(Applicable to HKSAR passport or BNO holders, applications are now accepted until August 31, 2026)
We believe everyone has heard of Canada's Stream A / B permanent resident (PR) immigration path, which is commonly known as the "Lifeboat Plan". The plan will start from June 1, 2021 and last until August 31, 2026. It accepts applications from eligible Hong Kong SAR passport or BNO holders. The conditions are nothing more than study or work experience in Canada, but how to choose the fastest and most economical?
Stream A - For Canadian graduates
Stream A is for Canadian graduates who have graduated from a Canadian institution (public or private) within 3 years of submitting their application, and the course requirements are subject to one of the following:
2-year diploma program
Degree programs (including bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees)
A postgraduate diploma or certificate of 1 year or more
Applicants need to study in Canada half of the time, whether attending classes in person or taking online classes, and need to spend 50% or more of the time in Canada. Regardless of which course you graduate from, you need to submit transcripts and graduation certificates when applying for permanent residency.
Since 2021, many Hong Kong applicants, whether they are 18 or 60 years old, have tried to apply for student visas to study in Canada, hoping to graduate before August 31, 2026. However, as Canada tightens its student visa policy in January 2024, the success rate of applicants aged 35 or above in obtaining student visas has also decreased. If you still want to study a 2-year diploma course in Canada before the expiration date, the start of school in January 2025 is the last chance.
Stream B - Applicable to Hong Kong graduates in the past 10 years or those who have 1 year of work experience in Canada
Stream B is for Hong Kong graduates---On February 8, 2021, the Canadian Immigration Department launched a corresponding open work permit, allowing graduates holding a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region passport or BNO who have graduated from a local or overseas institution in Hong Kong within the past 10 years (2-year diploma or above) to apply for this open work permit with a validity period of 3 years and then go to Canada to work.
As long as you have 1,560 hours of work experience in Canada (one year of full-time work, or more than one year of part-time work), you can apply for permanent residency through Stream B. For applicants who do not want to spend money on studying and want to join the Canadian job market as soon as possible, Stream B is more flexible because there is no restriction on the type of work. All you need to do when applying is submitting a work contract and salary record.
If the applicant has no relatives or friends in Canada and needs ConnectU’s assistance with renting an apartment, airport reception, bank account opening, purchasing daily necessities, job referral, or even permanent residency application, please refer to our company’s Canada Temporary Residence/Immigration Settlement Program .
Although Canada will reduce the number of immigrants from 2025 to 2027, its purpose is not to intentionally reduce the number of applicants from the Hong Kong Lifeboat Program, so as long as you submit your permanent resident application as soon as possible and wait about 12 to 18 months, you will obtain status.
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