Anu Verma
New work permit for Hong Kong graduates, skilled workers

February 8, 2021: Canada will allow residents of Hong Kong to apply for an open work permit.

The permit is said to be of a duration of 3 year. On most of the grounds, it is very similar to the Post-graduation work permit (PGWP) offered to international students enrolled in designated learning institutions. However, the length of PGWP is relatively dependent on the duration of course, and the genuineness of the purpose.

Residents of Hong Kong can apply for this work permit only if they are graduated with a Canadian post-secondary diploma/degree within last 5 year. An alternative is to provide IRCC with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) certificate from a certified supplier proving the same equivalency mentioned before. The post-secondary diploma still needs to be 2 year or more in duration.

Students, visitors and temporary workers who are present in Canada can apply for the new open work permit online. Those who are applying from abroad are subject to Canada’s Covid-19 safety measures, including travel restrictions, mandatory quarantine, using ArriveCAN app and testing. However, if the applicant has a job offer, or completely meet the criteria of any travel exemption in place, the safety measure may be waived off.

In addition, Canada is also working on two pathways that will help the residents of Hong Kong to apply for permanent residency in Canada.

  • Pathway for Hong Kong residents with 1 year of Canadian experience while meeting the language and education requirement.
  • Pathway for Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a Canadian educational institution and can directly apply for permanent residence.

Relative to the purpose, eligible spouse/common-law partner, dependent children can also apply to attain an immigration status (student, worker) for Canada along with the principal applicant.

These measures also apply to Hong Kong residents who hold a Hong Kong special administrative region (SAR) or British National (Overseas) (BN(O)) passport.

Hong Kong residents are now also exempt for the 12-month bar on a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA). If the residents of Hong Kong fear persecution, they can now apply for an updated assessment without having to wait for 12-month period.