How 100,000 workers could gain permanent residency in Canada

Up to 100,000 migrant workers already living in Canada could obtain permanent residency in 2027 under a new government measure targeting applicants who have applied through selected immigration programmes.

The initiative will provide additional admission spaces for workers who have established themselves in Canadian communities but are still awaiting decisions on their permanent residence applications.

Announced on Tuesday by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the time-limited measure is part of the country’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan.

The workers covered include applicants under selected federal immigration programmes, such as the Atlantic Immigration Program, Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programmes.

Provincial and territorial governments will also be able to nominate workers who meet their regional labour requirements through increased allocations under the Provincial Nominee Program.

The initiative is intended to help eligible workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy and communities secure permanent resident status without having to wait through existing application backlogs.

Their eligible family members are also expected to benefit from the measure.

In addition to the workers’ category, the government plans to provide permanent residency opportunities for up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are already living in Canada.

Another 12,600 people who have been found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are also expected to benefit.

Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the initiative would help the government fulfil existing commitments while making the immigration system more sustainable.

“Canada is building on its progress to return sustainability to our immigration system while honouring the commitments we made to those in need,” she said.

She added that the measure would also accelerate the processing of applications from people from Hong Kong and Ukraine who are waiting for permanent residence decisions.

“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,” Diab said.

The government also plans to clear outstanding applications under previously established permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents and Ukrainians.

For Hong Kong applicants, Canada intends to process all remaining applications under pathways that closed to new applicants on August 31, 2026. The applications are expected to result in up to 32,000 permanent resident admissions.

It also plans to conclude pending applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which stopped accepting new applications on October 22, 2024. The outstanding applications could account for up to 18,800 admissions.

Together, the two categories represent a potential 50,800 permanent resident admissions.

Jean Yip, Member of Parliament for Scarborough—Agincourt, welcomed the decision, describing it as the result of five years of advocacy alongside the Hong Kong community.

“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,” she said.

Michael Ma, Member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville, said the measure would provide greater certainty for applicants who had been waiting for decisions.

He said the government’s plan to finalise the outstanding applications by the end of 2027 would help families make plans and recognise their contributions to Canadian communities.

Yvan Baker, Member of Parliament for Etobicoke Centre, said the initiative would also support businesses by ensuring access to workers already contributing to the economy.

The National President of the Ukrainian Canadian Congress, Alexandra Chyczij, also welcomed the plan to address the backlog of applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway by the end of 2027.

Similarly, physician and Hong Kong community representative Dr Henry Pang said clearing the backlog could make more healthcare workers already living in Canada available to contribute to the country’s economy and public services.

IRCC clarified that the measure would not establish new immigration programmes or reopen pathways that had stopped accepting applications.

Eligible applicants will also not need to submit additional documents or contact the immigration department to have their applications considered under the additional admission spaces.

The government said the initiative focuses on people already living, working and contributing to Canada, meaning they would not represent new arrivals.

The measure is part of Canada’s 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to make the immigration system more sustainable, improve processing times and provide greater certainty for applicants.