Canada flag. Credit: etendard
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.
The measure, announced by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada on Tuesday, also provides for 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 for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are also expected to benefit.
The Canadian government said the measure would provide additional admission spaces in 2027 to accelerate the processing of applications from people already living in the country.
It said the workers’ cohort would be implemented in collaboration with provincial and territorial governments to address regional labour needs, while the humanitarian cohort would help fulfil existing commitments, keep families together and reduce application backlogs.
According to a backgrounder published by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the workers’ category includes people who have already applied under selected federal immigration 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 requirements through increased Provincial Nominee Programme allocations.
The government said the measure would help people who had already established themselves in Canadian communities but were waiting for permanent residence decisions.
Immigration minister
In a statement accompanying the announcement, 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.”
The announcement also provides for the processing of outstanding applications from Hong Kong residents and Ukrainians under previously established permanent residence pathways.
Canada government said it aimed to process all remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, which closed to new applicants on August 31, 2026.
The applications are expected to result in up to 32,000 admissions.
Ukraine family reunification pathway
It also plans to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which closed to new applications on October 22, 2024.
The applications are expected to result in up to 18,800 admissions.
This two groups account for a combined potential 50,800 permanent resident admissions.
Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt, said, “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.”
Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, said the measure would provide greater certainty for applicants who had been waiting for decisions.
“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,” he said.
Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, said the measure would also support Canadian businesses and the economy.
“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,” he said.
Ukraine, Hong Kong leaders react
The National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alexandra Chyczij, welcomed the decision.
Chyczij stated, “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.”
A physician and community representative, Dr Henry Pang, said the measure would also help address healthcare workforce needs.
“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,” he said.
The government said the measure would not create new immigration programmes or reopen pathways that had closed to new applications.
Applicants would not need to take any additional steps or contact Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada to have their applications considered under the additional spaces.
It added that the people covered by the measure were already living, working and contributing to Canada and therefore would not represent net new arrivals.
The measure forms part of Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which the government said was designed to return immigration to sustainable levels while improving processing times and providing greater certainty for applicants.
