Canada’s federal government has announced plans to grant permanent residency (PR) to a total of 622,000 foreign nationals by the end of 2027.
Ottawa, London: Canada’s federal government has announced plans to grant permanent residency (PR) to a total of 622,000 foreign nationals by the end of 2027. The plan includes provisions for admitting new immigrants as well as special measures to grant permanent residency to temporary residents already living in Canada. According to Canadian news agency CIC News, Canadian authorities released details of a new immigration plan for 2027 to 2029 on November 5. Under the plan, the government aims to grant permanent residency to 200,000 temporary residents already in Canada by the end of 2027, while allowing 422,000 new permanent residents to enter the country during 2027. According to information published on the website of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), the government has also set an annual target of 370,000 new temporary residents. This includes plans to admit 220,000 foreign workers and up to 150,000 international students to Canada each year.
Of the 200,000 individuals set to receive permanent residency under the government's special program, 100,000 places have been allocated to skilled workers. These individuals will be selected through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), in which Canada's provincial and territorial governments will also play a role. The primary objective of the program is to provide an opportunity for temporary residents already living in Canada to obtain permanent residency, particularly those who are making significant contributions to the country's economy and workforce. At the same time, the government aims to ensure the availability of skilled workers across various sectors in line with labour market requirements.
The Canadian government has also set a target of increasing the number of French-speaking permanent residents settling outside Quebec, particularly in regions where French is spoken. The government has maintained its commitment to granting permanent residency to eligible applicants under two special programs launched in 2025. Under these initiatives, Canada had planned to provide permanent residency to up to 115,000 protected persons already living in the country and 33,000 workers. According to officials, these measures are intended to make Canada's immigration system more organized and provide clearer pathways for individuals seeking permanent residency.
The United Kingdom has announced three new sponsorship programs for refugees from specific countries, offering opportunities to enter the country through education and employment. Under these programs, eligible refugees will be able to relocate to the UK with support from community groups, universities and employers. The United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has warned that anyone demanding money in the name of sponsorship is committing fraud.
According to UNHCR, the British government has announced new sponsorship routes to provide refugees from certain countries with opportunities to move to the United Kingdom. Under these programmes, refugees will be able to relocate with the support of community organizations, educational institutions and companies offering employment opportunities. According to information released by UNHCR Pakistan, the British government has introduced three different sponsorship programmes for refugees. These programs are being administered and implemented directly by the British government.
The first is the Community Sponsorship Scheme, under which community groups and various organizations can help refugees relocate to the UK. The second is the Refugee Study Route, which will provide refugees with opportunities to pursue education in the UK through participating universities and higher education institutions. The third program is the Refugee Work Route, under which employers and companies willing to offer job opportunities can act as sponsors and support refugees in relocating to the United Kingdom. UNHCR has clarified that it will have no role in identifying or selecting refugees under any of these three programs, nor will it submit their names to British authorities. The program has been developed independently by the British government, which is also responsible for their implementation.
Meanwhile, UNHCR has warned refugees not to pay money to anyone claiming to arrange sponsorship or relocation to the United Kingdom. According to the agency, such claims are fraudulent, and paying someone does not guarantee resettlement in the UK. To report cases of fraud, UNHCR has also provided the email address pakisfrd@unhcr.org. UNHCR Pakistan has also established contact facilities for individuals seeking urgent protection-related assistance. Such individuals can contact the agency at pakisprt@unhcr.org or seek help through its toll-free helpline, 0800 68877. The helpline operates from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m., Monday through Friday, and from 10:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on Saturdays and Sundays. The agency has urged refugees to rely exclusively on official sources for information about sponsorship programs and relocation to the United Kingdom, and to remain cautious of unverified claims or requests for money.
