SNOW TV NEWS DESK
Canada has announced a time-limited immigration measure that could grant permanent residency to up to 100,000 foreign workers and their eligible family members already living in the country, as the government moves to address application backlogs and retain people contributing to its economy.
The announcement, made by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) on Tuesday, November 10, 2026, forms part of the country’s broader 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan, which aims to make the immigration system more sustainable while providing greater certainty for migrants awaiting decisions.
Under the initiative, the government intends to create additional permanent residence admission spaces in 2027, targeting workers who have already established themselves in Canadian communities and are waiting for their applications to be processed.
The worker category will cover applicants under selected immigration programs, including the Atlantic Immigration Program, Start-up Visa Program, Self-Employed Persons Program, Agri-Food Pilot, and home care worker programs.
Provincial and territorial governments will also be involved through increased Provincial Nominee Programme allocations, allowing them to recommend eligible workers based on their regional labor market needs.
Beyond workers, 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 living in Canada.
Another 12,600 people who have already been found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds are expected to benefit.
Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab said the initiative would help Canada honor existing commitments while improving the efficiency of its immigration system.
She explained that the measure would also provide greater certainty for people from Hong Kong and Ukraine who have been waiting to secure permanent residency.
Hong Kong and Ukrainian applicants included
As part of the announcement, Canada intends to process all outstanding applications under its Hong Kong permanent residence pathways, which closed to new applicants on August 31, 2026. The applications could result in up to 32,000 permanent resident admissions.
The government also plans to clear outstanding applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, which stopped accepting new applications on October 22, 2024. This category could account for another 18,800 admissions.
Together, the two pathways represent a potential 50,800 permanent resident admissions.
Representatives of the Ukrainian and Hong Kong communities have welcomed the announcement, describing it as an important step towards resolving prolonged uncertainty for families who have already built lives in Canada.
What this means for immigrants
The announcement is particularly significant for foreign workers already living in Canada who have been waiting for permanent residency decisions. Obtaining permanent residence can provide greater long-term security, including the ability to plan careers, settle families, and build a future without the uncertainty associated with temporary immigration status.
However, the government stressed that the initiative does not establish new immigration programs or reopen pathways that have closed.
Eligible applicants will not need to submit fresh applications or contact IRCC to be considered under the additional admission spaces.
Canada also clarified that the initiative is focused on people already living and contributing to the country, meaning they will not count as new arrivals.
For prospective immigrants outside Canada, the announcement should not be interpreted as a new opportunity to apply for permanent residency. Instead, it reflects Canada’s decision to prioritize existing applicants and outstanding commitments while managing future immigration numbers.
“Sir Bartholomew White Ebe is a Lagos-based media personality, Music Artist, Producer, and a Relationship Coach and independent journalist. With over seven years of experience tracking political developments and cultural shifts in Nigeria, he specializes in local current affairs, grassroots politics, and community-driven reporting across Lagos State. As the founder and chief editor of Snow Multimedia Connect {SNOW TV}, he leads the editorial team to deliver verified, high-impact stories to digital audiences.”
Email: snowmediaconnect@gmail.com
