How Hong Kong Residents Can Apply for Stream B Hong Kong Pathway on the PR Portal
As a result of the Canadian federal government’s “Lifeboat Scheme,” Canada has become a destination for many Hong Kong residents seeking to relocate. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has introduced the Stream B Hong Kong Pathway, providing an opportunity for Hong Kong residents interested in immigration. This article compiles information from IRCC and practical applicant experience to provide a concise guide on applying for the Stream B Hong Kong Pathway using the PR Portal. Save this guide for reference and streamline your preparation process!
Eligibility Criteria for Stream B Hong Kong Pathway
The Canadian federal government announced the expansion of the “Lifeboat Scheme” for Hong Kong residents in July 2023. After removing the requirement for Stream B applicants to complete their studies within five years and other educational requirements, the federal government provided further details on August 15, 2023. The revised Stream B conditions include the removal of educational restrictions, while other criteria remain consistent with the previous terms.
The main applicant must hold one of the following passports:
- Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Passport, or
- British National (Overseas) Passport (BNO)
Other requirements include:
- Being physically present in Canada at the time of submitting the Stream B application and obtaining permanent residency.
- Holding a valid work visa in Canada (including open work permits, working holiday work permits, employer-sponsored work permits, spouse open work permits, etc.).
- Intending to reside in any city or province within Canada (excluding Quebec).
- Legally entering Canada.
- Demonstrating language proficiency in either English or French, with at least a score of 5 in each category of listening, speaking, reading, and writing. Language tests must meet the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) or the Canadian Language Competency Exam (NCLC) standards.
- Accumulating at least 12 months of full-time or 1,560 hours of part-time legal work experience in Canada during the three years prior to applying.
- Self-employed individuals, work conducted outside of Canada, periods of leave (such as medical or maternity leave), extended absences from Canada, and periods of unemployment cannot be counted towards work hours.
- Work does not need to be at a specific skill level but must meet the work definition under Section 2 of Canadian legislation. Additionally, it must align with the work permit definition under Section 186 of the legislation.
Step 1: Gather Required Documents
What documents should applicants prepare?
It’s recommended to use the document checklist [IMM 0134] to assist in collecting the necessary documents for your application. Typically, these include:
- Birth Certificates
- Child Birth Certificates (if applicable)
- Marriage Certificates (if applicable)
- Photos (if possible, take hard copies and electronic versions)
- Police Certificate (For any location where you’ve stayed for more than 6 months since turning 18, you need a police clearance. Hong Kong’s clearance requires waiting for IRCC correspondence but you can get fingerprinted in advance.)
- Proof of Language Proficiency (Equivalent to CLB 5 in English)
- Proof of Medical Exam (Receipt from the medical exam showing the IME number)
- Proof of Physical Presence in Canada (Utility bills, rental agreements, etc.)
- Proof of Work Experience in Canada (Employment letters, contracts, tax forms, payslips, etc.)
- Travel documents and passports (Only need passport with photo and the version with the last entry stamp to Canada, if available)
For non-English or French documents (e.g., birth certificates from mainland China, Taiwan, Macau), you need to provide translations:
- English or French translations of documents, preferably by a certified translator in Canada to ensure accuracy.
- The following translation service is one of the affordable options, it’s advised to call for quotes and compare: jyyang
Step 2: Fill Out Application Forms
After creating an account on the PR Portal, select “Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents.”
Complete the online forms (no need for PDF versions):
- Canadian Visa Application Form (IMM 0008):
——– For current country of residence, if applying inland, fill in Canada and provide your start and end dates for your work or study permit.
——– Hong Kong ID cards have no expiry date, you can enter 3000/01/01 for Expiry Day. - Additional Family Information (IMM 5406) – You need to fill this form for yourself and any family members over 18 years old.
- Schedule A – Background/Declaration (IMM 5669) – You need to fill this form for yourself and any family members over 18 years old. Note that field character limits may require a Letter of Explanation (LOE) to explain certain fields collectively.
- Your Travel Records (IMM 5562)
——– Start by basing this on your passport, but don’t rely solely on it as border officers may forget to stamp.
——– Trips to mainland China and Macau can be excluded.
Fill out the following PDF forms (no need for signatures, just upload them to your online application):
- Document Checklist (IMM 0134)
- Schedule 7B – Permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents: Stream B – Canadian work experience (IMM 0136)
Depending on your situation, you may need to submit:
- Additional Dependant/Declaration Form (IMM 0008DEP).
- Common-Law Partner Declaration (IMM 5409).
- Declaration of Not Accompanying Parent/Guardian for Minor Children Immigrating to Canada (IMM 5604).
Step 3: Pay Required Fees
Use the following table to calculate the required fees:
Certainly! Here’s the table for the application fees:
| Application Type | Fee (CAD) |
|---|---|
| Main Applicant’s Application | $1,085 (excluding permanent residency fee) |
| $570 | |
| Main Applicant and Spouse/Partner | $1,085 (excluding permanent residency fee) |
| $570 | |
| Each Dependant Child | $155 per child |
| (Dependant children are exempt from the permanent residency fee) | |
| Biometrics Fee | $85 per person |
| Biometrics Fee (Family) | $170 for a family of 2 or more applying together at the same time |
To pay the application fees, you’ll need:
- A valid email address
- Credit card, Debit MasterCard®, or Visa® Debit card
- Follow these instructions to make the payment online
Step 4: Submit Your Application
Now that you’re ready to apply, you can submit your application for processing. To ensure a smooth process, make sure to:
- Answer all questions
- Electronically sign your application (input your full name in the same way as on your passport)
- Include payment receipts
- Upload all relevant documents
- You will receive a submission confirmation, so keep it for your records.
This information is compiled based on the Canadian Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website’s explanation of the Hong Kong Pathway Stream B. While efforts have been made to ensure accuracy by referring to various sources, please refer to the official IRCC website for the most up-to-date and accurate information.