After Canada announced its lifeboat plan in February, in just four months, it has received thousands of applications for Open Work Permit from Hong Kong residents.
Yesterday, the Canadian Federal Department of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship (IRCC) released more relevant details. The following is an explanation for everyone.
It should be noted that eligible applicants must hold a Canadian temporary residence visa (including student visa and work visa) during the period of applying for permanent residence (PR) and when obtaining PR. Applicants must meet the local language level, hold a special zone and BNO passport, be in Canada and intend to settle outside Quebec. The relevant policy will be effective from June 1st, and the application deadline will be until August 31st, 2026.
Stream A: In-Canada Graduates
Have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada in the 3 years before you apply, and with one of the following:
- Degree (bachelor’s, master or doctorate)
- Diploma (for a program of at least 2 years)
- Graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate (for a program of at least 1 year) (*Applicants must have completed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program)
- with at least 50% of your program completed in Canada (either in person or online)
Stream B: Canadian Work Experience
- Have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full time, or an equal amount of part-time hours in the 3 years before you apply.
- Post-secondary education in Canada or anywhere else within 5 years:
- Bachelor’s, Master’s, and PhD degrees from a designated learning institution in Canada.
- Overseas diploma, certificate or certification and recognised as equivalent to a bachelor’s, master’s, or doctorate degree from designated learning institutions in Canada.
- A minimum of 2 years diploma from a designated learning institution in Canada.
- Overseas diplomas, certificates or certifications that are recognised as equivalent to a minimum of 2 years of Canadian designated learning institution diplomas.
- Undergraduate or postgraduate diploma, certificate or certification from a designated learning institution in Canada.
- At least 1 year and requires a higher education degree or diploma as entry requirements.
- The higher education degree or diploma must be obtained no more than 5 years before the start of the undergraduate or postgraduate diploma, certificate or certification.
- Overseas diplomas, certificates or certifications that are recognised as equivalent to the undergraduate or postgraduate diplomas, certificates or certifications of a designated higher education college in Canada for a period of at least 1 year.
- The overseas diploma, certificate or certification requires a higher education degree or diploma as an admission requirement.
- The higher education degree or diploma must be obtained no more than 5 years before the start of the foreign diploma, certificate or certification.
In fact, the way for Stream B to obtain PR has a certain relationship with the work visa program for Hong Kong people launched earlier this year. The program allows Hong Kong people who have graduated from post-secondary education within five years to obtain a three-year Open Work Permit (OWP). OWP holders can accumulate work experience based on this, and then pass Stream B to obtain permanent residence.
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