have to wait long for the paperwork to be processed.
In addition, Alberta has developed a program called the Ukrainian Evacuee Emergency Financial Support and Benefits program, which offers both one-time emergency assistance and monthly payments to Ukrainians who find themselves in difficult financial situations. If you have arrived in Alberta and find that you do not have enough money to pay for housing, food, or clothing, you can apply for this program. The program provides the following:
One-time emergency assistance may be provided for needs such as temporary housing, transportation, food, clothing, kitchen appliance repairs, home repairs, apartment rental deposits, utility bills, and other urgent needs. If you are in an emergency situation, you can call Alberta Supports or visit your local office and receive assistance the same day or the next day.
Monthly payments are available to Ukrainians who face significant barriers to employment and do not have sufficient income to meet their basic needs. The amount of the monthly payments depends on the composition of your household. For example, if you are a single adult with barriers to full employment, you can receive up to $1,000 per month. If you are a married couple with two children and both partners have barriers to employment, you can receive up to $2,026 per month. These payments will continue until July 31, 2027, or until your CUAET visa expires, whichever comes first.
It is important to understand that both of these programs — the one-time payment of $3,000 and the monthly assistance — do not affect your immigration application. This means that receiving this assistance will not be considered as intentionally or cumulatively qualifying for social benefits that could affect your ability to apply for permanent residence or citizenship in the future.## Employment programs designed specifically for UkrainiansIn addition to financial assistance, one of the most important offerings for Ukrainians in Edmonton is programs designed specifically to help you find a job and establish a professional career in Canada.The Connecting Ukrainians to Employment (CUE) Program is a free program specifically designed for Ukrainians who have come to Alberta through CUAET. This program is run by the Newcomer Centre, one of the largest institutions in Edmonton that helps newcomers. The CUE program provides completely free services to all Ukrainians, including career counseling, assistance with writing resumes and cover letters, interview preparation, information about Canadian workplace culture, and much more.When you join the CUE program, you first attend a free private orientation session, which is held every Monday from 10:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.. At this session, you will learn about all the programs and services available at the Newcomer Centre. Then you can join a four-day free workshop, where you will learn about Canadian workplace culture, how to write resumes and cover letters according to Canadian standards, how to prepare for interviews, and many other important skills for a successful job search. After completing the workshop, you will be assigned a personal career advisor who will work with you one-on-one to help you with resume writing, job search, understanding Canadian workplace culture, and other issues.Most importantly, the support does not end when you find a job. The CUE program provides ongoing support for 180 days after you get a job. This means that if you have any problems in the workplace, questions about workplace culture, or even if you want to change jobs, you will have an advisor to help you resolve these issues.
The CUE program offers services in both Ukrainian and English, which is very important for people who are not yet confident in their English skills. In addition, services are provided in person at the Newcomer Centre office in Edmonton, as well as remotely by phone or video conference, giving you flexibility in how you want to receive services.
Solomon College's Connections to Employment Program is another excellent program for Ukrainians. It is a 16-week intensive program that combines language training and job preparation. The program includes classroom sessions from 9:15 a.m. to 2:45 p.m. daily, Monday through Friday, and includes intensive workplace skills training, safety and first aid certification, and one-on-one coaching on finding and keeping a job. The program is completely free for Ukrainians under CUAET and starts every year in January, May, and September.
Education and Language Training Programs
In addition to employment programs, there are also numerous education and English language training programs available to Ukrainians.
Newcomers Essential Skills Training (NEST) is a 5-month comprehensive program designed to help you improve your basic skills so that you can more successfully find a job and participate in the community. The program includes training in reading, writing, listening, and speaking English, but also covers other important skills such as understanding Canadian culture, understanding the Canadian legal system, and much more. The program is completely free for recognized newcomers, including Ukrainians under CUAET, and you can receive financial support during your studies if you need it.
The LINC (Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada) Program is a program developed by the Canadian federal government to help newcomers learn English or French. The program is completely free and available to all newcomers, including Ukrainians. LINC offers classes for different levels of English, from beginner to advanced, so you can choose the level that best suits your needs.
Housing and Rental Support
One of the biggest challenges newcomers face in Edmonton is finding affordable housing. However, there is specialized support available for Ukrainians in this area.
Ukrainians in Alberta is an organization specifically designed to help Ukrainians arriving in Alberta with housing. If you have arrived in Alberta and need help finding housing, you can contact Ukrainians in Alberta via their email or fill out an online form, and they will help you find affordable housing.
In addition, Ukrainians have access to the same social housing programs and rent subsidies as other Albertans. This means that if you have a low income, you can apply for the Rent Assistance or Affordable Housing Program, which can help you reduce your rent costs.
Health and medical support
Health services are another area where Ukrainians receive specialized support. When you arrive in Alberta, you can register for the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan, which provides basic health insurance. However, in addition to this, until March 31, 2025, Ukrainians also had access to the Alberta Health Benefits (Ukrainian Evacuee) program, which provided additional health benefits, including dental care, eye care, prescription drugs, and other services. Although this program ended on March 31, 2025, Ukrainians can still apply for the Non-Group Coverage Plan or, if they are over 65, the Coverage for Seniors Program, which provide similar benefits.
Free settlement services
One of the most valuable offers for Ukrainians is access to free settlement services. All Ukrainians who come to Canada under the CUAET have access to free settlement services, which include information on housing programs, job search, understanding Canadian culture, language learning, and more. These services were previously available free of charge until March 31, 2025, but it is important to check the exact terms and conditions, as the program may be extended.
Organizations in Edmonton that specialize in supporting Ukrainians
In addition to federal and provincial programs, there are several organizations in Edmonton that are specifically designed to support Ukrainians and understand the unique needs of the Ukrainian population.
Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS) Edmonton is an organization that provides information and referrals to new Ukrainian immigrants on finding housing, finding work, obtaining a SIN card and Alberta Health Card, education, including English courses and universities, information on family benefit programs such as the Canada Child Benefit and Alberta Child and Family Benefit, and other services. UCSS also provides translation services and can help you understand other community and government organizations. They can be reached at (780) 471-4477.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC) is an umbrella organization that coordinates many programs and services for Ukrainians in Alberta. UCC has an office in Edmonton and can provide information about all available programs and services. They can be reached at (780) 414-1624.
Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) is a larger organization that provides services to all newcomers, including Ukrainians. EISA has a specialized team that understands the needs of Ukrainians and can assist with integration, job search, English language training programs, and other services.
Newcomer Centre — as mentioned above, this is an organization located in Edmonton that has developed the CUE program specifically for Ukrainians. They can be reached at (780) 424-7709 or by email at [email protected].
Opportunity to obtain permanent residence
One of the most important offers for Ukrainians who came to Canada under the CUAET is the opportunity to obtain permanent residence without having to return to Ukraine or leave Canada.
In October 2023, the Canadian government announced a new program that allows Ukrainians who are in Canada under CUAET and have relatives who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents to apply for permanent residence as part of the family reunification program. This means that if you have a spouse, parent, grandparent, brother, or sister in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident, you can apply for permanent residence through this program.
In addition, there is also the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program, which allows Ukrainians to apply for permanent residence through various streams, including a job offer stream and an education stream. If you have found a job in Alberta or studied at an educational institution in Alberta, you may be eligible for these programs.
Practical tips for Ukrainians arriving in Edmonton
When you arrive in Edmonton as a Ukrainian under the CUAET, it is important to understand some of the practical steps you need to take to make the most of all the opportunities available to you.
First, immediately contact one of the organizations that specialize in supporting Ukrainians. Don't wait a few days or weeks — as soon as you arrive, call UCSS Edmonton or contact the Newcomer Centre. They can provide you with information about all available programs and help you apply for the services you need.
Second, open a Canadian bank account as soon as possible. As discussed in previous sections, many programs require a Canadian bank account to receive financial assistance and wages. Most Ukrainians can open an account at major banks on the first day after arrival.
Third, apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN) as soon as possible. A SIN is critical for working, receiving social benefits, and many other services. You can apply for a SIN at the Service Canada centre in Edmonton.
Fourth, enroll in an English language program. Even if you already speak English, programs such as NEST or LINC can greatly improve your skills and help you better adapt to the Canadian workplace.
Fifth, actively look for work. The best way to establish yourself in a new country is to find a job as soon as possible. Take advantage of the CUE or Connections to Employment programs to get help finding a job. Don't expect to find a job that perfectly matches your previous career — you may need to start with a job that doesn't fully match your education or experience, but it's important to start working as soon as possible.
Final thoughts
Special offers for Ukrainians in Edmonton are very generous and comprehensive compared to what is available to other categories of newcomers. However, it is important to understand that these programs have specific terms and conditions, and some of them may be discontinued in the future. Therefore, if you are a Ukrainian considering moving to Edmonton, it is important to act as soon as possible to take full advantage of all available programs. Contact organizations such as UCSS Edmonton, Newcomer Centre, or Ukrainian Canadian Congress, which can provide you with detailed information about all available programs and help you start your new journey in Canada with maximum support.