Key Takeaways
• Canada’s special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents end August 31, 2026.
• As of October 31, 2024, over 26,500 permanent residency applications received; delays extend beyond 2027.
• Canada reduced immigration targets to 395,000 in 2025 and 6,900 Hong Kong admissions in 2026.
Thousands of Hong Kong residents who moved to Canada 🇨🇦 in recent years now find themselves in a difficult position. As of June 1, 2025, many are stuck waiting for decisions on their permanent residency applications, unsure if they should continue building their lives in Canada or consider returning to Hong Kong 🇭🇰. This uncertainty comes after a series of changes to Canada’s special immigration pathways for Hongkongers, new government policies, and growing backlogs in application processing.
Why Are Hong Kong Residents Moving to Canada?
The main reason for the recent wave of migration from Hong Kong to Canada is the national security law imposed by Beijing in 2020. Many Hong Kong residents felt their freedoms and safety were at risk, so they looked for new places to live. In response, the Canadian government created special immigration pathways—sometimes called the “lifeboat scheme”—to help Hongkongers move to Canada more easily.
These pathways were launched in June 2021 and are set to end on August 31, 2026. They were designed to give Hong Kong residents, especially young graduates and skilled workers, a chance to start a new life in Canada with a clear route to permanent residency.
How Do the Hong Kong Immigration Pathways Work?
Canada’s special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents include two main options:
- Stream A: This is for recent graduates from Canadian schools. If you finish your studies at a Canadian college or university, you can apply for permanent residency through this stream.
- Stream B: This is for Hong Kong residents who want to work in Canada. You can get a three-year work permit, and after working full-time for at least one year (or 1,560 hours part-time), you can apply for permanent residency.
You can find more details about these pathways on the official IRCC Hong Kong Pathways page.
As of October 31, 2024, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) had received over 26,500 permanent residency applications from Hong Kong residents through these two streams. About 10,500 had been approved, and fewer than 200 were refused. This means thousands of people are still waiting for a decision.
What Has Changed Recently?
End of the Open Work Permit Program
One of the biggest changes came on February 7, 2025, when Canada ended the special open work permit program for recent Hong Kong graduates. This program, which started in 2021, allowed Hong Kong residents to get a three-year work permit even if they didn’t have a job offer. The IRCC said this was always meant to be a temporary measure.
By the time it ended, the program had received over 49,000 applications, and more than 40,500 were approved. Many of these permit holders are now in Canada, working and hoping to become permanent residents.
Processing Delays Announced
In March 2025, IRCC announced that most permanent residency applications from Hong Kong residents would not be processed until after 2027. The reason is a high number of applications and fewer spots available for new permanent residents. This is a big change from before, when 80% of applications were processed within 12 months.
Lower Immigration Targets
Canada’s new immigration plan for 2025-2027 reduces the number of people who can become permanent residents each year:
- 395,000 in 2025 (down from 500,000 in earlier plans)
- 380,000 in 2026
- 365,000 in 2027
For Hong Kong specifically, the number of new permanent residents will drop from 10,000 in 2025 to 6,900 in 2026.
Prime Minister Mark Carney, who took office after the April 28, 2025 election, has confirmed that these lower targets will stay in place for the next three years.
What Does This Mean for Hong Kong Emigrants in Canada?
Uncertainty and Stress
Many Hong Kong residents in Canada are now feeling anxious and unsure about their future. They have built lives in Canada—working, studying, and making new friends—but now face long waits for permanent residency. Some worry about losing their legal status if their work permits expire before their applications are processed.
One person shared on social media in May 2025 that they felt “very stressed and exhausted” because their work permit was about to expire, but their permanent residency application had not moved forward. They had applied to renew their work permit months earlier, but it was still being processed. This kind of situation is common, and many people are unsure what to do next.
Family Dilemmas
For some, the uncertainty is even harder because of family reasons. The same person mentioned above said their grandmother’s health was getting worse, and they wanted to return to Hong Kong to see her. But they were afraid that if they left Canada, they might lose their chance at permanent residency. It’s not clear if people can wait for their applications to be processed while living outside Canada.
Temporary Solutions
To help people in this situation, Canada introduced a new work permit for Hong Kong residents in May 2024. This permit lets them stay in Canada while waiting for a decision on their permanent residency application. It is valid for up to three years and can be renewed. This gives some relief, but it doesn’t solve the problem of long waits and uncertainty.
Hong Kong residents can also apply for other types of work permits, and those who are at risk of persecution may be able to seek resettlement in Canada under other programs.
How Many Hong Kong Residents Have Moved to Canada?
According to the advocacy group Hong Kong Watch, about 60,000 Hong Kong residents moved to Canada in the three years after the special immigration policy started in 2021. Most of them are young people who recently finished college or university.
By the end of 2024, more than 40,500 Hong Kong residents had received three-year work permits under Stream B. This shows how important these immigration pathways have been for people looking for safety and new opportunities.
Are People Returning to Hong Kong?
While many Hong Kong residents have settled in Canada, some are now thinking about going back to Hong Kong. Vancouver, which has always been a popular city for Hong Kong immigrants, has seen thousands return in recent years.
There are several reasons for this:
- Cultural and language differences: Some people find it hard to adjust to life in Canada, especially if they don’t speak English well or miss their home culture.
- Lifestyle preferences: Life in Canada can be very different from Hong Kong, and not everyone feels comfortable with the change.
- Housing costs: Vancouver is one of the most expensive cities in the world for housing—second only to Hong Kong. This makes it hard for some families to settle down.
Immigration expert Daniel Hiebert points out that many children of Hong Kong immigrants who were born in Canada still have family in Hong Kong. This makes it easier for them to consider moving back. However, he also says that even if Hong Kong’s plan to bring people back works at first, it may not last in the long run.
What’s Next for the Hong Kong Pathways?
The special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents are set to end on August 31, 2026. With the current backlog, many people who applied in 2024 or later may not get a decision until after 2027.
Canada’s new government has said it will keep the lower immigration targets for both permanent and temporary migrants. This means the number of new permanent residents from Hong Kong will likely stay low for the next few years.
For Hong Kong residents in Canada with temporary status, the future is uncertain. They must decide whether to stay and wait for their applications to be processed, try to renew their permits, or consider returning to Hong Kong.
What Should Hong Kong Emigrants in Canada Do Now?
If you are a Hong Kong resident in Canada and waiting for your permanent residency application to be processed, here are some steps you can take:
- Check your permit expiry date: Make sure you know when your work or study permit expires.
- Apply for a new work permit if needed: If your permit is about to expire, you may be able to apply for a new one. The IRCC website has information on how to do this.
- Stay updated on your application status: Use the IRCC online portal to track your application and look for any updates.
- Seek legal advice if unsure: If you are worried about your status or have questions about your options, consider talking to an immigration lawyer or a licensed consultant.
- Keep records of all communications: Save copies of all emails, letters, and forms you send to or receive from IRCC.
What Forms Do You Need?
If you are applying for permanent residency under the Hong Kong Pathways, you will need to fill out specific forms. The main form is the IMM 0008 Generic Application Form for Canada. Make sure you use the latest version from the official government website.
If you are applying for a work permit, you will need the IMM 1295 Application for Work Permit Made Outside of Canada.
Always check the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date forms and instructions.
What Are the Main Challenges?
The biggest challenges facing Hong Kong emigrants in Canada right now are:
- Long processing times: Many people will have to wait years for a decision on their permanent residency applications.
- Uncertainty about status: If work or study permits expire before a decision is made, people may lose their legal right to stay in Canada.
- Family and personal pressures: Some people want to return to Hong Kong to see family, but are afraid of losing their chance at permanent residency.
- Changing government policies: Lower immigration targets mean fewer spots for new permanent residents, making the process even more competitive.
What Are the Implications for Canada and Hong Kong?
For Canada 🇨🇦, the special immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents have brought in thousands of young, educated workers and students. This has helped fill gaps in the workforce and brought new energy to Canadian cities.
However, the recent changes and delays may make Canada less attractive to future immigrants from Hong Kong and other places. If people feel the process is too slow or uncertain, they may look for other countries to move to.
For Hong Kong 🇭🇰, the return of some emigrants could help bring new skills and experiences back to the city. But it’s not clear how many people will actually return, or if they will stay long-term.
Final Thoughts and Practical Guidance
If you are a Hong Kong resident in Canada, it’s important to stay informed about your options and keep track of any changes to immigration policies. Make sure your permits are up to date, and don’t hesitate to seek help if you are unsure about your next steps.
As reported by VisaVerge.com, the situation for Hong Kong emigrants in Canada is complex and changing quickly. While the special immigration pathways have helped many people start new lives, the recent delays and policy changes mean that careful planning and patience are more important than ever.
For the latest updates and official information, always check the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
By staying proactive and informed, you can make the best decisions for yourself and your family during this uncertain time.
Learn Today
Permanent Residency → Status allowing a foreign national to live and work indefinitely in Canada with legal rights.
Open Work Permit → A temporary permit allowing work in Canada without a specific job offer or employer.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) → Canada’s government department responsible for immigration, refugee protection, and citizenship services.
Stream A → Immigration pathway for recent graduates from Canadian educational institutions to apply for permanent residency.
Stream B → Immigration pathway granting Hong Kong residents a three-year work permit leading to permanent residency eligibility.
This Article in a Nutshell
Thousands of Hong Kong residents moved to Canada via special immigration pathways but face long residency delays. Changes include ending open work permits and lower immigration targets. These issues cause uncertainty, stress, and difficult family decisions. Canada’s program aims to help yet challenges remain amid evolving policies through 2027 and beyond.
— By VisaVerge.com
