Canada: Hong Kong Permanent Residence Pathways Closed to New Applications

Canada’s permanent residence pathways for eligible Hong Kong SAR residents stopped accepting new applications on August 31, 2026, as scheduled. The government will continue to process applications received on or before that date. 

Introduced in 2021, the pathways were available to eligible Hong Kong SAR residents who either graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution or acquired at least one year of Canadian work experience and met applicable language and education requirements. 

Applicants under either pathway may continue to apply for an open work permit while their permanent residence application is pending, provided they held a Canadian work or study permit during the three years before they applied for permanent residence. The open work permit policy, which allows holder to work independently or for most employers in Canada, will remain in effect until May 2029.  

This alert is for informational purposes only. If you have any questions, please contact the global immigration professional with whom you work at Fragomen.