New PR Streams for Canada – Temporary Public Policy Creating Two Pathways to Permanent Residency to Facilitate the Immigration of Certain Hong Kong Residents

Immigration, Refugees, Citizenship Canada announced two new permanent residence (“PR”) pathways for Hong Kong residents in Canada, plus their family members who are in Canada or abroad. Both PR pathways remain in effect until August 31, 2026. The public policy includes two streams for eligible, potential applicants. There is a Recent Graduate Stream and a Worker Stream. In both streams, applicants must have valid temporary resident status and be physically present in Canada. As well, they must meet certain language, education, work, and eligibility, and admissibility requirements.

The Recent Graduate Stream is for individuals who have completed an eligible program at a post-secondary designated learning institute in Canada in the three years preceding their application for permanent residence. Applicants may be eligible under this stream if they earned a degree, a diploma of 2 years or more or a graduate/post-graduate diploma that was at least one year and required the completion of a post-secondary degree/diploma completed within 5 years of starting the program. In addition, there is a requirement that the applicant was physically present in Canada for at least 50% of the program.

The Worker Stream is for individuals who have at least one year of full-time (or part-time equivalent) work experience in Canada in the three years preceding their application for permanent residence. Applicants may be eligible under this stream if, in addition to their work experience, they earned one of the post-secondary credentials described above in the Recent Graduate Stream, but at an institution either in or outside Canada in the five years preceding their application.

For Hong Kong residents who qualify, this is a unique opportunity to apply for PR in Canada. If you think you may be eligible or for more information on this PR initiative, please contact one of our immigration lawyers.

For Hong Kong residents who qualify, this is a unique opportunity to apply for PR in Canada. If you think you may be eligible or for more information on this PR initiative, please contact one of our immigration lawyers. Our lawyers can be reached by phone (416 368 1111) or via email: caruso@cilf.ca; guberman@cilf.ca; appleby@cilf.ca; cowling@cilf.ca; fagan@cilf.ca; bonisteel@cilf.ca; ali@cilf.ca; green@cilf.ca