The Canadian Lifeboat Program (New Pathway to Permanent Residency for Hong Kong Residents)) has seen a great number of applications, with the number of applicants for Canadian student permit in the first quarter of this year increasing by 2.5 times compared to the same period last year.

The program has low threshold in personal and financial eligibility, thereby more appealing to Hong Kong residents compared to other Canadian immigration streams. The last round of the program  will end on February 7, 2023. Immigration Canada will launch a new round of the lifeboat programs on June 8, allowing more Hong Kong residents to immigrate to Canada through this low-threshold channel. No Canadian job offers and the subsequent LMIA is needed to apply as long as the applicants have accumulated sufficient studying and working experience in Canada. Compared to the BNO 5+1 program, the processing time is significantly less, making Canada the more preferable destination for Hong Kong residents. 

The following is a detailed analysis of the application process under the new pathway program:

Eligibility to apply:

Stream A: In-Canada graduates

• hold a valid passport issued by one of the following:
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
  • United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
• be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you get permanent residence
• have valid temporary resident status in Canada
• intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec
• have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
  • in the 3 years before you apply
  • with one of the following:
    • a diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years
    • a degree (associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral)
    • a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year and
  • with at least 50% of your program completed in Canada (either in person or online)

If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate

You must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree (from Canada or from abroad), as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program.

You must have competed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program.

Stream B: Canadian Work Experience

• hold a valid passport issued by one of the following:
  • Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China
  • United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong
• be physically present in Canada when you apply and when you get permanent residence
• have valid temporary resident status in Canada
• intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec
• have graduated in the 5 years before you apply with one of the following:
  • a diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years, or a degree (for example, an associate degree, a bachelor’s degree, a master’s degree or a doctorate) from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
  • a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada
  • a foreign educational credential equivalent to one of the following:
    • a Canadian post-secondary diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least 2 years
    • a Canadian post-secondary degree
    • a Canadian graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least 1 year
• have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full time, or an equal amount of part-time hours in the 3 years before you apply.

If you have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate

You must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree (from Canada or from abroad), as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program.

You must have completed this prerequisite diploma or degree in the 5 years before you started your graduate or post-graduate program.

How to meet the hours of work requirement

To be eligible for this stream, you must have worked in Canada for at least 12 months full-time, or an equal amount of part-time hours (at least 1,560 hours in total) in the 3 years before you apply.

You must have been allowed to work legally in Canada for these hours to count. This means you either had a valid work permit, or you were exempt from needing a work permit.

You can’t include any hours of work that you spent

• as a full-time student
• self-employed
• working outside Canada
• on leave from your job (medical, parental or similar)
• on an extended absence outside Canada
• unemployed

Advantages of the “Lifeboat” pathway program

• Financially affordable
• Relatively low threshold
• No job offer or work permit required via Stream A
• 50% of the program can be finished in Hong Kong
• No Hidden cost
• Faster processing time (Compared to BNO5+1)
• Privilege of having spouse and dependent children together in Canada
• Spouse open work permit
• Free public education for dependent children
• Free access to medical care
• Tuition tax exemption as per the bilateral agreement between Hong Kong and Canada

Tianen immigration Group: the immigration specialists you can trust

Immigration Specialists at Tian’En provide you with complete and                                                 exclusive immigration service:

• In-depth Consultation
• Individualized immigration planning
• Straightforward, transparent service fee, with no hidden charges
• Facilitate programs that demonstrate promising career prospects
• Flexible training sessions
• Complete document preparation
• Application for study permit / work permit and all relevant consultation
• Landing settlement service
• Facilitating job opportunities for newly graduates

FAQ

Is there free access to pubic education for accompanying dependent children

Yes, dependent children whose parents are eligible study permit or work permit holders have access to public primary and secondary education.

Regarding Canada’s global tax rate, how much tax I have to pay as a Canadian PR working in Hong Kong?

If you plan to return to Hong Kong to work, Canada is the best choice, because Canadian immigration is faster and you don’t have to wait 5+1 years. Canada and Hong Kong signed a bilateral agreement to prevent double taxation. Therefore, although Canada levies taxes on the global income of its residents, the existence of bilateral agreements means that in some cases, people who reside in Canada and Hong Kong can be exempted from paying taxes to one of the governments.

Is there an age limit to the program? 

There is no age limit on the lifeboat program. However, age is one factor in the CRS that decides your overall scoring in Express Entry system. Your language ability and work experience can well compensate on that in some degree.

 Is there language requirement for the program?

 Yes. CLB 5 = IELTS General 5 ( L/S/W 5   R 5)

                    = CELPIP 5 in all four aspects

 For post-graduate programs, does the previous bachelor degree have to be obtained in the recent 5 years?

Yes. If you have are graduating soon from a two-year program, the better option is to apply for PGWP and apply for PR after accumulating 1 year of Canadian work experience.

What is the success rate of study permit for applicants over 40s?

Older study permit applicants tend to face a higher rejection rate for Canadian study permit. It is therefore highly recommended you seek help from an experienced immigration specialist. At Tianen, we have a great number of success cases of older study permit applicants, with success cases on applicants over 50 years old. 

If I am currently studying in Hong Kong for my second year, is there a cheaper way to immigrate to Canada?

Yes. You can apply for Canadian universities right now transferring all the credits completed in Hong Kong to the Canadian institution where you will save as many as 2 years to complete your degree in Canada. If you choose to study in smaller cities, the tuition and living expense will be significantly lower as well.