Temporary protection in Edmonton for Ukrainians fleeing the war is mainly provided through the federal CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) program, which is combined with provincial and local support services for newcomers in Alberta. This is not refugee status in the traditional sense, but a special temporary permit that grants the right to legally reside, work, study, and access social services for several years. Edmonton, as the capital of Alberta, is the second largest city of arrival for Ukrainians after Toronto, and local services are adapted to the needs of the large Ukrainian community.
CUAET Program: Current Status and Opportunities
CUAET was launched in March 2022 as an emergency measure, but it closed to new applications on July 15, 2023. However, those who have already been approved can still enter Canada, and those who have already arrived by March 31, 2024, are eligible for an extended support package. For individuals already in Canada under CUAET, the government has extended the deadline to apply for status, work, and study permits until March 31, 2026, giving them additional time to plan for the future.
It is important to understand that temporary protection through CUAET entitles you to an open work permit for three years, free health insurance, access to schools for children, and settlement services, but does not guarantee automatic transition to permanent residence. For those who arrived after March 31, 2024, many benefits are reduced, and they must follow standard procedures.
First steps after arriving in Edmonton
Upon arrival in Edmonton, the first priority is to obtain the necessary documents for legal residence and access to services. You must visit the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) office at the airport or in the city to obtain confirmation of your status and work permits. At the same time, you should apply for a Social Insurance Number (SIN), without which it is impossible to officially find employment in Canada.
You can apply for a SIN online through the eSIN portal at sin-nas.canada.ca or in person at the Service Canada center in Edmonton. To apply, you must provide your passport, temporary resident status documents (work permit, study permit, or visitor visa), and a document confirming your address in Edmonton — this can be a utility bill, lease agreement, or letter from your employer. The processing time is 20 days for mail-in applications or same-day processing for in-person applications at Service Canada.
The next step is to register with the Alberta Health Care Insurance Plan. To do this, you need to fill out an online form or bring it in person to the registry office and provide documents confirming your temporary resident status, address in Edmonton, and personal information. The processing time can take two to four weeks, so it is important to apply as soon as possible. Children and adults who arrived under CUAET before March 31, 2024, are eligible for free medical care from the day of arrival.
It is important to note that the Alberta Health Benefits (Ukrainian Evacuee) program, which provided additional benefits in the form of free prescriptions and dental care, closed on March 31, 2025. However, Ukrainians can obtain alternative insurance through the Non-Group Coverage plan or programs for low-income individuals, depending on their income. For seniors aged 65+, Coverage for Seniors Program with free prescription coverage is automatically provided.
Housing Support and Accommodation
Edmonton offers several levels of housing support for Ukrainians seeking temporary protection. The federal program guarantees free accommodation for the first 14 days after arrival in hotels or special reception centers. After this period, Ukrainians can contact local services for assistance in finding long-term rentals.
The province of Alberta has allocated significant funds for settlement services, part of which is directed toward coordinating housing options for Ukrainians. Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (Edmonton) actively helps newcomers find housing by navigating the Edmonton rental market and working with local agencies. For those with limited financial resources, social housing programs and rental subsidies are available to all Alberta residents, including Ukrainians with temporary status.
You can also visit the Ukrainians in Alberta website or send an email to the address listed on the official Alberta portal for assistance with finding housing. It is important to note that although the rental market in Edmonton is cheaper than in Toronto or Vancouver, it still requires significant expenses. The average cost of renting a one-bedroom apartment is $1,200-$1,500 CAD per month, and a two-bedroom apartment is $1,500-$1,800 CAD per month. Many Ukrainians form groups of 3-4 people to rent houses together and reduce costs.
When looking for a rental, it is important to understand the rights and responsibilities of tenants in Alberta. Provincial legislation (Residential Tenancies Act) establishes clear rules regarding deposits, hiring, and termination of lease agreements. The security deposit cannot exceed half of the monthly rent and must be returned after the lease is terminated, provided that the apartment is left in good condition. Be sure to request a receipt for the deposit and keep all lease documents.
Financial assistance and social support
Ukrainians who arrived in Edmonton under the CUAET before March 31, 2024, are eligible for a one-time federal benefit of $3,000 for adults and $1,500 for each child. These funds are paid through Service Canada and are intended to cover initial expenses for housing, food, and basic necessities. To receive this assistance, you must open a Canadian bank account, which is another important step after arrival.
Opening a bank account in Edmonton is a simple process. Major Canadian banks and credit unions include Scotiabank, BMO, TD Bank, RBC, and ATB Financial. To open an account, you will need to bring your passport, work permit or visa from IRCC, and a document confirming your local address (utility bill, lease agreement, or letter from your employer). The account is opened almost instantly, and you will be given a debit card within 5-7 days. There is no minimum balance requirement or employment requirement.
In addition to federal assistance, the province of Alberta has introduced the Ukrainian Evacuee Emergency Financial Support and Benefits program, which provides one-time emergency payments and monthly assistance to individuals with limited resources. This program is valid until July 31, 2027, or until the CUAET visa expires, whichever comes first. The assistance covers the cost of food, housing, clothing, home appliance repairs, utilities, and even assistance in case of loss of housing due to non-payment of rent.
To receive provincial assistance, you must contact the Alberta Works offices in Edmonton or one of the financial centers, where staff will help you complete the application and assess your needs. The Alberta Supports Contact Centre also provides counselling in Ukrainian and over 100 other languages at 1-877-644-9992 (open from 7:30 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday to Friday). If you have an urgent need for money, you can contact the 24-hour Emergency Income Support Contact Centre at 1-866-644-5135.
It is important to note that the Transitional Assistance Initiative (Canada-Ukraine) is a federal program that provides one-time payments and other benefits to Ukrainians who have arrived under the CUAET. Information about this program is available on Canada.ca or through Service Canada.
Settlement Services and Support Organizations
Edmonton has a strong network of organizations that specialize in helping Ukrainian newcomers. Ukrainian Canadian Social Services (UCSS) Edmonton is a key player that provides comprehensive services: assistance in finding housing, employment, registering children in schools, obtaining a SIN and medical insurance, cooperation with the Ukrainian consulate and religious communities. Located at a publicly accessible address in Edmonton, UCSS begins working with individuals upon their arrival and accompanies them throughout the entire integration process.
The Edmonton Immigrant Services Association (EISA) offers free consultations on integration issues, language courses (ESL — English as a Second Language), assistance in preparing resumes, and job search. The Centre for Newcomers specializes in professional development and employer connections, which is especially important for those seeking employment in specific sectors. The organization offers English language courses, professional seminars, and practical training in Canadian-style job search.
The Consulate of Ukraine in Edmonton, located at 9707 110 St NW (contact via the consulate's website), provides consular services, assistance with passports, documents, and citizenship. It is important to note that due to the large number of requests, appointments may be booked several months in advance, but in urgent cases, you can contact the consulate directly with a detailed explanation of the reason for the urgency.
You can also contact the Catholic Social Services in Edmonton (10104 103 Ave NW), which provides resettlement and integration services for newcomers, including Ukrainians. This organization has developed language training and social integration programs for Ukrainians and is one of the oldest and most established settlement services in the region.
Employment and professional integration
One of the biggest advantages of CUAET status is the right to an open work permit, which allows you to work for any employer in any industry. Edmonton and the province of Alberta as a whole have a significant labour shortage in the construction, health care, agriculture, manufacturing, and service sectors. Ukrainians arriving under the CUAET are actively filling these vacancies, and local employment services are actively recruiting them.
There are several key resources you can use to find a job. The alis.Alberta.ca portal offers detailed information about job opportunities, vocational training courses, and the provincial labor market. Under the “Special Initiatives” section, you can select the “Jobs for Ukraine” filter to find employers who are actively considering Ukrainian candidates. The federal Job Bank (https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/) also has many job openings in Edmonton and Alberta.
Alberta Supports Centres across the province organize job fairs, seminars, and information sessions specifically for Ukrainians and other newcomers. Canadian Job Match is a federal government tool that helps you find jobs that match your skills and experience. In addition, the Employment Assistance Services Directory provides information on free vocational training and skills development programs.
The Ukrainian Employment Resource Hub, created by the Ukrainian Canadian Congress Alberta, is a specialized platform that helps Ukrainians find jobs, convert their qualifications to Canadian standards, and obtain the necessary certification. Many professions, especially in construction and services, do not require immediate retraining, allowing you to start earning money quickly. Pay in these sectors typically ranges from $18 to $35 per hour, depending on skills and experience.
For those with professional education (doctors, engineers, teachers, accountants, lawyers), the process of recognizing qualifications can be lengthy and require additional exams and internships. Alberta has begun preparations to expand opportunities for Ukrainians to participate in professional training and internship programs through the International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS) initiative, which helps speed up integration. The current processing time for qualification assessment is 4-6 weeks for the standard service.
Education for children and adults
Children arriving in Edmonton under CUAET are eligible to attend public schools free of charge, from preschool through Grade 12. The school registration process requires documentation of status, residential address, and medical insurance (although schools may also register children without insurance if it is submitted within a reasonable time). Ukrainian Canadian Social Services and the Edmonton Immigrant Services Association assist parents in gathering the necessary documents and finding the nearest school based on their place of residence.
Edmonton and its surrounding areas offer a variety of programs, including regular public schools, separate schools (Catholic and other denominations), private schools, and charter schools. It is important to note that there are schools in Alberta with Ukrainian language programs, allowing children to maintain cultural and linguistic ties to their homeland even while studying in Canada. You can enroll in school at any time of the year, although most schools open in late August or early September.
Free English language courses (ESL) are available for adults through federal and provincial programs and language centers. Adult learning centres such as NorQuest College and MacEwan University offer specialized programs for newcomers, including language courses, remedial programs, and vocational training. NorQuest College offers both daytime and evening ESL courses at various levels of difficulty, from absolute beginner to pre-professional.
The Language Assessment and Referral Centre (LARC) at Catholic Social Services provides free English language assessment and referrals to the best programs for each individual. In addition, the federal Language Instruction for Newcomers to Canada (LINC) program provides more intensive classes for newcomers who want to accelerate their language acquisition. CCI-LEX (Cultural Connections Institute – The Learning Exchange) also offers drop-in English classes, which means you can come without prior registration and with a flexible schedule.
It is important to note that until July 31, 2024, Ukrainians were eligible for childcare subsidies without income verification if they were used for work or study. After that date, the subsidy remains available, but with family income verification. The childcare program covers children up to 12 years of age who are not entering 7th grade, and the subsidy can cover a significant portion of the cost of a licensed preschool, home daycare, or school babysitting services.
Mental Health and Crisis Support
Many Ukrainians who have arrived in Canada are experiencing significant psychological stress due to the loss of their homes, separation from their families, anxiety about their loved ones in Ukraine, and the general trauma of leaving a war zone. It is important to recognize that PTSD (post-traumatic stress disorder), anxiety, depression, and other mental health disorders are real and serious problems that require professional help.
For mental health emergencies, you can contact Alberta Mental Health Support and Addiction Services at 1-877-303-2642 (available 24/7 and offering various language services). Health Link Alberta (811) can also be called for information about psychological services, trauma-informed care, and mental health. In addition, the Centre for Refugee Resilience at Calgary Catholic Immigration Society offers free counseling to people dealing with trauma and crisis.
There are also organizations in Edmonton that specialize in the mental health of immigrants and refugees. The Psychologists' Association of Alberta has developed a directory of psychologists who offer services to Ukrainians, many of whom can provide services in Ukrainian or Russian. Quantitative psychologists and psychiatrists offer low-cost or free services to those who cannot afford standard mental health costs.
It is also important to note that psychological trauma from violence and crisis in some cases requires specialized treatment, such as EMDR (Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing) or other trauma release techniques. Many traditional psychiatrists may not have experience working with war-related trauma and may need to refer you to a specialist. Ukrainian Safe Haven (website https://ukrainesafehaven.ca/) has developed a directory of mental health services across Canada, including Alberta, which can be a useful resource for finding the right help.
Important Deadlines and Status Renewal
For those already in Edmonton under CUAET, it is critical to meet the deadlines for submitting renewal applications. If you arrived before March 31, 2024, you are eligible to apply to extend your temporary status, work permit, or study permit until March 31, 2026, without paying the standard fees. This allows you to stay in Canada for another three years, even if your passport has expired.
To apply for an extension, you must complete the form online or send a paper copy to IRCC in Edmonton (the address can be found on the Canada.ca website). If you have not even had time to renew your passport, IRCC allows for an extension based on previous passport documents or an application for a special travel document. It is critical to apply at least 30 days before your current permit expires to avoid being forced to leave Canada.
After March 31, 2026, all renewal applications will be processed under the standard procedure with the payment of the applicable fees, which can range from $100 to $300 depending on the type of permit. Therefore, it is important to note that even one day before your permit expires without a new one, you may be considered an illegal resident of Canada, which may affect your ability to work, study, and receive services.
Pathways to Permanent Residence from Edmonton
For many people who came to Edmonton under the CUAET and recognized the benefits, security, and opportunities that life in Canada offers, a natural question arose: how can I stay here permanently? The answer: there is no automatic path to do so, but there are several routes through which people can move from temporary to permanent status.
One of the most popular routes is the Express Entry program, a federal system that processes applications from skilled workers for permanent residence. The main streams of Express Entry are the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC). To receive an invitation to apply through Express Entry, a candidate must score a certain number of points based on adaptability factors: age, education level, work experience (especially Canadian experience), language proficiency, job offer in Canada, and other factors.
People under CUAET who have arrived and started working in Edmonton have a significant advantage: they can accumulate Canadian work experience, which people applying for Express Entry from abroad do not have. One year of Canadian work experience in a skilled job (NOC skill level 0, A, or B) can give them an additional 35 to 40 points in Express Entry, depending on their family status. In addition, knowledge of English, which can be improved through free ESL courses, and Canadian experience significantly strengthen an individual's position for receiving an invitation to apply (ITA).
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) may also be available to some individuals, as Alberta, unlike some other provinces, has more opportunities to nominate Ukrainians and other skilled workers without permanent local experience. The Alberta Immigrant Nominee Program (AINP) has several streams for skilled workers who may meet the province's needs. If an individual received a nomination from the province, they could apply for permanent residence at the federal level with the support of the province, which greatly improved their chances of approval due to reduced processing times and higher scores in the Express Entry system.
For people with close relatives in Canada who were already citizens or permanent residents, the family sponsorship program was an option, but it should be noted that the special program for Ukrainians with Canadian relatives (Family Reunification Pathway) closed on October 22, 2024. However, Canadian relatives can sponsor you through the classic family sponsorship program if they are citizens or permanent residents and have sufficient income to provide financial support.
Finally, there is the possibility of applying on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C Grounds). These programs are designed to address situations that do not quite fit into the standard immigration categories, but where there are compelling reasons to consider temporary or permanent residence. For Ukrainians, the security situation in Ukraine, the presence of dependents in Canada, established family ties in Canadian society, work and social connections, and other factors could be considered grounds for accepting an H&C application. However, this is a long and unpredictable process that can take years, and the outcome is not guaranteed, so it should be considered as a last resort when other avenues are not available.
Practical tips for successful integration in Edmonton
To successfully obtain and maintain temporary protection in Edmonton, it is important to keep track of your status and documents. It is recommended that you keep copies of all important documents (passport, work permits, health insurance, lease agreement, employment and residence documents) in a safe place and, if possible, also keep digital copies in an electronic chat. UCSS Edmonton and other services can help you organize your documents and explain which documents are critical for maintaining your status.
In addition, it is important to establish local social and community connections. Edmonton has a well-developed Ukrainian community with a church, cultural centers, and sports organizations. Visiting these places not only allows you to maintain cultural connections, but also helps you make friends, get information about work through networking, and learn Canadian traditions and customs more quickly.
In addition, you should find out about the services available in your area. The Edmonton Public Library and other public libraries in Edmonton offer free access to computers, the internet, job search databases, snacks, and often special programs for newcomers and immigrants. This is especially important if you do not have your own computer or internet at home.
Finally, you should actively develop your English language skills, as this is key to success in the job market, interacting with government agencies, and simply living day-to-day in Canadian society. Although free ESL courses can sometimes have waiting lists, you should actively seek out all possible options, including drop-in programs, evening courses, and online classes, which allow people to set a pace of learning that suits them.
Conclusion
Obtaining temporary protection in Edmonton through the CUAET program gives Ukrainians fleeing the war the best opportunity to stay safely, work, and rebuild their lives in the first half of the 2020s, when the situation in Ukraine remains unstable. Edmonton, with its developed settlement services system, access to material assistance, and strong Ukrainian community, offers a relatively favorable environment for adaptation and integration. By being mindful of deadlines and procedures, actively utilizing available resources, and obtaining information about opportunities for permanent residency, Ukrainians can not only adapt to their new life in Edmonton, but also lay the foundation for long-term success in Canada, regardless of whether they decide to stay permanently or return to Ukraine when the situation allows.