New Temporary Public Policy for Hong Kong Residents

The newly issued temporary public policy aims to attract educated Hong Kong youth to Canada, where it is expected that their human capital and international experience will contribute to Canada’s economic, social, and cultural fabric. 

Accordingly, this public policy will allow for the issuance of open work permits to eligible residents of Hong Kong, whether they are in Canada or abroad, for a period of up to three years. Eligible family members may also be issued an open work permit. The Temporary public policy also created two pathways to permanent residence to facilitate the immigration of certain Hong Kong residents.

Temporary Work Permit Policy for Hong Kong Residents:

Eligibility Criteria for Work Permit:

Based on public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant an exemption from the requirements of the Regulations identified if:

1. Holds a passport issued by

1. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, as defined by paragraph 190(2)(d) of the Regulations, or

2. the United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas), as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong, as defined by paragraph 190(2)(e) of the Regulations

2. The foreign national in the five years preceding the submission of the work permit application has graduated with has graduated with:

1. a degree from a post-secondary designated learning institution as defined in section 211.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations, or a foreign diploma, certificate or credential that is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary degree; or,

2. a diploma from a post-secondary designated learning institution as defined in section 211.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations for completion of a program that is at least two years in length, or a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, along with an equivalency assessment as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary diploma for a program that is at least two years in length;

3. The foreign national:

1. in the five years preceding the submission of the work permit application has graduated with:

1. a graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential from a post-secondary designated learning institution as defined in section 211.1 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations for completion of a program that:

1. is at least one year in length, and

2. requires the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma, as a prerequisite for acceptance in the program, or

2. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential from a program that requires completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance in the program, along with an equivalency assessment as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential for a program that is at least one year in length, and

2. obtained a post-secondary degree or diploma no more than five years before the commencement of the graduate or post-graduate program referred to in

4. Family members who are 18 years of age or older at the time the work permit application is submitted are also eligible for an open work permit

5. The foreign national:

1. meets the conditions listed in 1, 2 or 3; and

2. is in Canada with valid temporary resident status;

Effective date and expiration

It takes effect on May 17, 2021, and will expire on February, 2023.

Temporary PR Policy for Hong Kong Residents:

Eligibility Criteria applicable to principal applicants

Based on the public policy considerations, delegated officers may grant permanent resident status to foreign nationals who meet the following conditions:

The foreign national

1. holds a passport issued by

1. the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, as defined by paragraph 190(2)(d) of the Regulations, or

2. the United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas), as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong, as defined by paragraph 190(2)(e) of the Regulations

2. has submitted an application for permanent residence with the applicable forms provided by the department in the application package for this public policy, or by the electronic means made available on the website of the department

3. has attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the 4 language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens:

1. this must be demonstrated by the results of an evaluation by an organization or institution designated by the Minister for the purpose of evaluating language proficiency under subsection 74(3) of the Regulations and

2. the evaluation must be less than 2 years old when the permanent residence application is received

4. is physically present in Canada at the time when an application for permanent residence under this public policy is made, and at the time of granting of permanent residence

5. has a valid temporary resident status in Canada

6. intends to reside in a province or territory other than the province of Quebec

7. meets the criteria of either one of the following streams:

1. Stream A:

1. in the immediate 3 years preceding the date when the application is received, graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada, as defined in section 211.1 of the Regulations with

1. a degree

2. a diploma for completion of a program that is at least 2 years in length or

3. a graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential

• for completion of a program that is at least 1 year in length. To be eligible, that program must require the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance into the program and

• the post-secondary degree or diploma must have been obtained no more than 5 years before the commencement of the graduate or post-graduate program

2. The program of study was completed in any field of study, with at least 50% of the program of study (total courses) completed while physically present in Canada, either in class or online.

2. Stream B:

1. in the immediate 3 years preceding the date when the application is received, completed at least 1 year of full-time work experience, or the equivalent to 1 year of work experience through part-time work, in Canada:

1. work can be completed in any skill level, but must meet the definition of work as per section 2 of the Regulations, and have been authorized by virtue of a work permit, work permit exemption under section 186 of the Regulations or a public policy under section 25.2 of the Act

2. any period of employment during which the foreign national was engaged in full-time study or was self-employed shall not be included in calculating a period of work experience

2. in the immediate 5 years preceding the date when the application is received, graduated with

1. a degree from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada, as defined in section 211.1 of the Regulations or

2. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential along with an equivalency assessment as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Regulations that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary degree or

3. a diploma from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada, as defined in section 211.1 of the Regulations for completion of a program that is at least 2 years in length or

4. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential, along with an equivalency assessment as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Regulations that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary diploma for a program that is at least 2 years in length or

5. a graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential from a post-secondary designated learning institution as defined in section 211.1 of the Regulations

• for completion of a program that is at least 1 year in length. To be eligible that program must require the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance into the program and

• the post-secondary degree or diploma must have been obtained no more than 5 years before the commencement of the graduate or post-graduate program or

6. a foreign diploma, certificate or credential along with an equivalency assessment as defined in subsection 73(1) of the Regulations that indicates that the foreign diploma, certificate or credential is equivalent to a Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential for a program that is at least 1 year in length:

• the graduate or post-graduate diploma program must have required the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance into that program and

• the post-secondary degree or diploma must have been obtained no more than 5 years before the commencement of the graduate or post-graduate program

8. is not inadmissible to Canada

Eligibility requirements applicable to family members

Family members of qualifying applicants can also apply for permanent residence under this program. 

Effective date and expiration

It takes effect on June 1, 2021, and will expire on August 31, 2026.

Application Process

Step 1: Prepare and send an email

Enter this text into the subject line of your email: Request to apply for the Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents: [insert your unique client identifier (UCI) or passport number]

Include only the following details in the body of your email:

• your name

• the email you want to use to communicate with us

• your UCI (which is found on your visa or permit) or your passport number

Step 2: Create an account with Canada Post

After you get the confirmation email from us, you’ll get an email from Canada Post asking you to sign up for an account.

Step 3: Complete your application

The application should be completed based on the instruction guide IMM 5067 and document checklist IMM 0134. 

Step 4: Pay your fees

Step 5: Submit your application

Upload your completed forms and documents to your epost account. If possible, upload or scan them in the order they appear in the document checklist.