Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents - Stream B (Canadian Work Experience)
Stream B of the Hong Kong pathways let eligible Hong Kong residents with recent authorized work experience in Canada apply directly for permanent residence. Applicants had to be in Canada, intend to live outside Quebec, and meet a modest language threshold. The work could be in any occupation; no current job offer was required.
Closed
Closed on August 31, 2026, when the temporary public policy expired. IRCC continues to process applications received on or before that date, and applicants can still apply for an open work permit while their application is processed.
Status
Job offer
How you apply
Key requirements
| Age | No age requirement in the stream criteria |
| Education | No education requirement in the stream criteria |
| Language | English or French at level 5 (CLB/NCLC 5) in all 4 abilities (minimum CLB 5) |
| Work experience | At least 1,560 hours of authorized paid work in Canada within the 3 years before applying, and must have held a Canadian work permit for at least 1 year in that period; student, self-employed, overseas and leave hours did not count. Valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, or a British National (Overseas) passport issued to a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong; must be in Canada with valid temporary resident status when applying and when permanent residence is granted |
| Job offer | Not required |
| Where you must live | Must intend to live outside Quebec |
| How you apply | Direct application when you meet the requirements |
Summary only — requirements change and details decide real cases. Always confirm the full criteria on the official program page before applying: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/hong-kong-residents-permanent-residence.html (this record was verified against that source on 23 Oct 2026). This page is general information, not legal or immigration advice.
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How long will it take?
Current IRCC processing-time estimates, recorded daily.