Special Measure to Support Hong Kong residents to come to Canada

Eligibility:

The following applicants may be eligible as a principal applicant or an accompanying dependent:

• Residents of Hong Kong as defined in the IRPR regardless of place of physical residence
• Immediate and extended family members of Canadian citizens, persons registered under the Indian Act, Canadian permanent residents or protected persons living in Hong Kong regardless of nationality
• Immediate family members of Hong Kong residents who will be working or studying in Canad
  • In these instructions, residents of Hong Kong are defined under paragraphs 190(2)(d) and (e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) as foreign nationals who hold a passport issued by
    • The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, or
    • The United Kingdom to a British National Overseas (BNO), as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong.

Fee waivers and exemptions:

HKSAR and BNO (Hong Kong) passport holders who are temporary residents in Canada may have their fees waived under these special measures if they are applying for an extension of authorization to remain in Canada as a

• temporary resident ($100) [R305(1)]
• worker ($155)
• student ($150)

All foreign nationals applying for Open Work Permit under public policy are exempt from Open Work Permit Holder Fee of $100.

Paper-based applications:

If Applicant is applying via paper based application, applicants submitting a paper-based application must label the envelope with “Urgent – Hong Kong priority” to ensure officers process their application on a priority basis.

Workers:

As of February 8, 2021, foreign nationals who hold either a HKSAR or BNO passport are eligible to apply for an open work permit under a 2-year temporary resident public policy exempting them from the requirements of paragraph R200(1)(c).

Applicants can be residing in Canada or overseas at the time of application. Foreign nationals are not eligible to apply for an open work permit at a port of entry. Work permit applications must be submitted online.

Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) officers may authorize entry as a visitor.

Eligible spouses or common-law partners, as well as dependent children, can also apply for a study or work permit, as appropriate.

Eligibility requirements for work permits:

Education:

The applicants must hold either a

• Degree (bachelor, master, doctorate, etc.) from A Desinited leaning Institution in Canada or equivalent education crendential earn abroad, or
• Diploma from a post-secondary DLI in Canada or the equivalent credential from an overseas institution along with an educational credential assessment (ECA) report from an agency approved by IRCC to confirm Canadian equivalency. The program of study must be at least 2 years in duration.

The ducation credential must have been obtained in the 5 years immediately preceding application submission. Officers may request an ECA report for degress issued overseas.

Mandatory documents:

The following are the mandatory documents required for applicant for this public policy:

• Copy of educational credential, transcripts or proof of enrolment at a post-secondary educational institution
• Copy of HKSAR or BNO passport
• Family Information form [IMM 5707]
• CV or resume
• Digital photo

Police certificates:

Officer reviewing the file may request a police certificate in order to be fully satisfied that the applicant is not criminally inadmissible as with other program applicants.

Spouses or common-law partners and dependent children:

An open work permit may be issued, under LMIA exemption code R01, to the spouse or common-law partner if the principal application is approved for a work permit under the public policy. Dependent children who have reached the age of majority (that is, 18 years of age and older) are also eligible to apply for an open work permit. Minor children can apply for a study permit under existing study permit streams, or may study without one at the K–12 level, if they are already in Canada and both parents are not visitors.