What IRCC said on November 10
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a news release on November 10, 2026 with the first concrete figures for the humanitarian side of its 2027 time-limited measure. The measure was announced on November 5 with the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan and is described in Budget 2026 as a proposal to support people already in Canada. Our earlier article explains the two cohorts; this one covers what is new.
According to the release, the Minister met leaders of the Ukrainian and Hong Kong communities on Saturday, November 7 to explain the measure. The release says the 2027 permanent resident admission space aims to process every remaining application under two closed pathways:
- the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, closed to new applications on August 31, 2026, expected to result in up to 32,000 admissions;
- the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, closed to new applications on October 22, 2024, expected to result in up to 18,800 admissions.
IRCC stresses that these applicants are already in Canada, so they are not new arrivals, and that the space is in addition to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other targets of the Levels Plan.
The rest of the humanitarian cohort
The release's quick facts list the other groups IRCC would help move to permanent residence under the same measure, each with an "up to" ceiling:
- up to 12,600 people already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds;
- 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 the provinces and territories (the workers cohort).
The November 5 backgrounder had said the goal for spouses and partners outside Quebec is to bring wait times "closer to 12 months". The new release does not add a date for that.
There is nothing to apply for
The release repeats the point from November 5: the measure does not create new programs and does not reopen closed pathways. In IRCC's words, "Applicants do not need to do anything or contact IRCC for their applications to be processed using these additional spaces."
In practice, a Hong Kong stream A or stream B applicant, or a Ukrainian national who applied under the family pathway before October 22, 2024, keeps the same file and application number. There is no form and no fee for the measure itself. Anyone offering to "register" you for the 2027 space is not describing a real step.
What to do while you wait
Keep your temporary status valid. IRCC's Hong Kong pathways page says applicants with a pending permanent residence application can still apply for an open work permit; the Ukraine pathway page lists an open work permit, a study permit or an extension of stay as options for applicants in Canada. Check the current eligibility on the official page before applying.
Make sure IRCC has your current address, email and phone number, and answer any request for documents, a medical exam or a police certificate by the deadline. A file that is ready to finalize benefits first when space opens.
Two cautions. Every figure is "up to", and the release uses conditional language ("would allow"): it describes space in 2027, not a decision date for any one file. And it says nothing about Ukrainians in Canada on CUAET visas who did not apply under the family pathway; IRCC has announced no new pathway for them.
Official sources
- IRCC news release, November 10, 2026: Canada takes action to efficiently process existing permanent residence applications for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers
- IRCC backgrounder, November 5, 2026: Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system
- IRCC: Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents (closed)
- IRCC: Permanent residence for Ukrainian nationals with family members in Canada (closed)