Canada Closes Hong Kong Permanent Residence
Canada will stop accepting new applications for its Hong Kong permanent residence pathways on August 31, 2026.
Canada will stop accepting new applications for its Hong Kong permanent residence pathways on August 31, 2026. The program, launched in 2021, has already received about 30,315 applications covering 48,560 people, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). A separate open work permit measure for eligible applicants will remain in place until May 2029.
IRCC announced the closure in an August 28, 2026, notice, stating the temporary pathways would not be extended. Applications filed on or before the deadline will continue to be processed. The program was established after Beijing imposed a national security law in Hong Kong.
Some applicants now feel the deadline has left them in a difficult position. A Hong Kong-based immigration agent told the source that the closure has created uncertainty, with some people reportedly exploring options in the United States and Britain instead. The cutoff has rapidly narrowed their choices.
Program Details and Final Numbers
The pathway operated under two streams. Stream A was for eligible recent graduates of Canadian post-secondary institutions. Stream B was for eligible applicants with Canadian work experience.
Late-August 2026 figures from IRCC show the scale of the program's use.
| Metric | Figure |
|---|---|
| Applications received | About 30,315 |
| People covered in applications | About 48,560 |
| Applications approved | About 8,600 |
| People granted permanent residence | About 13,370 |
These numbers represent significant demand for the dedicated route. The final filing window is now closed for new submissions.
Separate Work Permit Measure Continues
The open work permit measure is a separate policy that remains active. It took effect on May 27, -2024, and is scheduled to run until May 2029.
This measure is narrower than the permanent residence pathway. It does not reopen the application window for permanent status. Instead, it allows eligible applicants who have already filed to continue living and working in Canada while their cases are processed. The permit provides a bridge for those already in the system.
For individuals who miss the August 31, 2026, cutoff, the dedicated permanent residence path is no longer an option. The work permit rule does not serve as a replacement. It only assists people already in the pipeline. The permit measure will stay in effect for nearly three more years after the residence pathway closes.
