Canada takes action to efficiently process existing permanent residence applications for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers

OTTAWA, ON, Nov. 10, 2026 /CNW/ -- Canada's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan builds on the government's progress to take back control over the immigration system and return immigration to sustainable levels. It also ensures the efficiency and integrity of the immigration system and provides greater certainty for applicants.

On Saturday, November 7, the Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, met with leaders of Canada's Ukrainian and Hong Kong communities to provide more details about the new time-limited measure proposed in Budget 2026 to support people already in Canada. This measure includes a humanitarian cohort that would allow Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to accelerate processing for thousands of Ukrainians and Hong Kongers in Canada waiting for permanent residence.

This includes permanent resident admission space in 2027 that aims to process

• all remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, which closed to new applications in August 2026. These applications are expected to result in up to 32,000 admissions.
• all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which closed to new applications in October 2024. These applications are expected to result in up to 18,800 admissions.

Those with applications processed under this time-limited measure are already here living, working and contributing to Canada but have faced significant wait times and uncertainty regarding their status. It is important to note that as these applicants are already here, they do not represent net new arrivals to Canada.

The additional spaces provided under the time-limited measure would allow the department to process applications faster, reduce processing times and fulfill our previous humanitarian commitments. This approach is part of a broader, ongoing recalibration of the immigration system, which includes continued reductions in the temporary resident population and improvements to processing times across IRCC's lines of business.

This time-limited measure is in addition to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category targets set out in the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and does not displace other vulnerable populations, including resettled refugees.

Quotes  
"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."
– The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship

"After five years of advocacy alongside the Hong Kong community, I am proud that we have achieved a path forward for the individuals and families who choose to call Canada home. I thank them for their patience and resilience. I know they will enrich our communities through their positive and lasting contributions to Canada."
– Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough--Agincourt

''Through my work with Hong Kong pathway applicants and their families, I have heard how difficult it is to plan for the future while waiting for a decision. I thank the community for its persistent, respectful advocacy. Finalizing all remaining applications by the end of 2027 is an important step toward honouring Canada's commitment and giving families greater certainty. I will continue working with the Minister and those who have already built lives and contributed so much to Markham–Unionville and communities across Canada.''
– Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham--Unionville

"Honouring our existing commitments is not only the right thing to do, it will also strengthen Canada's economy by ensuring Canadian businesses have access to the workforce they need to compete and by providing people the certainty they need to pursue the training and professional qualifications that will help maximize their contributions to Canada. The new immigration levels plan complements the reforms that we are making to restore sustainability to our immigration system while enabling people already contributing to Canada's economy to contribute even more."
– Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre

"The Ukrainian Canadian community welcomes the new measures announced by the government that will address the backlog of Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway applications by the end of 2027. We thank Minister Metlege Diab for taking the time to hear the perspectives of the Ukrainian community--including on permanent residence pathways for Ukrainians in Canada on the CUAET visa--and look forward to continuing dialogue with the Minister."
– Alexandra Chyczij, National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress

"The time-limited measure presented in this year's immigration levels plan gives our Hong Kong community renewed hope. By clearing the backlog for the Hong Kong pathways, Canada will not only honour its commitment, it will also unlock valuable health care manpower that is already here in Canada, contributing to our economy and public services. We are grateful to the Government of Canada and the many Hong Kong organizations and our supporters whose respectful advocacy helped make this measure possible."
– Dr. Henry Pang, physician and community representative

Quick facts

• Under the time-limited measure, IRCC would also help transition to permanent residence
  • up to 12,600 people who have already been found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
  • up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada
  • up to 100,000 workers in Canadian communities and their eligible family members, in collaboration with the provinces and territories
• This measure does not create new programs or re-open closed pathways. Applicants do not need to do anything or contact IRCC for their applications to be processed using these additional spaces.
• IRCC launched a special family reunification pathway to facilitate permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals in Canada who are immediate or extended family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents on October 23, 2023. Ukrainian nationals had until October 22, 2024, to submit their application for permanent residence under the pathway.
• Canada introduced permanent residence pathways in 2021 to give eligible Hong Kong nationals in Canada with recent Canadian education or work experience an additional opportunity to become permanent residents. These temporary pathways stopped accepting new applications on August 31, 2026.

Related product 

• Backgrounder: Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system

Associated links

• Budget 2026: Masters of our destiny
• Supplementary information for the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan

SOURCE Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada

Contacts for media only: Taous Ait, Senior Communications Advisor and Press Secretary, Office of the Minister, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]; Media Relations: People and Communications Sector, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, [email protected]