top of page
OS Logo_edited.png

Canada


Canada’s immigration policies are renowned for their openness, flexibility, and diversity, attracting top talent, skilled workers, entrepreneurs, and international students from across the globe. As one of the most sought-after immigration destinations worldwide, Canada excels in offering a high quality of life, fostering multicultural integration, and creating abundant economic opportunities and employment prospects. In 2024, the Canadian passport ranks 7th globally, granting visa-free access to 188 countries and territories.

 

Hong Kong Pathways


Policy Duration: June 1, 2021, to August 31, 2026


Pathway 1: Stream A (Study-to-Immigrate Program)


Eligibility Criteria:


  1. Hold a HKSAR or BNO passport.

  2. Within three years before application, complete one of the following programs at a recognized Canadian post-secondary institution:


• At least a two-year undergraduate program, or

• A master’s program, or

• A doctoral program, or

• A one-year advanced diploma/graduate certificate program, provided that within five years before starting this program, the applicant completed a diploma or degree program.


  1. Achieve an English proficiency level of CLB 5 or IELTS 5 or higher.


Key Notes:


• Those intending to immigrate via a two-year diploma program should aim to begin their studies by September 2024. Failing to do so may significantly impact their permanent residency application.

• Application deadline: August 31, 2026.


Pathway 2: Stream B (Work-to-Immigrate Program)


Eligibility Criteria:


  1. Hold a HKSAR or BNO passport.

  2. Achieve an English proficiency level of CLB 5 or IELTS 5 or higher.

  3. Accumulate at least one year of full-time work experience in Canada (a minimum of 1,560 hours) in a non-student or self-employed capacity.


Key Notes:


• Application deadline: August 31, 2026.

• Complete one year of Canadian work experience by August 30, 2025.

• If work experience is incomplete, apply for an Open Work Permit (OWP) by the deadline of February 7, 2025.


Open Work Permit (OWP)


Eligibility Criteria:


  1. Hold a HKSAR or BNO passport.

  2. Within 10 years before application, complete one of the following programs either in Canada or abroad:


• At least a two-year undergraduate program, or

• A master’s program, or

• A doctoral program, or

• A one-year advanced diploma/graduate certificate program, provided that within five years before starting this program, the applicant completed a diploma or degree program.


  1. If education was completed outside Canada, obtain Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) validation.


Key Notes:


• Application deadline: February 7, 2025.

• Holders of OWP can later apply for permanent residency through Stream B.

 

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program


Launched in 2013 and made permanent in 2018, the Start-Up Visa Program aims to attract innovative entrepreneurs to Canada, encouraging them to establish businesses that create jobs and drive economic growth.


Key Features:


  1. No age, education, management experience, or minimum investment requirements.

  2. Applicants must secure support from designated investment organizations.

  3. No scrutiny of funding sources; business success does not affect permanent residency status.

  4. Applicants and their spouses can apply for three-year Open Work Permits (OWPs).

  5. Applications can be processed in Hong Kong, and successful candidates may settle in any Canadian city.

 

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)


Canada consists of 10 provinces, each with its own Provincial Nominee Program tailored to address its unique economic and labor needs.


Key Features:


  1. Application requirements vary by province and program.

  2. The federal government collaborates with provinces to align population growth and financial inflows with regional needs.

  3. Provinces with greater labor shortages often have lower points thresholds and more lenient requirements compared to larger provinces.

bottom of page