Maple News reports that Canada has officially launched two new immigration programs offering permanent residency pathways for eligible Hong Kong residents currently in Canada. The initiative, first announced by Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino in November 2020, is part of a broader response to political developments in Hong Kong and aims to attract skilled talent to support Canada’s post-pandemic economic recovery.
The new immigration streams—Stream A and Stream B—are now open to applications. They specifically target recent graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong who are residing in Canada with valid temporary status. These measures come in the wake of Beijing’s implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong, which sparked global concern over declining democratic freedoms and led the Canadian government to intensify efforts to support Hong Kongers seeking stability and opportunity abroad.
Stream A is designed for recent graduates who have obtained a post-secondary credential from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution in the past three years. Applicants must have completed at least 50% of their studies in Canada, either online or in-person. Eligibility covers diplomas of at least two years in duration or graduate-level credentials of at least one year, provided a prior educational credential was obtained within five years before starting the program.
Stream B caters to individuals with at least one year of full-time work experience (or 1,560 hours part-time) in Canada accumulated within the last three years. Applicants under this stream must also hold a recognized post-secondary credential obtained in the past five years, though the credential doesn’t need to be from a Canadian institution.
To qualify for either stream, applicants must be holding a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or as a British National (Overseas) from Hong Kong. They must maintain valid temporary resident status in Canada at both the time of application and when permanent residence is granted. Language proficiency, education, and admissibility standards must also be met, in keeping with Canada’s general immigration requirements.
It’s important to note that these programs do not apply to individuals residing in Quebec, as the province has sole jurisdiction over its immigration policies. Interested candidates in Quebec are encouraged to contact the Ministère de l’Immigration, de la Francisation et de l’Intégration (MIFI) for provincial immigration options.
Minister Mendicino emphasized the strategic importance of these pathways, stating, “With young Hong Kongers casting their eyes abroad, we want them to choose Canada. Our Hong Kong immigration pathway is a historic initiative, intended to attract talented applicants who will drive our economy forward.”
According to Maple News, the programs reflect Canada’s ongoing commitment to welcoming diverse, skilled newcomers who can contribute meaningfully to the nation’s economic and cultural fabric, while also demonstrating solidarity with individuals facing political uncertainty in their home regions.