Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents

This section provides instructions on how to process permanent residence applications made under the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents who currently reside in Canada, and for their family members in Canada or overseas.

The temporary public policy creating two pathways to permanent residence to facilitate the immigration of certain Hong Kong residents, created under the authority of section 25.2 of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, takes effect on June 1, 2021, and expires on August 31, 2026. The public policy was updated on August 15, 2023. The additional 3 months will give applicants who graduate in June 2026 sufficient time to submit an application. This public policy includes 2 groups of potential applicants:

1. Stream A: graduation with a degree, diploma (2 years or longer), or graduate or post-graduate credential (1 year or longer) from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada in the last 3 years
2. Stream B: 1 year of in-Canada work experience within the last 3 years

This public policy is part of a number of facilitative measures put in place to support Hong Kong residents who are seeking alternatives to remaining in or returning to Hong Kong.