For Ukrainians who have been living in Canada for several years, every news story about Permanent Residence (PR) raises many questions. This is especially true among those who arrived under the CUAET program, are working, raising children, and plan to stay in the country permanently.
On November 10, 2026, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) published a new official announcement. This time, the government did not simply outline future immigration plans but identified specific categories of people for whom it intends to expedite the process of obtaining permanent residence.
The main news for Ukrainians: In 2027, Canada plans to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway. According to IRCC estimates, this could result in permanent residency being granted to up to 18,800 people.
But there’s an important caveat here. This is not a new immigration program for all Ukrainians, nor does it mean automatic permanent residency for CUAET holders.
Let’s break down exactly what the government has confirmed, who should expect changes, and what those still seeking a path to permanent residency should do.
What has changed since IRCC’s November 10 announcement?
In early November, Canada unveiled its immigration plan for 2027–2029. One of its provisions is a temporary measure that will allow up to 200,000 people already living in the country to transition to permanent resident status.
Initially, only the general principles of this initiative were known.
Now the government has identified specific categories of applicants and explained how it plans to process the backlog of applications in the immigration system.
On November 7, Immigration Minister Lena Metlidge Diab met with representatives of the Ukrainian and Hong Kong communities. During the meeting, they discussed expediting the processing of permanent resident (PR) applications that people had submitted earlier but are still awaiting a decision on.
And on November 10, IRCC released official details of these measures.
The government’s idea is quite simple: if a person is already living in Canada, working, paying taxes, and has been waiting for a decision for years, a way must be found to shorten this period of uncertainty.
At the same time, additional permanent resident spots do not mean that the same number of new immigrants will arrive in the country. This primarily concerns people who are already in Canada.
Up to 18,800 Ukrainians may receive PR: who is eligible?
The most important clarification for the Ukrainian community concerns the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway program.
It was launched on October 23, 2023, for certain categories of Ukrainians who were in Canada and had family ties to Canadian citizens or permanent residents.
The application period ended on October 22, 2024. However, some families who managed to submit their applications are still awaiting a decision.
IRCC now states that it plans to process all remaining applications under this program by 2027.
IRCC’s official estimate is that up to 18,800 people may be granted permanent residency following the review of applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
This is good news for Ukrainian families who have been waiting for a long time.
However, 18,800 is the projected maximum number of people who may receive PR, not the number of applications already approved.
Each applicant must meet the program’s requirements. Simply submitting an application does not guarantee a positive decision.
Do you need to submit a new application for permanent residency?
No. And this is one of the most important practical clarifications.
IRCC has explicitly stated that this new temporary measure:
- Does not create new immigration programs.
- Does not reopen programs for which the application period has already closed.
- Does not require people who already have an application under review to resubmit their documents.
- Does not require a special request to IRCC asking to include the application in the expedited processing.
In other words, if you have already submitted documents under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, you do not need to create a new application just because of the November 10 announcement.
At the same time, it’s important to continue checking your IRCC account and email, and to respond promptly to requests for additional documents.
What about Ukrainians who arrived under the CUAET?
This question is on the minds of many Ukrainians in Calgary, Edmonton, and other cities in Alberta.
Thousands of people have come to Canada through the Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel (CUAET). During this time, they have found jobs, learned the language, rented or purchased housing, and enrolled their children in Canadian schools.
But temporary status does not provide certainty about the future.
Therefore, the announcement regarding 18,800 Ukrainians might have given the impression that Canada is opening a new pathway to permanent residency (PR) for all CUAET participants.
In reality, this is not the case.
The official IRCC announcement from November 10 primarily concerns the expedited processing of applications already submitted under specific immigration streams.
The figure of 18,800 refers specifically to the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, not to all Ukrainians under the CUAET.
If a person arrived under the CUAET but has not applied under the family reunification program, this announcement alone does not open up a new opportunity for them to apply under a closed program.
At the same time, Ukrainians may meet the requirements for other immigration streams, such as worker programs or provincial programs.
What other categories of people will receive additional opportunities?
In a November 10 announcement, IRCC provided more detailed figures regarding specific groups of applicants for the first time.
| Category | Planned Number |
|---|---|
| Ukrainians under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway | Up to 18,800 |
| Applicants under special programs for Hong Kong | Up to 32,000 |
| Applicants already deemed eligible under the H&C category | Up to 12,600 |
| Spouses, partners, and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents | Up to 45,000 |
| Workers in Canada and their family members | Up to 100,000 |
These are planned maximum targets, not the number of permanent residence permits already issued.
Up to 32,000 applicants from Hong Kong
Canada plans to complete the processing of applications under special immigration programs for Hong Kong residents.
These programs were available to individuals with relevant Canadian education or work experience. The acceptance of new applications ended on August 31, 2026.
It is expected that the processing of the remaining applications could result in up to 32,000 people receiving permanent resident status.
Up to 12,600 people on humanitarian grounds
This refers to applicants who have already been deemed eligible for permanent residency on humanitarian and compassionate grounds (H&C).
This does not mean that everyone who is merely planning to submit an H&C application will automatically be covered by the new measure.
Up to 45,000 family members
Additional opportunities are available for spouses, common-law partners, and dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents who are already in the country.
The goal is to expedite the processing of family applications and reduce wait times.
Up to 100,000 workers and their family members
This is another initiative that may be of particular interest to Ukrainians.
Canada plans to collaborate with the provinces and territories to help workers already living in the country transition to permanent resident status.
However, the detailed rules for participation in this initiative still need to be clarified.
Having a work permit does not in itself mean that a person automatically meets the requirements for permanent residency (PR).
What did representatives of the Ukrainian community discuss with the Minister of Immigration?
On November 7, a meeting took place that holds special significance for Ukrainians from CUAET.
In Toronto, a delegation from the Ukrainian Canadian Congress (UCC), led by the organization’s president, Oleksandra Chychii, met with Immigration Minister Lena Metlidge Diab.
During the meeting, they discussed the new immigration plan, expediting the processing of applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, and future opportunities for Ukrainians to obtain PR.
UCC representatives welcomed the government’s decision regarding the backlog of applications under the family reunification program.
But what is most interesting to many Ukrainians is that during the meeting, they also raised the issue of specific pathways to obtaining permanent residency for people currently in Canada under the CUAET.
Oleksandra Chychii confirmed that the organization intends to continue its dialogue with the federal government.
This means that the future of Ukrainians with temporary status remains on the agenda.
However, it is important not to confuse these discussions with a final decision. As of November 11, 2026, the federal government has not announced a new, separate PR program for all CUAET participants.
What does this mean for Ukrainians in Calgary and Alberta?
For Ukrainians living and working in Alberta, the situation depends primarily on whether they have already submitted an application for permanent residency (PR).
If you have applied through the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway, the new announcement gives reason to expect expedited processing. The government plans to process all remaining applications in 2027.
If you are working in Calgary on a work permit but have not applied for permanent residency, you should closely monitor future announcements regarding the initiative for 100,000 workers.
The government plans to implement this initiative in collaboration with the provinces and territories. This means that provincial immigration mechanisms may play an important role.
In particular, you should pay attention to the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP).
However, don’t assume that the new spots will automatically be available to all workers in Alberta. The final selection criteria will be decisive.
What Should Ukrainians Awaiting Permanent Residency Do?
First and foremost—don’t rush to submit new applications just because of this news.
If you have already submitted documents under the Ukrainian family reunification program, IRCC does not require you to reapply to participate in the expedited processing.
You should also check the validity period of your immigration status and work permit.
For some Ukrainians who arrived under the CUAET and meet specific conditions, special measures are in place for extending work permits. Specifically, IRCC allows applicants to submit the relevant application by March 31, 2027.
However, these rules have their own eligibility criteria, so they must be reviewed on a case-by-case basis.
Those who do not yet have a path to permanent residency (PR) should consider current immigration programs rather than relying solely on potential future decisions.
And here’s another important tip: be cautious about claims promising guaranteed PR. The new government measures do not waive the checks and requirements of immigration law.
When will Ukrainians receive a decision on their PR applications?
IRCC plans to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway during 2027.
However, the ministry has not provided specific dates for each applicant.
Therefore, it is currently impossible to say that a particular person will definitely receive a decision in a specific month.
Furthermore, expedited processing does not guarantee approval.
Nevertheless, for families who have been waiting years for a response, the government’s official confirmation of its plans is an important step toward greater certainty.
Why Are These Changes Important for Canada?
The Canadian government is trying to address two issues simultaneously.
On the one hand, the country plans to curb the growth in the number of temporary residents and make the immigration system more predictable.
On the other hand, there are already people living in Canada who have been waiting for years for a decision on their permanent status.
Some of them are working, raising children, and have long been part of their local communities.
The new temporary measure is designed to help precisely these applicants.
IRCC also emphasizes that additional spots for these individuals should not reduce opportunities for other vulnerable groups, particularly refugees whom Canada accepts through resettlement programs.
Conclusion
The IRCC announcement dated November 10, 2026, provided Ukrainians with important details.
Canada has officially confirmed its intention to process all remaining applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway in 2027. It is expected that this could result in up to 18,800 Ukrainians obtaining permanent resident (PR) status.
At the same time, the government has clarified additional opportunities for other categories of applicants, including workers, family members of Canadian citizens and permanent residents, as well as individuals who already meet the criteria for obtaining PR on humanitarian grounds.
For Ukrainians with CUAET status, the situation remains different for now. No separate new program has been announced for all participants in these initiatives.
However, the Ukrainian Canadian Congress continues to raise this issue with the federal government.
For many Ukrainian families in Calgary and Alberta, the most important thing right now is to maintain their current immigration status, monitor official updates, and evaluate the available pathways to PR based on their individual circumstances.