Canada has announced plans to grant permanent residence to up to 45,000 spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of citizens and permanent residents in 2027 as part of a broader immigration relief measure targeting people already living in the country.
The initiative, announced by Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab in Dieppe, New Brunswick, on Friday, November 13, 2026, is also expected to benefit thousands of foreign workers who have been waiting for decisions on their permanent residence applications.
Under the measure, eligible family members must already have applied for permanent residence and be awaiting a final decision. They must also be spouses, common-law partners or dependent children of Canadian citizens or permanent residents residing in Canada.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has clarified that the initiative does not create a new immigration pathway or reopen previously closed programmes.
Applicants are also not required to submit fresh applications or contact the department, as their pending applications will be processed under the new allocation.
In addition to the family provision, Canada will offer provinces and territories optional additional nomination spaces under the Provincial Nominee Program to facilitate the permanent residence of up to 100,000 workers and their families in 2027.
The additional spaces will cover eligible workers living outside Quebec who are awaiting decisions under the Atlantic Immigration Program and several closed immigration programmes, including the Start-up Visa Program, the Self-Employed Persons Program, the Agri-Food Pilot and home care worker programmes.
Canada announce immigration plan wey go reduce temporary and permanent residents
The government will also use the 2027 allocations to accommodate up to 32,000 applicants under the Hong Kong pathways, 18,800 people under the Ukraine Family Reunification Pathway and 12,600 individuals already found eligible for permanent residence on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
"Our government understands that by retaining high-value, established workers, we can support economic growth and help our businesses thrive," Diab said.
The announcement comes amid renewed diplomatic and economic engagement between Ghana and Canada following President John Dramani Mahama's meeting with Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney at the Commonwealth summit earlier this month.
The two leaders backed a new economic cooperation framework, with Canada expressing interest in strengthening collaboration with Ghana in energy, trade and critical minerals.
However, the latest immigration measure does not provide a new opportunity for people applying from Ghana or other countries, as all the categories covered concern individuals already living in Canada with pending applications.
IRCC has also indicated that there are no new application procedures or fees under the initiative.
It has therefore cautioned applicants against individuals or agents demanding payment to secure places under the measure.
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Minister Metlege Diab provided more details on the time-limited measure for workers announced in Budget 2026: https://t.co/mu5dWR028y We are offering the provinces and territories optional, additional space to transition up to a combined total of 100,000 workers and their families to permanent residence in 2027. These workers are already living in Canada and are contributing to key industries and supporting economic development in communities of all sizes. By helping provinces and territories retain workers already established in their communities, the measure will help employers maintain access to skilled talent and support communities facing labour shortages without adding significant new pressures on housing and community infrastructure.
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) November 12, 2026 MRA/BAI Dr Cassiel Ato Forson presents the 2027 Budget Statement and Economic Policy Source: www.ghanaweb.com