Canada Launches Hong Kong Pathway for Recent Graduates and Skilled Workers with Faster Permanent Residency on February 8, 2021

February 8, 2021

On February 8, 2021, Canada will officially launch a special pathway named “HONG KONG PATHWAY” to provide people in Hong Kong with the opportunity to apply for a three-year Canadian work permit. This policy is meant to attract young Hong Kong people to immigrate to Canada.

Any Hong Kong resident (holding a SAR or BNO passport) who has obtained a college degree or above in Canada in the past five years can apply for this Open Work Permit which will be valid for up to three years in Canada. A college diploma will require at least two years of courses to qualify.

For Hong Kong residents in Canada, including visitors, students and workers, they can apply for a new open work permit online. Those who apply from outside Canada must comply with Canada’s coronavirus safety measures, including travel restrictions, mandatory isolation and testing (if you need to enter Canada, you need to meet the exemption conditions, such as having found a job in Canada, etc.).

IRCC pointed out that young people in Hong Kong can apply for permanent residents of Canada after accumulating certain work experience in Canada with a three-year work permit. At the same time, the applicant’s spouse or common-law partner and their dependent children can also apply for Canadian study or work visas as appropriate.

In addition to the work permits, Canada is also studying two special pathways for Hong Kong people to directly apply for permanent residents. These new procedures will be launched later this year:

1. Hong Kong residents who have at least one year of Canadian work experience and meet language and education/educational standards
2. International students from Hong Kong who graduated from a Canadian post-secondary school

With the information currently given by IRCC, applicants who meet any of the above conditions can apply directly for the Permanent Resident Card and become a permanent resident of Canada without the need to get ranked and scored. There is also no limit on the number of allowed applicants.

Currently, Hong Kong residents can also be exempted from the 12-month limit on risk assessment before relocation, which means that some previously unqualified people can get a new assessment to determine whether they can stay in Canada.

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino had announced these measures in November, as part of an effort to support Hongkongers who want to immigrate to Canada.：

“With flexible open work permits and a fast-track to permanent residency, skilled Hong Kong residents will have a unique opportunity to develop their careers and help accelerate Canada’s economic recovery. This is a landmark immigration initiative that will strengthen our economy and will deepen the ties between Canada and the people of Hong Kong.”

For more information on how to apply for a new Canadian Open Work Permit, or to consult any relevant policies for studying and immigration, please contact us for consultation: