After you apply

How we process your application

We’ll review your application to make sure

• it’s complete
• you meet all the eligibility requirements
• you paid your fees
• you included all the required documents

Your application may be delayed if

• there are any criminal or security problems, or we need to do more background checks
• your family situation isn’t clear (this could include 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

If your application isn’t complete

We may return or refuse your application if

• it’s missing any required documents
• you didn’t pay your fees

If your application is complete

You’ll receive an acknowledgement of receipt (AOR) after we open your application and check that it’s complete. This AOR is different from the electronic message you receive as soon as you apply in the Permanent Residence Portal.

We’ll ask you, and any family members you include in your application, to

• give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics), if required
• complete medical exams

Get your fingerprints and photo taken

You and your family members may need to give your fingerprints and photo (biometrics) after you apply for permanent residence. Find out if you need to give your biometrics.

Get a medical exam

You don’t need to complete a medical exam before you apply.
We’ll ask you to complete one after we review your application.

You must complete a medical exam before you can become a permanent resident of Canada. Your family members must also complete medical exams, even if they’re not coming with you to Canada. You won’t be able to sponsor them in the future if they don’t complete these exams.

We won’t approve your application if your health

• is a danger to Canada’s public health or safety
• would cause too much demand on health or social services in Canada

When we ask you to complete your exam, we’ll send you both of the following:

• medical forms for you and any family members you include in your application
• instructions about finding a doctor in your area who is authorized to do immigration medical exams

Continuing to work in Canada

If your initial Hong Kong open work permit (or any other type of work or study permit you have) will expire while you wait for a decision on your permanent resident application, you and your family members may be eligible to apply for another open work permit to keep working in Canada for up to 3 years.

Find out more about the open work permit for applicants of the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents.

If we approve your application

Make sure you pay your right of permanent residence fee (if you haven’t already).

We’ll contact you to

• give you a confirmation of permanent residence document, which confirms you’ve been approved to become a Canadian permanent resident
• confirm your mailing address in Canada, so we can send you your permanent resident card (PR card)

If you have family members outside Canada, we may also send you permanent resident visas for them (if they need visas to enter Canada).

Find out what it means to become a permanent resident.

If we refuse your application

We’ll send you a letter that explains why we refused your application.