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Canada has announced plans to speed up the processing of approximately 50,800 permanent residence applications from Ukrainian and Hong Kong nationals already living in the country.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) announced the measure on November 10, 2026, as part of the country's 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan.
First proposed in Budget 2026, the time-limited initiative is intended to clear longstanding backlogs under two permanent residence pathways that are no longer accepting new applicants.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab met with Ukrainian and Hong Kong community leaders on November 7 to explain the measure.
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The initiative will provide additional permanent resident admission spaces in 2027 to process outstanding applications under the two closed pathways.
The Hong Kong permanent residence pathways stopped accepting new applications in August 2026. The remaining cases could result in up to 32,000 permanent resident admissions.
Meanwhile, the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway closed to new applications in October 2024. Applications still awaiting decisions could account for up to 18,800 admissions.
