Open Work Permit for Hong Kong Applicants
Index
Intro
On February 8 2021, Canada launched ‘Hong Kong Pathway’ to allow Hong Kong Applicants to apply for a 3 year work permit to work in Canada, in order to attract recent graduates and skilled workers with faster permanent residency.
Hong Kong applicants that are already in Canada, including visitors, students and workers, can apply online for the new Open Work Permit. Those who apply from outside of Canada must comply with Canada’s coronavirus safety measures, including travel restrictions, mandatory isolation and testing (if you need to enter Canada, you need to meet the exemption conditions, such as having found a job in Canada, etc.).
IRCC points out that，young Hong Kong applicants can apply for permanent residency in Canada after getting enough work experience in Canada with this 3-year work permit.
Requirements
1. Holders of Hong Kong Special Administrative Region SAR or British BN(O) passports
2. Graduated from a Designated Learning Institution in Canada, or graduated from an overseas college or above, with the following qualifications:
- Valid Degree
- College Diploma
- Educational credential assessment for degrees/diplomas obtained in other countries
Submission Method
Applying From within Canada
- Have visitor status/study permit/work permit
- Did not receive a deportation order from the IRCC
- Mained valid status when applying, or will have to have status restored first
- Need to submit the following documents:
-
- Submission Letter for Exemption of Work Permit application fee
- Degree Certificate, Graduation Certificate, Transcript
- Passport
- Digital Photo (Click to view official photo requirements and specifications)
- Family Information Form（IMM 5707）
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
Applying from outside Canada
- Have visitor status/study permit/work permit
- Qualification certificate, proving that you are competent to meet the job requirements provided by the employer
- Resume
- Work Permit Application Fee
- Digital Photo
- Family Info Form IMM 5707
- Marriage Certificate (if applicable)
- Submit a letter stating “Not applicable” with 1 of the following:
-
- Employment reference letter
- Letter from current employer
- Employment records
- Employment contract
Due to the pandemic, applicants whose applications are approved still cannot enter Canada unless:
- Work permit approval letter from the consulate
- Valid Canadian Job Offer
- Can start working after 14 days of quaratine
Q&A
A: Based on the current information given by IRCC, applicants can apply for a Permanent Resident Card and become a Canadian citizen as long as the given requirements are met. There is no need to participate to get scored, and there is no limit on the number of applicants accepted.
A: Yes. Hong Kong applicants can also exempted from the 12-month pre-relocation risk assessment limit, which means people who are unqualified previously can get a new assessment, to determine whether they can stay in Canada.
Fees
- We only accept service fees, which does not include fees for applicantion, translation, notarization, courier and other third-party fees.
- The service fee is charged according to the customer’s situation. If it is more complicated, there may be additional charges (please refer to customer evaluation).