By Annette Ikponmwonba | November 12th, 2026
Key Points
· Canada is introducing a time-limited measure to transition up to 100,000 workers and their eligible family members already living in the country to permanent residence
· Up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada will also be able to obtain permanent residence
· Another 12,600 people already found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are expected to benefit
· The measure will also clear remaining Hong Kong pathway applications (up to 32,000 admissions) and Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway applications (up to 18,800 admissions)
· Applicants do not need to take any extra steps, and no new programmes or closed pathways are being reopened
· The measure is part of Canada’s 2027 to 2029 Immigration Levels Plan, announced by IRCC on Tuesday
Main Story
Canada is introducing a time-limited measure to transition up to 100,000 workers and their eligible family members already living in the country to permanent residents, as part of a wider plan to process applications for thousands of other migrants and families awaiting decisions. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced the measure on Tuesday.
The measure also allows up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada to obtain permanent residence. Another 12,600 people who have already been found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are also expected to benefit. The government said the measure would provide additional admission spaces in 2027 to speed up processing of applications from people already in the country.
According to an IRCC backgrounder, the workers’ category includes people who have already applied under selected federal programmes, including the Atlantic Immigration Program, Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programmes. Provinces and territories will also be able to nominate workers who meet their regional labour needs through increased Provincial Nominee Programme allocations. The workers’ cohort will be implemented in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, while the humanitarian cohort is meant to fulfil existing commitments, keep families together and reduce backlogs.
The Issues
The measure is framed as a way to honour existing commitments while returning immigration to sustainable levels. The government stressed that the people covered are already living, working and contributing in Canada, so they would not represent net new arrivals. It also said the measure does not create new programmes or reopen pathways closed to new applicants.
Hong Kong and Ukrainian applicants are a major part of the plan. Canada aims to process all remaining applications under the Hong Kong pathways, which closed to new applicants on August 31, 2026, resulting in up to 32,000 admissions. It also plans to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which closed on October 22, 2024, for up to 18,800 admissions. Together, the two groups account for a potential 50,800 admissions.
For many applicants, the key benefit is certainty. People waiting for decisions have struggled to plan around work, study and family, and the measure targets those who have already established themselves in Canadian communities.
What’s Being Said
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said: “Canada is building on its progress to return sustainability to our immigration system while honouring the commitments we made to those in need. The time-limited measure announced with our levels plan will allow us to deliver faster on our promises to people from Hong Kong and Ukraine, giving them certainty as they continue to build their lives and contribute to our country.”
MP Jean Yip said that after five years of advocacy alongside the Hong Kong community, a path forward had been achieved. MP Michael Ma said finalising all remaining applications by the end of 2027 is an important step toward giving families certainty. MP Yvan Baker said honouring commitments is the right thing to do and will strengthen the economy by ensuring businesses have the workforce they need.
Ukrainian Canadian Congress President Alexandra Chyczij welcomed the decision to address the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway backlog by the end of 2027, and said the community looks forward to continued dialogue on pathways for Ukrainians in Canada on the CUAET visa. Dr Henry Pang said the measure gives the Hong Kong community renewed hope and will unlock valuable healthcare manpower already in Canada.
What’s Next
Additional admission spaces will be made available in 2027, with the government aiming to finalise the remaining Hong Kong and Ukraine applications by the end of that year. Applicants do not need to contact IRCC to be considered, Attention will turn to how provinces and territories use their increased nomination allocations, and how quickly the backlogs actually clear.
Bottom Line
Canada is clearing a large backlog by granting permanent residence to people already living and working in the country, offering certainty to workers, families, and Hong Kong and Ukrainian applicants, while insisting the move does not open new pathways or add net new arrivals.
