On This Page You Will Find
- Why Canada is closing its Hong Kong immigration pathways
- How many Hong Kong permanent residence applications Canada received
- Why processing times are expected to increase
- Who qualified under Streams A and B
- What happens to applications already submitted
- How open work permits can help applicants waiting for permanent residence
- What immigration options remain for Hong Kong residents
Canada is closing its special permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents to new applications on August 31, with tens of thousands of people still waiting for decisions.
Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) confirmed that it will not extend the special pathways at this stage. However, the department will continue to process applications submitted on or before the August 31 deadline.
The pathways have received applications covering 48,560 people since Canada introduced them in 2021.
But only about 13,370 people had become permanent residents through the program as of June 30, 2026.
Earlier IRCC figures also showed that 31,900 people remained in the Hong Kong pathway processing inventory as of January 31.
The backlog is particularly significant because IRCC has warned that reduced immigration levels mean most applicants are now expected to be processed after 2027.
The result is that Canada is closing the Hong Kong immigration pathways to new applicants while a substantial number of people who already applied face potentially lengthy waits for permanent residence.
Nearly 49,000 People Covered By Hong Kong PR Applications
Canada introduced the special Hong Kong permanent residence pathways in 2021 in response to growing concerns about political and civil rights in Hong Kong.
The latest IRCC figures show the scale of demand for the program.
As of June 30, 2026, Canada had received 30,315 applications covering 48,560 people.
More than 8,600 applications, representing 13,485 people, had been approved. About 13,370 people had actually become Canadian permanent residents.
Those figures mean approximately 35,000 people covered by applications had not yet obtained permanent residence as of June 30.
That does not mean all 35,000 remained in the processing inventory. Some applications may have been refused or withdrawn.
However, a separate IRCC snapshot illustrates the size of the outstanding caseload.
As of January 31, 2026, IRCC reported that 31,900 people remained in the Hong Kong pathway processing inventory. About 14,000 people had received a final decision, with an approval rate of 98 per cent.
The figures show that Canada is ending new intake long before it has finished processing the existing caseload.
Most Hong Kong Applicants Expected To Wait Until After 2027
The end of new applications does not mean IRCC will quickly clear the remaining Hong Kong permanent residence cases.
IRCC has already warned that lower immigration targets will lead to longer waits.
In briefing material prepared for the House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration, the department said most applicants under the Hong Kong pathways are expected to be processed after 2027.
The Hong Kong pathways do not have a separate allocation under Canada’s Immigration Levels Plan.
Instead, admissions fall under the broader Humanitarian and Compassionate and Other category.
Canada’s reduced admission levels in that category limit the number of applicants IRCC can grant permanent residence each year, even when applicants have already met the requirements of the special Hong Kong program.
Reports have already highlighted the consequences for some applicants.
OMNI News reported in July that some Hong Kong applicants had received projected processing estimates of more than 10 years.
Those estimates should not be interpreted as a standard IRCC processing time for every Hong Kong pathway applicant. However, they illustrate the uncertainty facing people in the queue as Canada reduces permanent residence admissions.
Why Did Canada Create The Hong Kong Immigration Pathways?
Canada launched the pathways in 2021 following China’s imposition of the National Security Law on Hong Kong in 2020.
The federal government said the measures were designed to provide immigration options for Hong Kong residents amid growing concerns over political freedoms and human rights.
IRCC has said civil and political rights in Hong Kong, including freedom of expression and freedom of assembly, have significantly and steadily declined.
Canada has also pointed to the introduction of further national security legislation under Article 23 in 2024.
The special measures became widely known among Hong Kong residents as Canada’s “lifeboat” immigration pathway.
Canada subsequently expanded access to the program.
In 2023, the federal government removed the previous education requirement from Stream B, making Canadian work experience the main qualifying factor for that pathway.
The change opened the program to more Hong Kong residents already living and working in Canada and contributed to increased demand.
What Are Canada’s Two Hong Kong Permanent Residence Streams?
Canada created two routes to permanent residence under the special program.
Stream A – In-Canada Graduates
Stream A was designed for eligible Hong Kong residents who had recently completed post-secondary studies in Canada.
Applicants generally needed to have graduated from an eligible Canadian post-secondary institution within the three years before submitting their permanent residence application.
Stream B – Canadian Work Experience
Stream B targeted Hong Kong residents who had established themselves in the Canadian labour market.
Applicants needed at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work experience during the three years before applying.
They also needed to have held a Canadian work permit for at least one year during that period.
Both streams required applicants to be physically present in Canada when they applied and when permanent residence was granted.
Applicants also needed valid temporary resident status, an intention to live outside Quebec and language ability of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) 5 in speaking, listening, reading and writing.
What Happens To Hong Kong PR Applications Already Submitted?
IRCC says the closure only affects new applications.
Applicants who submit a complete permanent residence application on or before August 31, 2026, remain in the system.
IRCC will continue processing those applications after the pathway closes.
That distinction is important given the number of people already waiting.
For many applicants, maintaining legal status and the right to work in Canada could become increasingly important as permanent residence processing stretches beyond 2027.
Hong Kong Open Work Permits Remain Available Until 2029
Canada has kept a separate temporary measure in place for eligible Hong Kong residents waiting for decisions on their permanent residence applications.
Eligible applicants can obtain an open work permit valid for up to three years while IRCC processes their permanent residence case.
IRCC has confirmed that the special open work permit measure will remain available until May 2029, despite the closure of the permanent residence pathways to new applications.
The measure could become increasingly important as applicants face longer waits.
An open work permit allows eligible Hong Kong applicants to continue working for most employers in Canada without relying on a specific employer for their work authorization.
Applicants must continue to meet the requirements of the temporary measure and ensure they maintain valid status in Canada while their permanent residence application is processed.
What Options Remain For Hong Kong Residents After August 31?
Hong Kong residents who have not applied through the special pathways by the August 31 deadline will generally need to consider Canada’s regular immigration programs if they want permanent residence.
Potential options depend on an individual’s education, work experience, language ability, age, location and other circumstances.
They can include Express Entry, the Provincial Nominee Program, family sponsorship and other federal or provincial immigration pathways.
Some Hong Kong residents already working in Canada may have competitive profiles for economic immigration, particularly if they have accumulated skilled Canadian work experience and meet the requirements of the Canadian Experience Class or another Express Entry program.
However, the closure marks the end of a distinct permanent residence route that Canada created specifically for Hong Kong residents following the political changes that began in 2020.
For those who applied before the deadline, the immediate issue now shifts from eligibility to processing.
With tens of thousands of people still waiting and IRCC warning that most remaining applicants will not be processed until after 2027, the legacy of Canada’s Hong Kong immigration program could continue for years after its doors close to new applications.
Frequently Asked Questions
When do Canada’s Hong Kong permanent residence pathways close?
Canada’s special permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents close to new applications on August 31, 2026. IRCC says applications submitted on or before the deadline will continue to be processed. The closure affects new applications and does not cancel applications that are already in the system.
How many people applied through Canada’s Hong Kong immigration pathways?
IRCC had received 30,315 applications covering 48,560 people as of June 30, 2026. More than 8,600 applications covering 13,485 people had been approved, while approximately 13,370 people had become permanent residents through the pathways.
How long will Hong Kong permanent residence applicants have to wait?
IRCC has warned that most applicants are expected to be processed after 2027 because admissions under the relevant Immigration Levels Plan category have been reduced. Individual processing times can vary considerably, and some applicants have reportedly received projected estimates extending well beyond that timeframe.
Can Hong Kong applicants continue working while waiting for permanent residence?
Eligible Hong Kong permanent residence applicants can apply for a special open work permit that can be valid for up to three years. IRCC has confirmed that this temporary measure will remain available until May 2029, helping eligible applicants maintain their ability to work in Canada during lengthy PR processing.
What immigration options do Hong Kong residents have after the pathways close?
Hong Kong residents who miss the August 31 deadline can consider Canada’s regular immigration programs. Depending on their circumstances, options could include Express Entry, the Canadian Experience Class, Provincial Nominee Programs or family sponsorship. Eligibility depends on factors including work experience, education, language ability, age and Canadian connections.