Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathway - Stream A - In-Canada Graduates

## Stream A: In-Canada graduates To be eligible for this stream, you must * hold a valid passport issued by one of the following: * Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China * United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong * be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you get permanent residence * have valid temporary resident status in Canada * intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec * take an approved language test that shows you have a level 5 score in all 4 skills (reading, writing, listening and speaking) in English or French on one of the following scales: * Canadian Language Benchmarks (CLB) * Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) * have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada * in the 3 years before you apply * with one of the following: * a diploma (not graduate or postgraduate) for a program of at least 2 years * a degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) * a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year and * with at least 50% of your program completed in Canada (either in person or online) ### If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate You must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree (from Canada or from abroad), as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program. You must have competed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program. ## Document navigation

Status: Closed We’re no longer accepting new applications. The permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents closed on August 31, 2026. We’ll continue to process applications we accepted on or before this date. You can still apply for an open work permit so you can work while we process your application. There are 2 streams

1. Stream A: 1. in the immediate 3 years preceding the date when the application is received, graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada, as defined in section 211.1 of the Regulations with 1. a degree 2. a diploma for completion of a program that is at least 2 years in length or 3. a graduate or post-graduate diploma, certificate or credential * for completion of a program that is at least 1 year in length. To be eligible, that program must require the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma as a prerequisite for acceptance into the program and * the post-secondary degree or diploma must have been obtained no more than 5 years before the commencement of the graduate or post-graduate program 2. the program of study was completed in any field of study, with at least 50% of the program of study (total courses) completed while physically present in Canada, either in class or online. 2. Stream B:

has attained a level of proficiency of at least benchmark 5 in either official language for each of the 4 language skill areas, as set out in the Canadian Language Benchmarks or the Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens: 1. this must be demonstrated by the results of an evaluation by an organization or institution designated by the Minister for the purpose of evaluating language proficiency under subsection 74(3) of the Regulations and 2. the evaluation must be less than 2 years old when the permanent residence application is received 4. is physically present

## Post-secondary education (stream A only) You must provide * a copy of your diploma or degree * your final transcripts They must show that you graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada in the last 3 years If you have a diploma or certificate from a graduate or post-graduate program, you must also include both of the following: * proof that this program required you to have a post-secondary diploma or degree as a prerequisite, such as a * copy of the school’s website showing all the prerequisites * letter from the school that lists the prerequisites you needed * a copy of your post-secondary diploma or degree and final transcripts showing that you graduated no more than 5 years before the start of your graduate or post-graduate program ## Canadian work experience

### Humanitarian and compassionate These fees also apply to the * Health-care worker permanent residence pathway * Pathway to permanent residence – Families of Canadian victims of recent air disasters * Temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents * Temporary resident to permanent resident pathway (TR to PR pathway) Fees | $CAN --- | --- Your application This amount includes the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. | 1,260.00 Your application (without right of permanent residence fee) | 660.00 Include your spouse or partner This amount includes the processing fee and the right of permanent residence fee. | 1,260.00 Include your spouse or partner (without right of permanent residence fee) | 660.00 Include a dependent child†www.canada.ca | 180.00 ^{(per child)} ### Permanent resident cards

Biometrics fees | $CAN --- | --- Biometrics (per person) | 85 Biometrics (per family) (2 or more people) Maximum fee for a family of 2 or more people applying at the same time and place | 170 ### How to pay

## About the open work permit If you’ve applied for permanent residence under one of the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents , you may also be eligible for a 3-year open work permit. The work permit lets you work while your permanent residence application is being processed. To qualify for a work permit, you must * have already applied for permanent residence through 1 of the 2 pathways for Hong Kong residents * have held a work or study permit within the previous 3 years before you applied for permanent residence * be eligible to apply for a work permit * be in Canada This work permit * is only for the applicants of the Hong Kong permanent resident pathways * is valid for up to 3 years * allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for one that * is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions , or * regularly offers striptease, erotic dance or escort services, or erotic massages ### When to apply for this open work permit You only need to apply for this open work permit if your current temporary resident status will expire while you wait for your permanent resident application to be processed. You have until May 2029 to apply for this open work permit. #### If your temporary resident status has already expired You’re still eligible for this open work permit if * you’re in Canada, and * your temporary status expired less than 90 days ago In this case, you must apply to restore your temporary resident status , including paying the restoration fee (Error loading fee. Check the fee list†ircc.canada.ca .) when you apply for this open work permit. ### Who can’t apply You can’t apply for an open work permit under this public policy if your application for permanent residence has been refused, withdrawn or returned. ### Work permits for family members Your spouse, common-law partner , or dependent child over the age of 18 can apply for an open work permit when you apply for yours, if they were included on your permanent resident application. ### If you want to study in Canada If you or your family members want to study in Canada, you may need to apply for a study permit. If you’re the principal applicant for permanent residence through 1 of the Hong Kong pathways, you may be eligible to study without a study permit . Family members of the principal applicant may need a study permit to study in Canada if they’re planning to study for longer than 6 months. Find out what your family member needs to study in Canada. #### Minor children If your dependent, minor child wants to study in Canada, they may need a study permit. The age of majority depends on the province or territory that you plan to settle in. Find out what a minor child needs to study in Canada . ## How to apply

Status: Closed We’re no longer accepting new applications. The permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents closed on August 31, 2026. We’ll continue to process applications we accepted on or before this date. You can still apply for an open work permit so you can work while we process your application. There are 2 streams

## Time lived in Canada To keep your PR status, you must have been in Canada for at least 730 days during the last five years. These 730 days don’t need to be continuous. Some of your time outside Canada may count towards the 730 days you need. * Find out if your time outside Canada counts toward your 730 days†www.ircc.canada.ca . * Track your time in Canada with our travel journal . ## Losing your permanent resident status You won’t lose your PR status when your PR card expires. You will only lose your PR status if * an officer determines you are no longer a PR after an inquiry or PRTD appeal following a refusal * you voluntarily renounce your PR status * a removal order made against you comes into force * you become a Canadian citizen Even if you don't meet the residency obligation, you will stay a PR until an official decision is made on your status.

## About the open work permit If you’ve applied for permanent residence under one of the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents , you may also be eligible for a 3-year open work permit. The work permit lets you work while your permanent residence application is being processed. To qualify for a work permit, you must * have already applied for permanent residence through 1 of the 2 pathways for Hong Kong residents * have held a work or study permit within the previous 3 years before you applied for permanent residence * be eligible to apply for a work permit * be in Canada This work permit * is only for the applicants of the Hong Kong permanent resident pathways * is valid for up to 3 years * allows you to work for any employer in Canada, except for one that * is listed as ineligible on the list of employers who have failed to comply with the conditions , or * regularly offers striptease, erotic dance or escort services, or erotic massages ### When to apply