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Get your free Roadmap SnapshotIRCC says its one-time 2027 measure should bring spouse and partner class waits closer to 12 months outside Quebec. What it covers and what it doesn't.
On November 5, 2026, IRCC said its one-time 2027 measure for people already in Canada will add capacity to process permanent residence applications from spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadians and permanent residents who are in Canada. IRCC expects this to bring wait times closer to 12 months for the spouse or common-law partner class for applicants destined to provinces and territories outside Quebec. This is a stated goal in a government backgrounder, not a new rule or a processing standard.
What IRCC announced
The measure is part of the 2027–2029 Immigration Levels Plan released with Budget 2026. It creates up to 200,000 additional permanent residence spaces in 2027, outside the regular target of 380,000, split into a workers cohort and a humanitarian cohort of up to 100,000 people each. Family applications in Canada fall in the humanitarian cohort.
- Humanitarian cohort: up to 100,000 people already in Canada, many of whom have waited years for a decision.
- Its goals include finishing the remaining Hong Kong and Ukraine Family Reunification pathway applications and finalizing people already found eligible on humanitarian and compassionate grounds.
- The added capacity also covers PR applications from spouses, common-law partners and dependent children of Canadians and PRs in Canada.
- Regular family targets are unchanged: 66,000 spouses, partners and children a year in 2027–2029 (range 61,000 to 75,000).
Who this is likely to help
Based on IRCC's wording, the 12-month goal applies to the spouse or common-law partner in Canada class, the inland route used when the sponsored partner lives in Canada with the sponsor, for applicants who will live outside Quebec. IRCC has said people do not need to submit a separate application to be considered under the 2027 measure.
What it does not change
The announcement does not change eligibility, sponsorship undertakings, or the documents you must provide. It does not mention the family class for partners living outside Canada, and it does not apply to applicants destined to Quebec, which sets its own targets. IRCC has not said how files will be ordered or when in 2027 the extra capacity starts.
“Closer to 12 months” is IRCC's expectation, not a guarantee. Individual files can take longer, especially if information is missing or additional checks are needed.
What to do next
- Do not file a second application: IRCC says no separate application is needed for the 2027 measure.
- Keep your file current: report address changes, a new passport, or a new child through your IRCC account.
- If your partner works on an open work permit, track its expiry date and extend on time; the 2027 measure does not protect your status.
- Check IRCC's current estimate on our processing times tool, and see our family sponsorship page if you have not applied yet.
For the full targets and the workers cohort, see our 2027–2029 Levels Plan explainer. Processing times are estimates and no outcome is guaranteed. Source: IRCC backgrounder, November 5, 2026.
Not sure how this applies to your situation? A licensed immigration consultant (RCIC) can review your profile with you.
