Maple News reports that Canadians looking to sponsor their spouse or common-law partner from Hong Kong have clear pathways under Canada’s family reunification program, but must meet certain eligibility requirements before applying.
To qualify as a sponsor, you must be at least 18 years old and either a Canadian citizen, permanent resident, or a person registered under the Indian Act. You’ll need to sign a legal agreement—known as an undertaking—promising financial responsibility for your spouse or partner and any dependent children. If any of them receive government social assistance during the undertaking period, you may be held financially accountable.
Certain factors can make a sponsor ineligible. A history of violent criminal offences, outstanding immigration loan repayments, undischarged bankruptcy, or sponsoring another spouse within the last three years can disqualify you from applying. Similarly, the partner being sponsored must be over 18 and pass criminal background, security checks, and a medical exam. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will also assess whether the relationship is genuine and not a way to obtain permanent resident status fraudulently.
Applicants can apply through “outland” or “inland” sponsorship streams. Those living in Hong Kong are typically considered outland applicants. Even if your Canadian partner is residing with you overseas during the process, you must demonstrate plans to move to Canada once your application is approved. Couples living together in Canada generally fall under the inland category, and the foreign partner may be eligible for an open work permit during processing.
Special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents also exist. Since 2021, IRCC has introduced expedited options, including an open work permit pathway for recent Hong Kong post-secondary graduates. While COVID-19-era travel restrictions have relaxed, spouses and common-law partners are exempt from entry restrictions but still must follow public health guidelines when traveling to Canada.
Canadian immigration documentation requirements can vary depending on where you are applying from. Hong Kong applicants should consult IRCC’s country-specific document checklist. For example, individuals born in the People’s Republic of China after 1996 must submit a notarized birth certificate. Additional documents may include the Hong Kong household register (hukou), proof of marital status for children over 16, and an ‘absolute nisi decree’ for those previously divorced in Hong Kong.
Once the application is submitted, IRCC will review it for completeness. Incomplete applications are returned without processing. If deemed complete, the 12-month processing period begins, during which applicants may be asked to submit biometrics, undergo a medical exam, or attend an interview. All required submissions must typically be completed within 30 days.
Applicants can track their case online and receive updates on next steps. The final phase is the landing process, after which the sponsored spouse or partner officially becomes a Canadian permanent resident.
With Canada continuing to invest in family reunification, including expanding processing capacity, sponsoring a spouse from Hong Kong is increasingly structured and transparent, though it still necessitates thorough preparation and awareness of current requirements.