Canada Immigration Update

Canada Announces Continued Support for Hong Kongers

Published on: July 11th, 2023

Today the IRCC made an announcement regarding the continued immigration support for Hong Kong residents in Canada. This includes amendments to Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathway to allow for more applicants to be eligible.

Effective August 15, 2023, the education requirement will be removed from the Canadian work experience stream (Stream B) of the Hong Kong permanent residence pathways. This will open doors for more Hong Kongers with Canadian work experience to become eligible for permanent residence

By removing the education requirement, the Canadian government recognizes the value of work experience as a significant factor in assessing an individual’s eligibility for permanent residence. This change not only provides greater opportunities for skilled Hong Kongers but also enables them to contribute their unique skills and experiences to Canada’s diverse workforce.

Canada has been actively supporting Hong Kong residents since 2021, when it introduced dedicated immigration pathways to Hong Kongers looking to stay in Canada. These measures were implemented as a response to the national security law imposed by the Chinese government in Hong Kong, which raised concerns about the erosion of civil liberties and human rights.

In addition to the removal of the education requirement, the Canadian government recently extended and expanded open work permits for Hong Kong residents. This move ensures a smoother transition from temporary to permanent residence for those who wish to make Canada their new home.

The removal of the education requirement under Stream B complements these recent measures and demonstrates Canada’s ongoing commitment to supporting Hong Kong residents. By attracting individuals who have already gained Canadian work experience, Canada aims to harness their talents and contributions, enriching the country’s workforce and promoting economic growth.

Permanent Resident Pathways for Hong Kongers

Canada has permanent resident pathways dedicated to Hong Kong residents who have studied in Canada. There are two streams:

Stream A: Which offers permanent residence to Hong Kong residents that have graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution in the immediate 3 years preceding the date when the application is received.

Stream B: Which offers permanent residence to Hong Kong residents that have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada or abroad and have at least one year of work experience in Canada.

If you’re interested in learning more about how to immigrate to Canada, get started today by filling out our free online assessment. 

Free Immigration Assessment

Recent articles

Canadian Citizenship | United States

How Americans Can Prove Canadian Citizenship Through a Grandparent or Great-Grandparent

If you’re an American with Canadian roots, you may already be a Canadian citizen without knowing it. Bill C-3, An Act to Amend the Citizenship […]

Express Entry Draw | Francophone Immigration

Express Entry Draw #418 | 4,500 ITAs for PR Issued to French Speakers

The latest Express Entry Draw #418 issued 4,500 invitations to French-speaking candidates applying for permanent residence, continuing the strong momentum seen in recent draws with […]

Express Entry Draw

Express Entry CEC Draw #417 | 3,000 Invitations Issued

The ninth Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draw of 2026 issued 3,000 invitations, continuing a consistent trend for the program. This round also marked a stronger […]

Express Entry Draw | Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Express Entry Draw #416 | 334 Invitations Issued in PNP Draw

In Express Entry (EE) Draw #416, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada invited 334 candidates to apply for permanent residence through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) […]

Canadian Citizenship

Lost Canadians: How New Laws Restore Citizenship to U.S. Families

Thanks to Bill C-3, countless descendants of Canadians living in the United States are finally being recognized again under Canadian law. For many, the phrase […]

Canadian Citizenship

Processing Times Have Doubled: Why Americans Are Racing to Lock in Their Canadian Passport Before the Backlog Gets Worse

Thanks to recent changes in Canada’s citizenship laws, millions of Americans who were previously excluded may now qualify for Canadian citizenship by descent. For many […]

Free assessment

Discover your Canadian immigration options. Get your free assessment now!