On November 5, 2026, the Canadian government released a new immigration plan for 2027–2029 (Immigration Levels Plan). The document outlines how many people the country plans to admit each year, who will be given priority for permanent residence (PR), and what opportunities will be available to those already living and working in Canada.
One of the most important announcements is that the government plans to help up to 200,000 people already in Canada transition to permanent resident status in 2027.
The official documents also specifically mention the Ukrainian family reunification program—the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
Let’s take a closer look at what exactly the new plan entails and what Ukrainians in Canada should pay attention to.
How many immigrants will Canada admit in 2027–2029?
The government has decided to maintain a stable number of new permanent residents over the next three years.
| Category | 2027 | 2028 | 2029 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Permanent residents (PR) | 380,000 | 380,000 | 380,000 |
| New temporary residents | 370,000 | 370,000 | 370,000 |
| Foreign workers | 220,000 | 220,000 | 220,000 |
| International students | 150,000 | 150,000 | 150,000 |
Thus, over the next three years, Canada plans to grant permanent resident status to approximately 1.14 million people.
An important detail: these figures do not apply only to those moving to Canada from abroad. They also include people who are already living in the country on temporary permits and will eventually obtain permanent resident status.
The figures for 2028 and 2029 are preliminary and may be revised by the government.
What will change for temporary workers and students?
Canada plans to admit 370,000 new temporary residents each year.
Of these, 220,000 spots are allocated for workers, and 150,000 for international students.
The quota for workers will be divided between two main streams:
- International Mobility Program (IMP) — 170,000 new arrivals annually. The program covers categories of work permits that do not require an LMIA.
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) — 50,000 new arrivals annually. This stream is used to attract foreign workers based on employers’ needs.
The government explains these restrictions as an effort to reduce the strain on housing, infrastructure, and public services.
Do the restrictions apply to Ukrainians already in Canada?
This is one of the most important clarifications in the new plan.
The 370,000 quota applies to new arrivals, not to all individuals with temporary status who are already living in Canada.
The following are not included in this quota:
- Renewals of work permits.
- Renewals of study permits.
- Applications for work and study permits submitted from within Canada.
- Visitors arriving on visas or eTA.
- Individuals seeking asylum.
Post-Graduation Work Permits (PGWPs) are also excluded from the new arrival figures, as IRCC considers them to be a change or extension of status.
This means that the new quotas should not be interpreted as an automatic ban on permit renewals for people already in the country.
At the same time, each application will continue to be assessed in accordance with current immigration regulations.
Who Will Have the Best Chance of Obtaining PR?
Economic immigration remains Canada’s top priority.
Of the 380,000 planned spots each year:
| Category | Spots per Year |
|---|---|
| Economic Immigration | 244,700 |
| Family Reunification | 81,000 |
| Refugees and Protected Persons | 49,300 |
| Humanitarian and Other Categories | 5,000 |
Economic immigration will account for approximately 64.4% of all spots.
This reflects the government’s intention to prioritize candidates whose professional skills align with the needs of the Canadian labor market.
Express Entry — 100,000 Spots Annually
The Federal High-Skilled category is allocated 100,000 spots annually.
It includes, in particular:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program.
- Canadian Experience Class.
For Ukrainians who are already working in Canada and have relevant experience, the Canadian Experience Class may remain particularly relevant.
However, the 100,000 spots represent the total allocation for the federal category, not a separate quota for this program.
The government is also announcing further changes to Express Entry to better select professionals based on the economy’s needs.
Provincial Programs: 95,000 Spots Annually
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)—programs through which provinces can nominate candidates for permanent residence—remain an important avenue.
For 2027–2029, 95,000 spots are planned annually for all of Canada.
For Alberta residents, the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP) is of particular importance.
This program allows the province to select candidates who meet specific economic and professional needs.
However, the federal quota of 95,000 does not mean that all of these spots will be available to Alberta. The allocation among provinces and the specific selection criteria are determined separately.
Up to 200,000 people will be able to transition to permanent residency under a new temporary measure
This is one of the most important parts of the announced plan.
In 2027, the government will introduce a special temporary mechanism (Time-Limited Measure) designed to help up to 200,000 people already living in Canada obtain permanent residency.
There are two groups.
The first group: up to 100,000 workers and their family members
Canada plans to collaborate with the provinces and territories to help people who are already working in the country and meet the needs of local labor markets transition to permanent residency.
In particular, additional opportunities for provincial nomination of candidates are planned.
The government also plans to process applications already submitted under certain federal programs, including some programs that are currently closed to new applicants.
This does not mean that anyone with a work permit will automatically receive permanent residency. Selection will depend on specific conditions and the immigration pathway.
Second Group — Up to 100,000 People Under Humanitarian Categories
Up to 100,000 spots are set aside for people who are already in Canada and awaiting a decision under specific humanitarian and family immigration programs.
The goal is to reduce the backlog of applications, fulfill prior humanitarian commitments, and help families stay together.
It is in this section that the Canadian government specifically mentioned Ukrainians.
Ukrainian Family Reunification Program: What Did IRCC Announce?
The government announced its intention to use additional capacity in 2027 to complete the processing of all pending applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
This program provides a pathway to permanent residence for specific categories of family members of Ukrainians who meet the established requirements.
For those who have already submitted their applications and have been waiting a long time for a decision, this is important news.
At the same time, the government is talking about expediting and finalizing the processing of applications, not about automatically approving each one.
Does this mean automatic permanent residence for all Ukrainians with CUAET?
No. The new immigration plan does not provide for the automatic granting of permanent residence to all Ukrainians who arrived in Canada under CUAET.
It is important to distinguish between two programs:
CUAET (Canada-Ukraine Authorization for Emergency Travel) — a special mechanism for the temporary entry and stay of Ukrainians in Canada.
Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway — a separate pathway to permanent residence for specific categories of family members.
The IRCC announcement specifically concerns applications that remain pending under the Ukrainian family reunification program.
Furthermore, the 100,000 humanitarian class spots are not reserved exclusively for Ukrainians but are intended for several different immigration streams.
What will happen to other programs for people already living in Canada?
In addition to the new temporary mechanism, IRCC will continue to implement previously announced initiatives.
These include expediting the transition to permanent residency in 2026–2027 for:
- Up to 115,000 protected persons in Canada and their eligible dependents.
- Up to 33,000 work permit holders.
These initiatives were announced earlier and are not the same as the new measure for 200,000 people.
The government also plans to conclude the In-Canada Workers Initiative in 2027, which is designed to expedite the processing of applications from people who are already working and contributing to Canada’s economy.
Family Sponsorship: Will It Become Easier to Reunite with Family?
There are 81,000 spots allocated annually for family immigration.
Of these:
- 66,000 are for spouses, partners, and children.
- 15,000 are for parents and grandparents.
The government also plans to utilize additional capacity to process applications from spouses, partners, and dependent children of Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are already in the country.
This is expected to help reduce processing times for certain spousal and partner sponsorship applications to 12 months outside of Quebec.
However, this is a target, not a guarantee of a specific processing time for each applicant.
The French Language Is Becoming Increasingly Important for Immigration
Canada will continue to increase the proportion of French-speaking immigrants who receive permanent residency (PR) outside Quebec.
The plan calls for:
| Year | Target percentage of French-speaking immigrants |
|---|---|
| 2027 | 9.5% |
| 2028 | 10.5% |
| 2029 | 12% |
For Ukrainians who speak French or plan to learn it, this is another factor to consider when choosing an immigration strategy.
At the same time, knowing French alone does not guarantee permanent residency—you must meet the requirements of a specific program.
What Does the New Plan Mean for Ukrainians in Calgary and Alberta?
For Ukrainians who have already settled in Alberta—whether they are working, studying, raising children, or planning to stay in Canada permanently—the new immigration plan has several practical implications.
First, economic immigration will remain the primary pathway to obtaining permanent residency. Canadian work experience, professional qualifications, and meeting program requirements can play an important role.
Second, provincial programs remain an important tool. Residents of Calgary and other cities in Alberta should keep an eye on updates to the AAIP, as selection criteria and available streams may change.
Third, individuals who have already applied under specific immigration programs may benefit from measures to expedite their processing.
Fourth, Ukrainians awaiting a decision under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway should closely monitor IRCC announcements in 2027.
Finally, it is important for temporary permit holders not to confuse general national quotas with their personal immigration status. The new plan does not, in and of itself, extend a Work Permit or create an automatic right to permanent residency (PR).
What Should You Do Right Now?
If you live in Canada and plan to obtain permanent residency, it’s a good idea to assess your options in advance.
Specifically:
- Check the expiration date of your Work Permit or Study Permit.
- Assess whether you meet the requirements for Express Entry and the Canadian Experience Class.
- Review the current streams of the Alberta Advantage Immigration Program.
- Prepare documents regarding your education, work experience, and language test results, if required.
- Keep an eye on official announcements regarding the new temporary measure for 2027.
- If you’ve already applied for permanent residency (PR), check the status of your application through IRCC’s official services.
Don’t rush to file a new application just because additional quotas have been announced. First, you need to determine whether the relevant program applies to your specific situation.
Why Is Canada Changing Its Immigration Policy?
The government explains the new approach as a need to strike a balance between the economy’s needs and the country’s capacity to accept new residents.
In recent years, rapid population growth has intensified debates regarding the availability of housing, healthcare, infrastructure, and the strain on local communities.
Therefore, the new strategy calls for a more controlled number of temporary arrivals, stable levels of permanent immigration, and a greater focus on people already living in Canada.
For employers, this means focusing on specific labor market needs, and for immigrants, it means the importance of meeting the requirements of economic and regional programs.
Conclusion
Canada’s new immigration plan for 2027–2029 does not mean an end to immigration. The country will continue to welcome hundreds of thousands of new permanent residents each year, but it will increasingly focus on economic needs and on people already living in the country.
For Ukrainians, three points are most important: the maintenance of significant quotas for economic immigration, a new temporary measure allowing up to 200,000 people to transition to permanent residency (PR), and the government’s intention to complete the processing of applications under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway.
However, the government has not announced a separate program for automatic permanent residency for all Ukrainians with a CUAET.
Therefore, those planning to stay in Canada should refer to the official requirements of specific immigration programs and monitor further clarifications from IRCC.