Canadian open work permit for Hong Kong residents extended for additional two years.

The open work permit for Hong Kong residents in Canada was set to expire today, 7th February 2023. Addressing the press on the day of its expiry, Immigration minister Sean Fraser announced the extension of OWP for Hong Kongers for additional two years. Thus, Hong Kong residents currently present in Canada (as visitors, students and workers) can apply for this open work permit with Canada. However, those currently living in Hong Kong (or elsewhere) must comply with the ongoing travel restrictions unless they have a job offer or meet the travel requirements. Generally, all passengers travelling from Hong Kong to Canada must carry a negative COVID-19 test.

The following are the essential requirements for Hong Kongers to be eligible for a Canadian work permit;

• must be a graduate of a Canadian institute with a post-secondary education or diploma in the last ten years.
• Or have an equivalent foreign credential which can be assessed and accepted by the Educational Credential Assessment.
• And the post-secondary education or diploma program must be for a minimum of two years.

Hong Kong is among the largest source of immigrants in Canada. As of 2021 data, 200k+ residents in Canada were born in Hong Kong. Until 1997, Hong Kong was the number one source of Canadian immigration; when Hong Kong ceased to be a British colony and was handed back to the Chinese government, numbers dropped significantly. Today Hong Kong stands fifth among Asian countries for immigrants in Canada.

Hong Kongers with all or partial post-secondary education from a Canadian institute can now apply for permanent residency in Canada. Canada has a dedicated permanent residency plan for Hong Kongers.

There are two pathways (streams) available;

Steam A – open to former Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada within the last three years. The candidate must have completed at least 50 percent of the program while physically in Canada, even if classes were online. The candidate:

• Must have graduated with a degree, diploma (2 years or longer), or graduate or post-graduate credential (1 year or longer) from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada within the last three years;
• Must meet the language requirements of CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French;
• Must have a valid temporary resident status in Canada;
• Must intend to live in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Stream B – open to former Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad and have at least one year of work experience in Canada. Those who graduated abroad need to provide an educational credential assessment (ECA) to show that their foreign credential is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary one. The candidate:

• Must have graduated with a degree, diploma (2 years or longer), or graduate or post-graduate credential (1 year or longer) from a post-secondary learning institution in Canada or abroad within the last ten years;
• Must have at least one year of work experience in Canada within the last three years;
• Must meet the language requirements of CLB/NCLC 5 in English or French;
• Must have a valid temporary resident status in Canada;
• Must intend to live in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Important – under both streams mentioned above, principal applicants may also include spouses, partners and dependent children in Canada. Additionally, the principal applicant must have their passport issued by either one of the following authorities;

• the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China;
• the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas, as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong.