In Budget 2026, Ottawa says Immigration Canada will process remaining applications under the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways by the end of 2027, potentially making up to 32,000 people permanent residents.
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Ottawa announced in Budget 2026 that Immigration Canada will process all remaining applications under Canada’s Hong Kong permanent residence pathways by the end of 2027, as the government seeks to reduce a growing backlog.
Canada launched the Hong Kong pathway in 2021 after Beijing imposed a national security law on Hong Kong, and the program closed to new applications this August. However, IRCC said some applicants have faced waits of more than 10 years, with about 35,000 people still waiting as of Sept. 1, including family members.
Under the one-time measure described in Budget 2026, up to 32,000 people are expected to become permanent residents. IRCC also noted that some applications may be refused or withdrawn.
Liberal MP Wade Chang said he is confident Ottawa can meet the 2027 deadline, saying IRCC has already “studied their capabilities inside the IRCC.” NDP immigration critic Jenny Kwan, who represents Vancouver East, said meeting the deadline will require more than a plan, pointing to staffing cuts that she said made delays worse after the Liberal government cut “over 3,000, some 3,300 staff at IRCC.”
Immigration Minister Lena Diab said the measure is intended to keep a promise to Hong Kong residents already living in Canada, not to bring in new immigrants. Advocacy and communications officer Landson Chan said Hong Kong Watch will keep pushing for the plan to deliver.
“Very good news to finally see some hope of addressing the backlog, especially when I’m actually one of the Hongkongers who came here through the Hong Kong pathway,” Chan said.
Kwan said the announcement is a reason for Hong Kong residents to celebrate, saying, “Yeah, so I would say to the Hong Kongers, congratulations. This is what we’ve all been working hard for.”
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