Hong Kong and Ukraine PR Applications: IRCC Plans to Clear Remaining Files in 2027
Hong Kong and Ukraine PR: what IRCC announced
On November 10, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) said it plans to process all remaining Hong Kong and Ukraine PR applications using extra admission space in 2027. If you applied under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways or the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway and are still waiting, IRCC now has a stated goal of processing your remaining file with this added space. IRCC says you do not need to do anything or contact IRCC.
The plan is part of a new time-limited measure proposed in Budget 2026 and tied to the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan. It also covers some spouses, partners and dependent children of Canadians who are living in Canada, people already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds, and workers and their families, in collaboration with the provinces and territories.
Key points
- IRCC aims to process all remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, expected to result in up to 32,000 admissions.
- It also aims to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, expected to result in up to 18,800 admissions.
- The space comes through a humanitarian cohort under a time-limited measure for people already living in Canada.
- Applicants do not need to do anything or contact IRCC for their files to be processed with this extra space.
- The measure does not create new programs or reopen closed pathways.
- The space is in addition to the Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other targets in the levels plan, and IRCC says it does not displace other vulnerable populations, including resettled refugees.
What changed
Both pathways are already closed to new applications. The change is about finishing the files IRCC already holds. The new measure adds permanent resident admission space in 2027 that IRCC says will let it process these applications faster and reduce processing times.
| Pathway | Opened | Closed to new applications | Expected admissions (2027 space) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hong Kong permanent residence pathways (Stream A and Stream B) | 2021 | August 31, 2026 | Up to 32,000 |
| Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway | October 23, 2023 | October 2024 (deadline October 22, 2024) | Up to 18,800 |
In the news release, Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the measure “will allow us to deliver faster on our promises to people from Hong Kong and Ukraine.”
What did not change
- Neither pathway is reopening. If you did not apply before the deadline, this measure does not give you a new way in.
- No new pathway has been announced for Ukrainians in Canada on CUAET status. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress said it raised this issue with the Minister, but IRCC has not announced any program for this group.
Who is affected
Hong Kong pathway applicants
The pathways opened in 2021 for eligible Hong Kong nationals in Canada with recent Canadian education (Stream A: in-Canada graduates) or Canadian work experience (Stream B). IRCC says it will keep processing applications it accepted on or before August 31, 2026. Applicants under these pathways had to intend to live in a province or territory other than Quebec.
According to IRCC’s pathway page, you can still apply for an open work permit so you can keep working while your permanent residence application is processed.
Ukrainian family reunification applicants
This pathway was for Ukrainian nationals in Canada with temporary resident status who are immediate or extended family of a Canadian citizen or permanent resident. That included spouses, common-law partners, parents, grandparents, siblings, children and grandchildren. It did not require a financial undertaking. Applications submitted by October 22, 2024, that are still waiting are among the remaining applications IRCC aims to process.
Other people covered by the same measure
The time-limited measure is broader than Hong Kong and Ukraine. IRCC says it would also help transition:
- 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 who are living in Canada
- up to 100,000 workers and their eligible family members through a separate workers cohort, run with the provinces and territories
For spouses and partners going to provinces and territories outside Quebec, IRCC says the extra space should help bring wait times in the spouse or common-law partner class closer to 12 months.
Under the workers cohort, provinces and territories would get more Provincial Nominee Program allocations. They would also be able to identify workers with pending applications under select federal programs, including the Atlantic Immigration Program, the Start-up Visa Program, the Self-Employed Persons Program, the Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programs.
What it means in practice
For most Hong Kong and Ukrainian applicants, the main change is greater certainty: IRCC now has a stated goal of processing these remaining applications with space set aside in 2027. IRCC also notes that because these applicants are already in Canada, they do not represent net new arrivals.
Some things to keep in mind:
- It is still a plan. The release describes a measure “proposed” in Budget 2026 and uses words like “would” and “aims to.” IRCC has not yet published details on timing within 2027 or the order files will be processed in.
- Faster processing is not the same as approval. The release talks about processing applications faster. It does not say every application will be approved.
- “Up to” is a ceiling. The admission figures are what IRCC expects the remaining applications to result in, not a promise of a number of approvals.
What to do now
- Do not submit a new application or contact IRCC just because of this news. IRCC says no action is needed for files to be processed with the extra space.
- Keep your temporary status in mind. Hong Kong pathway rules required applicants to have valid temporary resident status and be in Canada both when they applied and when permanent residence is granted. Hong Kong applicants can look at the open work permit option IRCC describes.
- Watch for messages from IRCC. Keep your contact information current so you do not miss any request about your file.
- If you missed a deadline, consider whether other routes such as Express Entry, a provincial nominee program or family sponsorship may fit you, rather than waiting for these pathways to reopen. IRCC has said this measure does not reopen closed pathways.
What is still unknown
- Exactly when in 2027 files will be finalized. Statements from an MP and from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress refer to the end of 2027, but IRCC has not yet published a schedule.
- Whether there will be any permanent residence option for Ukrainians on CUAET status who did not qualify for family reunification. IRCC has not announced one.
- How provinces and territories will pick workers under the workers cohort. IRCC has not yet published details.
How Manuleaf can help
Waiting on a permanent residence decision while managing work permits and family plans is stressful. Our licensed consultant, Mandeep Kaur Bambrah (RCIC #R706879), can review where your file stands, help you plan around your temporary status and prepare complete responses when IRCC asks for documents.
- Hong Kong pathway applicants who need to keep working can read about work permits.
- Spouses and partners of Canadians can learn more about family sponsorship.
- If you missed a closed pathway, our free general assessment can show which permanent residence options may fit your situation.
Manuleaf is not registered in Quebec and does not assist with the Quebec selection stage.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need to reapply or contact IRCC to benefit from this measure?
No. IRCC says applicants do not need to do anything or contact IRCC for their applications to be processed using the additional spaces.
Are the Hong Kong pathways or the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway reopening?
No. IRCC says the measure does not create new programs or reopen closed pathways. The Hong Kong pathways stopped accepting new applications on August 31, 2026, and the deadline for the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway was October 22, 2024.
How many people does IRCC expect to admit from these pathways?
IRCC expects remaining Hong Kong pathway applications to result in up to 32,000 admissions and remaining Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway applications to result in up to 18,800 admissions, using permanent resident admission space in 2027.
Can I keep working while my Hong Kong pathway application is processed?
IRCC says Hong Kong pathway applicants can still apply for an open work permit so they can work while their permanent residence application is processed.
Is there a new PR pathway for Ukrainians in Canada on CUAET status?
IRCC has not announced one. The Ukrainian Canadian Congress said it raised the issue with the Minister, but no new pathway was part of this announcement.
Official sources
- Canada takes action to efficiently process existing permanent residence applications for Ukrainians and Hong Kongers
- Building a stronger Canada through a well-managed, predictable immigration system
- Closed: Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
- Canada launches pathway to reunite families and support Ukrainians
- Minister Mendicino announces opening of 2 new pathways to permanent residence for Hong Kong residents
Not sure how this affects your plans? Book a consultation with Mandeep Kaur Bambrah, RCIC #R706879, at Manuleaf Immigration in Surrey, BC. Call (604) 200-1167 or start a free assessment.
This article is general information based on official Government of Canada announcements, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; check your own situation with a licensed consultant.
