Hong Kong permanent residence pathways close August 31

Canada's special permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents stopped taking new applications after August 31, 2026.

What happened

Canada's special permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents, Stream A and Stream B, expired as scheduled on August 31, 2026, and no longer accept new applications. IRCC was reported as saying it would not extend the pathways at this stage.

Stream A was for Hong Kong residents who graduated in the past three years from a Canadian post-secondary institution with a degree, a diploma of at least two years, or a graduate credential of at least one year. Stream B was for those with one year of Canadian work experience within the past three years. The pathways opened on June 1, 2021. As reported, by June 30, 2026, IRCC had received about 30,315 applications covering 48,560 people, approved more than 8,600 applications (13,485 people), and about 13,370 people had become permanent residents.

If you already applied

Applications submitted on or before August 31 continue to be processed normally. However, IRCC reportedly expects most of the remaining files to be finalized after 2027 because of lower admission levels in the relevant category. While waiting, eligible applicants can get an open work permit valid for up to three years; media reports say this measure stays available until May 2029.

If you missed the deadline

Hong Kong residents who did not apply in time can look at regular programs, such as Express Entry (including the Canadian Experience Class), provincial nominee programs or family sponsorship. Eligibility depends on work experience, education, language, age and other factors.

Based on official information available at the time of the announcement. General information only, not legal advice. Immigration rules change often; IRCC and provincial websites prevail.