Canada plans 50,800 PR spots for Ukrainians, Hong Kongers
The government aims to finalize the remaining applications by the end of 2027. If you have a pending application under either pathway, the proposal concerns existing applicants, not new applications. This is Canada’s proposed action to efficiently process existing permanent residence applications for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers.
What does Canada’s proposed measure mean for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers with pending permanent residence applications?
Quick answer: Budget 2026 proposes using permanent resident admission space in 2027 to process remaining applications from Ukrainians and Hong Kongers already in Canada, with a goal of finalizing them by the end of 2027.
- The estimate is up to 32,000 admissions for remaining Hong Kong pathway applications and up to 18,800 for remaining Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway applications.
- The Hong Kong pathways stopped accepting applications on August 31, 2026.
- The Ukraine pathway launched on October 23, 2023, and closed to new applications in October 2024.
- If your application is pending under either pathway, it falls within the proposed measure; it is intended to process existing applications.
What changed and when it starts
Budget 2026 proposed a time-limited measure to speed up processing of remaining permanent residence applications from Ukrainians and Hong Kongers already in Canada. It sets aside permanent resident admission space in 2027 for applications under both pathways, with the goal of finalizing them by the end of 2027.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab met with Ukrainian and Hong Kong community leaders on November 7, 2026, to provide details about the proposal. The announcement was dated November 10, 2026, in Ottawa.
The measure is additional to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category targets in the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan. The applicants are already in Canada and do not represent net new arrivals.
Who is affected and who is not
The measure applies to pending applications from people already in Canada under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways or the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway. It does not apply to new applicants: the Hong Kong pathways stopped accepting applications on August 31, 2026, and the Ukraine pathway closed to new applications in October 2024.
The Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway was for Ukrainian nationals in Canada who were immediate or extended family members of Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
Because the applicants are already in Canada, they do not count as net new arrivals.
Key dates and amounts
The table lists the admission estimates, pathway dates and processing timeline.
| Item | Figure or date |
|---|---|
| Remaining Hong Kong pathway applications | Up to 32,000 admissions |
| Remaining Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway applications | Up to 18,800 admissions |
| Hong Kong permanent residence pathways introduced | 2021 |
| Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway launched | October 23, 2023 |
| Ukraine pathway application deadline | October 22, 2024 |
| Ukraine pathway closed to new applications | October 2024 |
| Hong Kong pathways stopped accepting new applications | August 31, 2026 |
| Community meeting with the immigration minister | November 7, 2026 |
| Announcement date | November 10, 2026 |
| Admission space for both pathways | 2027 |
| Goal for finalizing remaining applications | End of 2027 |
What to do next
Identify your pathway. Check that your pending application is under one of the two pathways.
Keep track of your remaining application. The proposed measure would use permanent residence admission space in 2027 to process remaining applications under both pathways, with a goal of finalizing them by the end of 2027.
Read the official announcement. It outlines the proposed measure for applicants from both pathways. You can also use IRCC processing times for application processing-time information.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I confirm my application is under the Hong Kong or Ukraine pathway?
Check the pathway named on your permanent residence application: the measure covers pending applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways or the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
What happens if my application isn’t finalized by end of 2027?
The government’s stated goal is to finalize all remaining applications by the end of 2027, using permanent residence admission space in 2027. The announcement does not specify what happens to an application that remains unfinished after that deadline.
Related on CanadaEver:
- Immigration policy: latest news and guides
- Canada immigration targets
- IRCC processing times
- Canadian Citizenship Guide: Application Process and Requirements
What does the official page say about On Saturday?
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. Source: canada.ca
What does the official page say about this?
This includes permanent resident admission space in 2027 that aims to process. Source: canada.ca
