Since the implementation of Canada's Stream A/B (Lifeboat Scheme) for Hong Kong people on June 1, 2021, 3,122 Hong Kong people have obtained permanent resident status (until April 30, 2023). Among them, 2,358 people obtained status through Stream A, i.e. after graduating from Canada, and 764 people obtained status through Stream B, i.e. after working full-time in Canada for one year or more (1,560 hours).
With the impact of international situation and Canada's domestic livelihood and economy, the IRCC has launched an immigration levels plan from 2025 to 2027, and the lifeboat plan will end on August 31, 2026. The following are the deadlines for visa and permanent resident applications related to it:
Open Work Permit :
Applicable to Hong Kong graduates in the past 10 years (regardless of local or overseas)
Valid for 3 years
Graduates of the 2-year diploma program need to apply for educational credential assessment (ECA)
Application deadline: February 7, 2025
Canada Stream A/B (Lifeboat Plan) :
Stream A applicants need to provide transcripts and graduation certificates
Stream B applicants need to provide proof of employment and salary records
Proof of English language proficiency (CLB 5: equivalent to IELTS reading score of 4, other 3 scores of 5, or CELPIP scores of 5)
Application deadline: August 31, 2026
Bridging Open Work Permit :
After submitting a Stream A/B application, since it currently takes 12-18 months for approval, if the applicant and his/her family’s visas are about to expire during the waiting period, they can apply for a Bridging Open Work Permit to maintain their status in Canada and wait for the approval result.
Applicants must have held a valid student permit or work permit in the past 3 years
Valid for 3 years
You must be within Canada when you apply
Application deadline: May 2029