Canada has announced a major immigration measure that could allow up to 200,000 people already living in the country to obtain permanent residence (PR) by the end of 2027.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed the measure on November 5, 2026, as part of Canada’s Budget 2026 and the government’s updated immigration strategy.
Unlike a new immigration program that accepts applications from around the world, the additional 200,000 places are intended for specific groups already living in Canada, including foreign workers, provincial immigration candidates, caregivers, family members, and individuals awaiting decisions under selected humanitarian immigration pathways.
The government has divided the measure into two main groups, with up to 100,000 places allocated to each.
Importantly, the additional places will be available outside Canada’s regular annual permanent residence admissions target.
200,000 PR Places
According to IRCC, the additional permanent residence spaces will be distributed between two groups:
| Immigration category | Additional PR spaces |
| Workers and accompanying families | Up to 100,000 |
| Family and humanitarian applicants | Up to 100,000 |
| Total | Up to 200,000 |
The measure is scheduled for 2027 only and is intended to help Canada process existing applications, retain workers and reunite families.
However, it does not automatically grant permanent residence to everyone currently holding a Canadian work permit, study permit or other temporary immigration status.
IRCC has specifically confirmed that this is not a new immigration pathway. Applicants will continue to be assessed under their existing immigration programs.
100,000 Worker Places
The first group covers up to 100,000 additional permanent residence admissions for eligible workers already living in Canada and their accompanying family members.
IRCC says this initiative will focus on workers living in communities outside Quebec, with the federal government working alongside provinces and territories.
The objective is to retain foreign workers who are already contributing to Canada’s economy, particularly in regions facing labour shortages.
The government has identified the following programs and categories.
1- Provincial Nominee Program
Workers who are eligible to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) may benefit from the additional admissions space.
Under the PNP, provinces and territories select immigration candidates whose skills, qualifications and experience meet their economic and labour market needs.
IRCC has confirmed that it will collaborate with provincial and territorial governments to provide additional nomination capacity.
This means provinces and territories may be able to nominate more suitable workers who are already living in their communities.
For example, a foreign worker employed in a Canadian province who meets the requirements of an eligible provincial immigration stream could benefit from the expanded nomination and admissions capacity.
However, eligibility for a provincial nomination does not automatically mean an applicant will receive permanent residence. Candidates must still follow the applicable provincial and federal immigration procedures.
The government has not yet published a province-by-province distribution of the additional 100,000 worker places.
2- Atlantic Immigration Program
The Atlantic Immigration Program (AIP) is also among the economic immigration programs identified in the government’s November 5 backgrounder.
This program supports employers and eligible foreign workers in Canada’s four Atlantic provinces:
- Nova Scotia
- New Brunswick
- Newfoundland and Labrador
- Prince Edward Island
The government says provinces and territories will be able to identify workers with applications already submitted under selected federal immigration programs, including the Atlantic Immigration Program.
The additional processing capacity could therefore benefit eligible applicants already awaiting decisions under this program.
It does not mean that all Atlantic Immigration Program applicants will automatically receive priority processing or approval.
3- Start-Up Visa Applicants
Foreign entrepreneurs who previously submitted permanent residence applications under the Start-Up Visa Program are among the groups identified for the additional spaces.
The Start-Up Visa Program was designed to attract innovative entrepreneurs who intended to establish businesses in Canada.
IRCC has specifically included pending applications under this program among the selected economic immigration files that may benefit.
Applicants who already have qualifying applications in the immigration system may therefore see their cases processed through the additional 2027 capacity.
However, the measure does not reopen closed application intake or remove existing program eligibility requirements.
4- Self-Employed Applicants
The Self-Employed Persons Program is another identified economic pathway.
This program has historically supported eligible individuals with relevant experience in cultural activities or athletics who intended to become self-employed in Canada.
Applicants who have already submitted qualifying applications and are awaiting decisions may be considered under the additional processing spaces.
The important distinction is that this measure is intended to assist existing applicants. It is not a new opportunity for individuals who have never applied under the program.
5- Agri-Food Pilot
The Agri-Food Pilot is also included among the selected economic immigration programs.
This pathway was established to help address labour shortages in Canada’s agriculture and food-processing industries.
Foreign workers who submitted eligible permanent residence applications before the program closed may benefit from the additional admissions capacity.
For individuals who have already spent years working in qualifying Canadian agricultural or food-related occupations, the measure could help reduce uncertainty surrounding their pending applications.
However, IRCC has not announced a separate number of places specifically reserved for Agri-Food Pilot applicants.
6- Home Care Workers
Caregivers are another group specifically included in the 100,000-worker cohort.
Canada’s home care worker immigration pathways have supported foreign nationals providing services such as home-based child care and home support.
Under the new measure, eligible applicants with pending permanent residence applications through selected home care worker pathways may be considered for processing.
This is particularly relevant to caregivers who have already submitted applications but have not yet received final decisions.
It is important to understand that the additional 2027 measure does not automatically reopen caregiver immigration pathways to new applications.
Only applicants meeting the relevant existing immigration requirements can benefit.
7- Workers’ Families
The worker allocation also covers accompanying family members.
This means eligible workers transitioning to permanent residence may be accompanied by qualifying family members included in their immigration applications.
For example, an eligible worker and their accompanying spouse and dependent children may obtain permanent residence through the same applicable immigration process.
The government’s figure of up to 100,000 refers to the number of people, not 100,000 principal workers plus an unlimited number of accompanying family members.
100,000 Humanitarian Places
The second group provides up to 100,000 additional permanent residence spaces for specific family and humanitarian applicants already living in Canada.
According to IRCC, many of these individuals have been waiting for immigration decisions for several years.
The objective is to reduce outstanding applications, maintain family unity and complete previous immigration commitments.
Four major categories have been identified.
1- Spouses and Children
One of the important beneficiaries of the new measure will be family sponsorship applicants.
IRCC has confirmed that additional spaces will be used to process permanent residence applications from:
- Spouses of Canadian citizens
- Spouses of Canadian permanent residents
- Common-law partners of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
- Dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents
These provisions concern qualifying individuals already living in Canada who have submitted permanent residence applications and are awaiting final decisions.
For example, a person living in Canada who has already applied for permanent residence through spousal sponsorship could benefit from the additional processing capacity.
However, the announcement does not establish automatic approval for every pending sponsorship application.
The government has also announced an important processing objective: bringing waiting times closer to 12 months for the spouse or common-law partner class destined for provinces and territories outside Quebec.
This is a processing goal, not a guaranteed 12-month decision deadline for every applicant.
2- Hong Kong Residents
Canada has also identified applicants under its special permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents.
These pathways were introduced to provide eligible Hong Kong residents with opportunities to settle permanently in Canada.
According to the government’s updated guidance, the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways closed to new applications on August 31, 2026.
IRCC now aims to process all remaining applications submitted under the qualifying pathways.
This means individuals who applied before the closure and are still awaiting decisions may benefit from the additional admissions capacity in 2027.
The announcement does not reopen the Hong Kong pathways for new applications.
3- Ukrainian Nationals
Ukrainian nationals who previously applied under Canada’s special family reunification permanent residence pathway are also included.
This pathway was created for eligible Ukrainian nationals with qualifying family members in Canada.
The government has confirmed that the pathway closed to new applications on October 22, 2024.
Under the new 2027 measure, IRCC aims to process all remaining applications submitted through this pathway.
For eligible Ukrainian nationals whose applications have been pending, the additional capacity could help them obtain final decisions.
However, the initiative does not create a new application period for people who missed the original deadline.
4- Humanitarian Applicants
The final identified group includes certain individuals who have applied for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate (H&C) grounds.
These applications may involve exceptional circumstances that justify consideration for permanent residence under Canadian immigration law.
However, the additional 2027 measure does not cover every person who has submitted an H&C application.
IRCC has specified that the applicants must already have received approval in principle.
Approval in principle generally means that an important initial assessment of the humanitarian application has been completed favourably, but final permanent residence requirements may still need to be satisfied.
Consequently, applicants who have merely submitted humanitarian applications, without approval in principle, should not assume that they qualify for these additional places.
The government intends to use the additional processing capacity to finalize qualifying cases.
Important Eligibility Conditions
The official government announcements establish several important limits.
First, this is an in-Canada measure intended for identified groups of people already living in the country.
Second, applicants must qualify through one of the existing immigration pathways selected by IRCC.
Third, many categories specifically relate to people who have already submitted permanent residence applications and are awaiting decisions.
Fourth, the worker cohort emphasizes regional labour market needs and eligible workers outside Quebec.
Fifth, there is no separately announced allocation for each individual program within the two groups of 100,000.
For example, the government has not specified how many of the worker spaces will be reserved individually for caregivers, entrepreneurs, Agri-Food applicants or provincial nominees.
Similarly, no separate numerical allocation has been announced for spouses, Hong Kong applicants, Ukrainian nationals or humanitarian and compassionate cases.
The precise distribution will depend on the measure’s implementation and applicable immigration requirements.
Do Applicants Apply?
One of the most important points is that eligible applicants do not need to submit a separate application to be considered under the new 200,000-place measure.
IRCC clearly states on its official information page that applicants are not required to take additional steps specifically for these temporary measures.
This means there is currently:
- No separate registration portal for the 200,000 places.
- No new application form specifically for the measure.
- No special application opening date for these additional spaces.
- No newly announced separate application fee for the measure.
Applicants with qualifying existing files should continue following IRCC instructions and responding to any requests concerning their applications.
People seeking nomination through the Provincial Nominee Program must still follow the relevant provincial and federal application requirements.
The measure should not be confused with a general invitation for all foreign nationals in Canada to apply for permanent residence.
Are Students Eligible?
International students are not identified as a separate beneficiary group under this time-limited measure.
Holding a study permit or a Post-Graduation Work Permit does not, by itself, qualify someone for the additional 200,000 places.
However, a former international student who is now working in Canada and satisfies the requirements of an identified immigration pathway, such as an eligible PNP stream, may be able to benefit.
The deciding factor is eligibility under the relevant immigration program, rather than simply having studied in Canada.
Similarly, foreign workers holding temporary work permits should not assume that every work permit holder will automatically qualify.
When Will It Start?
The government announced the measure on November 5, 2026, with the additional permanent residence capacity specifically allocated for 2027.
The stated objective is to help up to 200,000 eligible people already in Canada transition to permanent residence by the end of 2027.
As of November 7, 2026, the government has not announced a separate public application opening date for this measure.
Since it relies on existing immigration pathways, applicants are not being asked to register for a new program.
The government has also clarified that the measure is temporary and will not create an additional 200,000 permanent residence admissions every year.
Whether individual applications are finalized during 2027 will depend on eligibility, processing and the implementation of the measure.
Government Funding
Canada’s Budget 2026 includes proposed funding to support implementation of the transition measure.
The government proposes:
- CAD $302.3 million over four years, beginning in the 2027–2028 fiscal year.
- CAD $90.6 million in subsequent years.
This funding is intended to support the implementation of the initiative.
It should not be confused with money paid directly to eligible immigrants or a financial benefit available to applicants.
The 200,000 figure refers to additional permanent residence admissions capacity, not financial grants.
Previous PR Initiatives
The new 200,000-place measure is separate from two earlier one-time initiatives that Canada is continuing during 2026 and 2027.
Those earlier initiatives include:
33,000 workers: An initiative intended to accelerate permanent residence for selected workers already contributing to Canadian communities, particularly in sectors and regions facing workforce shortages.
Up to 115,000 protected persons: An initiative to process permanent residence applications from eligible protected persons in Canada and their in-Canada dependants.
These earlier commitments should not be mistaken for the new 100,000-worker and 100,000-humanitarian allocations.
They are distinct government measures with their own objectives and implementation arrangements.
Will Everyone Qualify?
No. The announcement creates additional permanent residence capacity but does not guarantee approval for every applicant.
IRCC will continue assessing applications according to the applicable program requirements.
Applicants may still need to satisfy relevant immigration, identity, security, admissibility and other legal requirements.
The extra places may allow immigration authorities to process more qualifying applications, but they do not remove the conditions attached to individual immigration programs.
Applicants should also understand that the government’s objective of up to 200,000 admissions is a maximum, not a confirmed number of approvals already issued.
What Happens Next?
The federal government will work with provinces and territories to distribute the additional economic immigration capacity and identify appropriate workers.
IRCC will also use additional processing resources to address selected pending economic, family and humanitarian applications.
For affected applicants, the most important development to watch will be further instructions from IRCC concerning processing priorities, provincial allocations and implementation.
There is no indication that eligible individuals need to submit duplicate permanent residence applications solely because of this announcement.
The initiative could be particularly significant for individuals who have already established their lives in Canada but have been waiting for permanent residence decisions.
Nevertheless, the outcome of each application will continue to depend on individual eligibility and immigration processing.
Immigration Plan 2027–2029
The additional 200,000 places have been announced alongside Canada’s broader Immigration Levels Plan for 2027–2029.
Under that plan, Canada has maintained its regular permanent residence admissions target at 380,000 per year for 2027, 2028 and 2029.
The regular annual permanent residence targets are divided as follows:
| Immigration category | Annual target |
| Economic immigration | 244,700 |
| Family reunification | 81,000 |
| Refugees and protected persons | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian and other | 5,000 |
| Total | 380,000 |
Canada has also set an annual target of 370,000 new temporary resident arrivals, comprising 220,000 foreign workers and 150,000 international students.
The plan includes a target of 95,000 Provincial Nominee Program admissions annually and 6,000 through the Atlantic Immigration Program. These are regular plan targets, separate from the special 2027 measure.
French-speaking permanent resident admissions outside Quebec are targeted at 9.5% in 2027, 10.5% in 2028 and 12% in 2029.
The regular 2027 permanent residence target has a planning range of 352,500 to 422,000. The separate time-limited measure provides up to 200,000 additional admissions outside those regular targets.
Therefore, 380,000 plus up to 200,000 equals a potential 580,000 admissions at the regular target level, assuming the entire additional allocation is used. This is an illustration, not a new official regular admissions target or a guarantee.
For the thousands of eligible workers, families and humanitarian applicants already living in Canada, the additional 2027 measure is intended to provide more opportunities for pending applications to be finalized without requiring a new immigration pathway.