Canada Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
There are two pathways available for Hong Kong residents and their families in Canada who wish to apply for Canadian permanent resident status.
For more information about how to obtain permanent residence in Canada, including what you need to be eligible and what the options available to you are, reach out to one of our immigration experts on +1 844 290 6312, or contact us online today.
Page Contents
- Overview of Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
- What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Stream A?
- What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Stream B?
- What Are the Language Requirements?
- How Can I Prove I Meet the Work Experience Requirements?
- How Can I Prove I Meet the Education Requirements?
- How Do I Apply for Permanent Residency?
- What Documents Do I Have to Include With My Application?
- What Are the Fees and Processing Times?
- What Happens After I Apply?
- How Can Total Law Help?
- Frequently Asked Questions
Overview of Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
On June 1, 2021, Canada introduced a new public policy to facilitate the granting of permanent residency to Hong Kong residents and their families currently residing in Canada.
This policy consists of two streams.
Stream A is targeted at in-Canada graduates who have graduated from a Canadian designated learning institution (DLI).
Stream B is targeted at those who have at least 12 months’ worth of Canadian work experience.
With these two streams, the government of Canada aims to encourage recent Hong Kong graduates and those with Canadian work experience to settle in Canada on a permanent basis.
The policy is in effect from June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026.
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What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Stream A?
Stream A of the permanent residence pathway scheme is aimed at in-Canada graduates.
In order to be eligible for this stream, you must:
- Hold a valid passport issued by one of the following:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
- United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
- Be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you get permanent residence
- Have valid temporary resident status in Canada
- Intend to live in any Canadian province or territory other than the province of Quebec
- Have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada:
- In the 3 years before you apply
- With one of the following:
- A diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years
- A degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral)
- A graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year, and
- With at least 50% of your program completed in Canada (either in person or online)
If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate, you must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree (from Canada or from abroad) as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program.
You must have completed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or postgraduate program.
What Are the Eligibility Criteria for Stream B?
Stream B of the permanent residence pathway scheme is aimed at candidates with Canadian work experience.
In order to be eligible for this stream, you must:
- Hold a valid passport issued by one of the following:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
- United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
- Be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you get permanent residence
- Have valid temporary resident status in Canada
- Intend to live in any Canadian province or territory other than the province of Quebec
- Have graduated in the 5 years before you apply with one of the following:
- A diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years, or a degree (for example, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate) from a Canadian post-secondary designated learning institution
- A graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year from a Canadian post-secondary designated learning institution
- A foreign educational credential equivalent to one of the following:
- A Canadian post-secondary diploma (not graduate or postgraduate) for a program of at least 2 years
- A Canadian post-secondary degree
- A Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year
- Have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full time, or an equal amount of part-time hours in the 3 years before you apply
If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate, you must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree (from Canada or from abroad) as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program.
You must have completed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or postgraduate program.
What Are the Language Requirements for Hong Kong immigration to Canada as PRs?
In order to be eligible for the permanent residence pathways, you must provide a copy of your language test results that shows you have at least a level 5 score in all 4 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in one of the following:
- Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB)
- Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC)
If English is your main language, you may take either of the following tests:
- Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program (CELPIP)
- International English Language Testing System (ILETS)
Meanwhile, if French is your main language, you may take either of the following:
- TEF Canada: Test d’évaluation de français
- TCF Canada: Test de connaissance du français
How Can I Prove I Meet the Work Experience Requirements?
If you’re applying through stream B, you must provide proof for each job you’ve listed in your application.
In order to do this, you may include the following:
- A letter from your employer, on company letterhead, that includes
- Your name
- Your job title
- The dates you worked for the company
- The number of hours you worked each week
- Your annual salary and any benefits you received
- The company contact information (such as address, phone number and email address)
- Your supervisor’s name, title and signature (or those of the company’s human resources officer)
- A copy of the T4 tax information slips and notices of assessment the Canada Revenue Agency issued to you
- Copies of your records of employment
- Pay stubs
- Copies of bank deposits showing salary payments
How Can I Prove I Meet the Education Requirements for Hong Kong immigration to Canada?
Stream A (In-Canada Graduates)
If you’re applying through stream A, you must provide the following:
- A copy of your diploma or degree
- Your final transcripts
These must show that you graduated from a designated learning institution (DLI) in Canada in the last 3 years from the date of your application.
If you have a university, degree, diploma or certificate from a graduate or postgraduate program, you must also include both of the following:
- Proof that this program required you to have a post-secondary diploma or degree as a prerequisite, such as a:
- Copy of the school’s website showing all the prerequisites
- Letter from the school that lists the prerequisites you needed
- A copy of your post-secondary diploma or degree and final transcripts showing that you graduated no more than 5 years before the start of your graduate or postgraduate program
Stream B (Canadian Work Experience)
If you’re applying through stream B, you must provide the following:
- A copy of your diploma or degree
- Your final transcripts
These must show that you graduated in the last 5 years from the date of your application.
If you have a diploma or certificate from a graduate or post-graduate program, you must also include both of the following:
- Proof that this program required you to have a post-secondary diploma or degree as a prerequisite, such as a:
- Copy of the school’s website showing all the prerequisites
- Letter from the school
- A copy of your post-secondary diploma or degree and final transcripts showing that you graduated no more than 5 years before the start of your graduate or postgraduate program
Note that if you graduated from a post-secondary school outside Canada, you must get an educational credential assessment (ECA). This assessment will show that your studies are equal to a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree.
How Do I Apply for Permanent Residency?
Overview of Applying Online
All eligible applicants for this public policy must apply from inside Canada.
It’s recommended that you apply for permanent residency online through the Canada Post ePost Connect service.
However, you may be able to apply on paper if you’re not able to access the service online.
1) Prepare and Send an Email
To apply for permanent residency online, you must first send an email to IRCC.HMHKPublicPolicy-MHPolitiquePubliqueHK.IRCC@cic.gc.ca
The subject line of this email must be Request to apply for the Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents: [followed by your unique client identifier (UCI) or passport number].
You should then include the following in the body of your email:
- Your name
- The email you want to use to communicate with Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)
- Your UCI (which is found on your visa or permit) or your passport number
If you don’t have a UCI or passport number, you may explain why in your email. Do not add any other information to your email.
After you send your email, you will receive an automatic response within 1 hour to confirm that IRCC has received your message.
2) Create an Account With Canada Post
After you receive your confirmation email, you’ll get an email from Canada Post within 5 business days asking you to set up an account with them.
You will need to follow the instructions contained in the email to set up your account.
3) Complete Your Application
After setting up your account, you will then need to fill out the forms necessary for your application.
These include the following:
- Generic Application Form for Canada (IMM 0008)
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669)
- Additional Family Information (IMM 5406)
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562)
- Additional Dependants/Declaration (IMM 0008 DEP) (if applicable)
- Use of a Representative (IMM 5476) (if applicable)
Stream A candidates must also fill in the Schedule 7A – Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: Stream A – In-Canada graduates (IMM 0135) form.
Meanwhile, stream B candidates must fill in the Schedule 7B – Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: Stream B – Canadian work experience (IMM 0136) form.
All applicants will also need to fill in the Document checklist (IMM 0134) form to ensure that they’ve included all the relevant supporting documents.
4) Pay Your Fees and Submit Your Application
After you’ve filled in and completed your forms, you must pay your application fees online.
You will then have to upload your completed forms and documents to your Canada Post ePost account and submit your application.
What Documents Do I Have to Include With My Application?
You must include the following supporting documents with your permanent residency application:
- A valid travel document or passport
- You must hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China or by the UK to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
- Proof of physical presence in Canada (such as a lease or rental agreement or utility bills)
- Proof of intent to reside outside of Quebec (only applicable if you currently live in Quebec)
- Proof of language proficiency
- Proof of education
- Proof of work experience in Canada (stream B applicants only)
- Identity and civil status documents for you and your spouse or common-law partner. These may include:
- Birth certificates
- Marriage certificates
- Documents showing change of name or date of birth changes (if applicable)
- Children’s information (if applicable), such as:
- Birth certificates
- Adoption papers
- Custody papers for dependent children from a previous marriage or relationship
- Police certificate
- 2 photographs each of every member of your family included the application
- Receipt of payment of fees
What Are the Fees and Processing Times?
The fees you will need to pay for permanent residency under the public policy are below:
| Temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents fee | Fee (in CAN$) |
| Your application (includes processing fee of CAN$ 570 and right of permanent residence fee of CAN$ 515) | 1,085 |
| Include your spouse or partner (includes processing fee of CAN$ 570 and right of permanent residence fee of CAN$ 515) | 1,085 |
| Include a dependent child | 155 (per child) |
In addition, you may also have to pay a biometrics fee of CAN$ 85 per person.
The processing times for permanent resident applications under this public policy generally take around 6 months to process.
What Happens After I Apply for Hong Kong immigration to Canada?
After you submit your application, IRCC will check to ensure that it’s complete, you meet all the eligibility requirements, and that you’ve included all the required documents.
Your application may be delayed if:
- There are any criminal or security problems, or more background checks need to be carried out
- Your family situation isn’t clear (such as in the event of a divorce, an adoption that isn’t complete or child custody issues that haven’t been resolved)
- The processing office has to contact other IRCC offices in or outside Canada to confirm the information you gave
Your application may be returned or refused if it’s missing any required documents or you haven’t paid the necessary fees.
If your application is found to be complete, you and your family members may be asked to give your biometrics information in the form of your fingerprints and photographs. You and your family members will also be asked to attend a medical exam.
If you pass your medical exams, you will be given a confirmation of permanent residence document, which confirms you’ve been approved to become a Canadian permanent resident.
IRCC will also confirm your mailing address so they can send you your permanent resident card.
If your application is refused, you will be sent a letter outlining the reasons why.
How Can Total Law Help?
The permanent residence pathway public policy is a valuable means for Hong Kongers to obtain Canadian permanent residence status. However, like with any other option for Hong Kong immigration to Canada, it isn’t the easiest process.
If you’re a Hong Kong resident in Canada looking to apply for permanent residence under this public policy, Total Law can help.
We are expert immigration lawyers who are highly experienced in Canadian immigration issues and cases. We can help you with your application for permanent residency under the policy, whether it be through helping you fill in your application, assembling your supporting documents, or helping you with any additional issues surrounding you settling in Canada permanently.
We can also help you explore other options through Canada’s other own immigration programs if you’re not eligible for this particular public policy, such as Express Entry.
For more information about the services we offer and what we can do for you, contact us on +1 844 290 6312, or reach out to us online today.
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Frequently Asked Questions
If you’re living in Quebec at the time of your application, you must prove that you intend on living in a province or territory other than Quebec to be eligible for this permanent residency policy.
To prove this, you can provide one or more of the following:
- A statutory declaration explaining where you plan to live and why
- Documents showing any ties you have to the province or territory where you plan to live, including:
- Proof of employment
- Job offers
- Job applications you’ve submitted
- Job interviews you have scheduled
- Proof you have family living in the area
- Lease agreements or mortgages
You will need to get an educational credential assessment (ECA) if you graduated from a post-secondary school outside of Canada. This assessment will show that your studies are equal to a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree.
You may only get an ECA from a designated organization, such as one of the following:
- Comparative Education Service: University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- World Education Services
- International Qualifications Assessment Service (IQAS)
- International Credential Evaluation Service
When you apply for an ECA, you must also:
- Gather all the documents the organization needs to assess your education
- Ask your school for multiple copies of your diplomas, degrees and transcripts
- Follow any instructions given to submit the documents
- Pay the fees
Canadian permanent residents have access to a range of benefits that temporary residents do not. For example, permanent residents have the right to:
- Get most social benefits that Canadian citizens receive, including health care coverage
- Live, work or study anywhere in Canada (except Quebec, for the purposes of this application)
- Apply for Canadian citizenship
- Protection under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms
You must also pay taxes and respect all Canadian laws at the federal, provincial and municipal levels.
Permanent residents cannot:
- Vote or run for political office
- Hold some jobs that need a high-level security clearance