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

What changed

On November 10, 2026, the Government of Canada announced a new time-limited measure to speed up permanent residence applications that are already in the system. The Minister shared the details with leaders of the Ukrainian and Hong Kong communities on November 7. The measure is part of the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and was proposed in Budget 2026, so check the official pages for final rules.

The goal is to process all remaining applications under two pathways that are now closed to new applicants. These are the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways and the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway. The government says the people in these files are already living and working in Canada, so they are not new arrivals.

Background

Permanent residence is the status that lets a person live and work in Canada on a long-term basis. Canada opened the Hong Kong pathways in 2021 to give eligible people from Hong Kong with recent Canadian education or work experience another route to permanent residence. Those pathways stopped accepting applications on August 31, 2026.

The Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway opened on October 23, 2023. It helped Ukrainians with immediate or extended family members who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents. Applications were accepted until October 22, 2024. Many applicants have waited a long time, and their status has been uncertain.

Key details

• Hong Kong pathways: up to 32,000 admissions, with admission space in 2027.
• Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway: up to 18,800 admissions, with admission space in 2027.
• Up to 12,600 people already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds could move to permanent residence.
• 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 provinces and territories.
• The measure does not create new programs or reopen closed pathways.
• You do not need to do anything or contact IRCC for your application to be processed using these spaces.
• For full eligibility rules and how spaces are assigned, check the official IRCC pages.

Who it affects

The measure mainly affects people already in Canada whose applications are still pending under the two closed pathways. The release also names these groups:

Whether you fit any group depends on your file, so check the official details.

• People already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds
• Spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents living in Canada
• Workers in Canadian communities and their eligible family members, through provinces and territories

What it means for you

If you have a pending Hong Kong or Ukraine application, this could mean a faster decision and more certainty about your status. The government says the aim is to reduce processing times and finish remaining files by the end of 2027. For example, a Ukrainian family member who has waited a long time for a decision may get one sooner because extra admission space has been set aside.

This measure would not help someone who wants to apply for the first time under these pathways, since they are closed and are not reopening. A person who never applied to the Hong Kong pathway, or a person outside Canada who hopes to use the Ukraine pathway now, would not gain a new route from this measure. The government also says it does not take spaces away from other vulnerable groups, including resettled refugees.

What to do next

A licensed consultant can review your file and tell you whether this measure applies to your situation.

• Confirm which pathway your application falls under.
• Check your application status through your IRCC online account or with your file number.
• Keep your contact details and documents up to date so IRCC can reach you.
• Watch the official IRCC pages for final rules, since the measure was described as proposed.
• Be cautious of anyone who promises faster results or a new pathway for a fee.