Temporary & Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
As of today, February 8, 2021, residents of Hong Kong will be eligible to apply for a new open work permit, valid for up to 3-years. The purpose of this initiative is to allow foreign nationals, specifically Hong Kong residents, to gain valuable Canadian work experience while increasing Canada’s economic growth and recovery efforts during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Am I eligible?
To qualify for the open work permit, you must:
- Be a Hong Kong resident (hold a Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) or British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport), AND
- Have graduated with a Canadian post-secondary diploma or degree (minimum of 2-years in length) in the last 5-years, OR
- Hold an equivalent foreign credential.
Eligible immediate family members, such as spouses and/or dependent children, of the principal applicant, can also obtain Canadian work or study authorization, as required.
How can I apply?
You can apply online, from within Canada, if you meet the above criteria and are currently residing in Canada. If you are currently residing outside of Canada, then you are subject to obtaining authorization prior to your entry to Canada. Please note that while your application for a work permit may be approved, you still have to abide by the current travel restrictions in place and may not be able to travel to Canada unless you meet a travel exemption.
Permanent Residence
In addition to the open work permit, which only provides you with temporary status in Canada, the Government of Canada also offers two other pathways to permanent residency for Hong Kong residents. To qualify, you must:
- Be a Hong Kong resident, AND
- Have at least 1-year of work experience in Canada, in addition to meeting the language and education criteria, OR
- Have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada.
For more information on these programs or any Canadian immigration matters, contact Pinaz Marolia, pinaz@prmlaw.ca or call 416-320-1751.
