Canada is launching 2 new pathways to permanent residence for Hong Kong residents who study and work in Canada! Eligible applicants must have valid temporary resident status in Canada (study, work or visitor permit holders), be in Canada when they submit their application and when their permanent residence is granted, reach Canadian Language Benchmark level 5 (equivalent to IELTS General reading 4, listening 5, writing 5 and speaking 5) and intend to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.
This public policy will be in effect from June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026.
Stream A: In-Canada graduates
To be eligible for this stream, you must have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada with one of the following in the 3 years before you apply:
○ a diploma (for a program of at least 2 years)
○ a degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate)
○ a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least 1 year). If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate, you must have completed a prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program.
At least 50% of your program must be completed in Canada (either in person or online)
Schedule a Free ConsultationStream B: Canadian Work Experience
To be eligible for this stream, you must have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full-time, or 1,560 hours part-time, in the 3 years before you apply. There are no occupation type or employer requirements.
You must have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution with one of the following in the 5 years before you apply:
• a diploma (for a program of at least 2 years)
•a degree (bachelor’s, master’s or doctorate)
•a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least 1 year). If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate, you must have competed a prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program.
This stream is an extension of the previous public policy regarding open work permits for Hong Kong recent graduates. Eligible applicants who graduated with a post-secondary diploma or degree in the past 5 years can apply for a work permit that is valid for up to 3 years. After gaining adequate work experience in Canada, applicants can apply for permanent residence via this new Stream B pathway.
Schedule a Free ConsultationRequirements:
• Applicants must have graduated with a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree in the last 5 years
or
•Hold an equivalent foreign credential. A post-secondary diploma program must be a minimum of 2 years.
There are other provinces you can be nominated from:
Hong Kong residents currently in Canada temporarily, including visitors, students and workers, can apply online from within Canada.
Those applying from abroad remain subject to current travel restrictions and may not be able to come to Canada at this time, unless they have a job offer or meet a travel exemption and comply with all public health requirements. More details will be available on the IRCC website on the launch date.
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New Work Permit
• Eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada or abroad with completed post-secondary studies within the last 5 years can apply for an open work permit, which may be valid for up to 3 years.
Expedited Processing
• IRCC will expedite study and work permit applications from young people in Hong Kong.
• IRCC will speed up the processing time of permanent residence applications, including family sponsorship.
New pathways to permanent residence (PR)
1. The first program is designed for people who have a minimum of 1 year of authorized work experience in Canada and meet other criteria such as minimum language and education levels.
2. The second program is for people who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada. Eligible candidates will be able to apply for permanent residency directly.
Other measures
• IRCC will resume processing International Experience Canada applications (also known as Working Holiday Visas) for Hong Kong youth between 18-30 years old, which has been paused due to COVID-19.
• Spouses or common-law partners and dependents of work permit applicants can apply for an open work permit and study permit, respectively.
• Parents and grandparents of Canadian citizens can apply for “super visas” that allow for multiple entries to Canada for up to 2 years at a time for up to 10 years.
More details will be released in the coming months. Stay tuned!
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