Canada extended the open work permit program for Hong Kong residents
On February 6, 2023, Canada extended the deadline to apply to the open work permit program for Hong Kong residents until February 7, 2025. Moreover, Immigration Minister Sean Fraser, expanded the eligibility of the program to Hong Kong residents who have graduated within the past 10 years from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad. Previously, candidates had to have graduated within the past 5 years.
“By extending and expanding Canada’s open work permits for Hong Kongers, we are giving Canadian employers more skilled workers to hire at a time when we need them most and providing valuable work experience, all while also showing our support for the people of Hong Kong.”
The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
It is important to mention that under the Hong Kong open work permit public policy, spouses/common-law partners and dependent children are also eligible to apply for a study or work permit.
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Who qualifies for the Hong Kong open work permit policy?
To be eligible, applicants must show they are Hong Kong residents. Therefore, they must hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas. The open work permit will be valid for up to 3 years or until their passport expires, whichever comes first.
In addition, they must show they recently graduated from a post-secondary program either inside or outside Canada.
Other pathways to permanent residence for eligible Hong Kong applicants
Canada has established two pathways to permanent residence for eligible Hong Kong applicants and their families:
- Stream A: In-Canada graduates
- Stream B: Canadian work experience
Stream A: In-Canada graduates
Hong Kong residents may immigrate to Canada under this option if they meet all the following requirements:
- Hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas
- Have valid temporary status in Canada
- Be physically present in Canada
- Intend to live anywhere in Canada but the province of Quebec
- Meet the language requirements
- Completed studies and graduated from a school in Canada in the past years.
- Received one of the following from the Canadian school: diploma (for a program of at least two years); degree (bachelor’s, masters or doctorate); graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least one year)
- You stayed in Canada for at least 50% of your studies (either in person or online)
Stream B: Canadian work experience
Hong Kong residents may immigrate to Canada under this option if they meet all the following requirements:
- Hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas
- Have valid temporary status in Canada
- Be physically present in Canada
- Intend to live anywhere in Canada but the province of Quebec
- Meet the language requirements
- Completed studies and graduated from a school in or outside Canada in the past years
- Received one of the following:
- a diploma (for a program of at least two years) or a degree from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
- a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least one year) from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
- a foreign educational credential equivalent to one of the following: a Canadian post-secondary diploma (for a program of at least two years); a post-secondary degree from Canada; a Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least one year.
- You have worked in Canada for at least 12 months in the past years
Working in Canada is mandatory for Stream B. Therefore, your work experience must meet all of the following:
- It was 12 months of full-time work or equivalent to full time (i.e., at least 1,560 hours)
- The work experience occurred in the past three years, and it was in Canada
- You had proper authorization to work in Canada, either with or without a work permit.
- None of the following applies to your work experience in Canada:
- self-employed
- outside Canada
- working while being a full-time student
- unemployment
- being on leave or extended absence
These two pathways will be in effect from June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026. Make sure to consult with a professional on this subject.
Let us help!
If you are interested in the Hong Kong residents’ immigration pathways in Canada, fill out the following form. We will review the form and will get back to you. However, for other immigration options, please fill out our free assessment form. Alternatively, you may book a consultation session with Al Parsai.
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