Public policy: Open work permits for recent Hong Kong graduates
As a recent Hong Kong graduate, you may be eligible to apply for an open work permit under a temporary public policy for Hong Kong residents. The public policy expires on February 7, 2025.
The open work permit is valid for up to 3 years.
On this page
Who can apply
To be eligible, you must
- hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas
- Your work permit will be valid for up to 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- For example, if your passport is valid for 6 months, then you will be issued an open work permit for 6 months.
- To maximize the duration of the open work permit, make sure your passport is valid for at least 3 years from the date of approval.
- Tell us how long you want your work permit to be valid.
- Your work permit will be valid for up to 3 years or until your passport expires, whichever comes first.
- meet the education requirements for post-secondary, graduate or post-graduate studies (see below for details)
Education requirements for post-secondary studies effective February 8, 2023
You must have graduated no more than 10 years before you apply for this open work permit, with one of the following:
- a degree (for example, associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) from a designated post-secondary learning institution in Canada or an institution abroad
- a diploma from a program of at least 2 years from a designated post-secondary learning institution in Canada or an institution abroad
- a graduate or post-graduate credential
- from a program of at least 1 year
- that required the completion of a post-secondary degree or diploma, as a prerequisite for acceptance into the program
- you must have received the post-secondary degree or diploma no more than 5 years before you started the graduate/post-graduate program
- from one of the following:
- a designated learning institution in Canada
- an institution abroad
If you’ve already applied
If you’ve already applied but you haven’t received a decision, your application will be processed under this change but you must have graduated within 10 years of the date you submitted your work permit application to be eligible.
If you got your education abroad
You don’t need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to apply if you got a degree (for example, associate, bachelor’s, master’s or doctoral) outside Canada, but an officer may request one later.
If you got a post-secondary, graduate or post-graduate diploma outside Canada, you must provide an ECA.
The ECA must be from an organization or a professional body designated by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada. They’ll give you a report that tells you what your education is equal to in Canada.
Processing times and costs for the ECA vary by the organization or professional body.
Once you choose a designated organization or a professional body, they’ll tell you how to submit your documents to get your ECA.
Designated organizations
You must use one of these designated organizations:
- Comparative Education Service – University of Toronto School of Continuing Studies
- designated: April 17, 2013
- International Credential Assessment Service of Canada
- designated: April 17, 2013
- World Education Services
- designated: April 17, 2013
- International Qualifications Assessment Service
- designated: August 6, 2015
- International Credential Evaluation Service
- designated: August 6, 2015
How to apply
You must apply for the open work permit online, unless you’re exempt. You can’t apply at a port of entry.
Who can apply on paper
If you’re outside Canada
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you need
Step 2: Pay your fees
You’re exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee (CAN$100). Don’t pay this fee.
You must pay the
- work permit processing fee (CAN$155)
- biometric fee, if you need to give biometrics
Because you’re exempt from paying the open work permit holder fee, you need to pay your fees before you apply online.
- Go to fees for temporary residence applications.
- Scroll down to the row for workers.
- Select Work permit (including extensions) – per person.
- Enter the number of applications you’re paying for.
- If you’re applying for just your own work permit, enter “1.”
- Find out if you need to give biometrics.
- If you need to give biometrics, scroll down to the row for biometrics.
- Enter the number of applications you’re paying for.
- If you’re applying for just yourself, enter “1.”
- If you’re applying for 2 or more people, choose Biometrics – per family and enter “1.”
- Enter the number of applications you’re paying for.
The system will calculate the total amount you need to pay when you click Submit.
Keep your receipt
After you pay your fee, keep a copy of the receipt. You’ll need to upload it when you apply online for your work permit.
Step 3: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- submit your application forms
- check your status
How to start your application
Once you sign in to your account, you need to
- go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page
- click Apply to come to Canada
- on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section
- click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button
- on the next page, select Work
Get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
Make sure you answer these questions correctly
- You would like to work temporarily—more than 6 months
- Answer “Yes” to the question Will you be coming to Canada under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC?
- Select “A work permit under an active public policy or special measure announced by IRCC” as the type of work permit you want to apply for.
- Answer “Yes” to the question Have you visited or lived in any one of the designated countries for 6 consecutive months in the last year? if one of the following applies:
- You’re a resident of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
- You’ve lived in any other designated country or territory for 6 months in the last year.
- Answer “No, I am exempt from paying fees for this application” to the question There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee-exempt?
- You are exempt from paying only the open work permit holder fee. See Step 2: Pay your fees.
Read the instruction guide and complete the application
You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. Once you get your document checklist, fill out the application form and supporting documents. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Special instructions for this public policy
When you fill out the work permit application form:
- Select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit you’re applying for in the Details of Intended work in Canada section.
- Enter “HKPPTR” as the Job title.
- Enter “Hong Kong public policy – open work permit” in the Brief description of duties field.
- For Duration of expected employment, we need to know the start and end date for your work permit.
- Enter the date you expect to enter Canada as the Start date.
- You can ask for an End date that’s up to 3 years from the start date.
- You can’t ask for a date beyond the expiry date of your passport.
Upload the correct documents
Your documents must show that you’re eligible for the public policy. You must upload the completed application form and include the following documents with your application.
| Required document | Where to upload the file in your account |
|---|---|
| Copy of fees receipt | Proof of fee exemption |
| Copy of education credential, transcripts or proof of enrolment at a post-secondary educational institution | Proof that you Meet the Requirements of the Job Being Offered |
| Copy of your Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National Overseas passport (all pages must be included) | Passport |
| A copy of your work history | CV/résumé |
| Digital photo | Digital photo |
| Family Information Form (IMM 5707) | Family Information Form (IMM 5707) |
Depending on your situation, you may also need to
- give biometrics
- get a medical exam
- Residents of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region must get a medical exam.
- get a police certificate
- If we ask you for a police certificate, there are special instructions to get one in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region.
Upload a sheet of paper with the words “Not applicable” if you’re asked for the following documents:
- employment reference letter
- letter from current employer
- employment records
- employment contract
If you’re in Canada
To be eligible, one of the following must apply:
- you have valid status as a visitor, student or worker
- you applied to extend your status before it expired (“maintained status”)
- you’re eligible to restore your status
- you already have an open work permit issued under the previous Hong Kong public policy (2021)
If you need to restore your status
When you apply under this public policy in Canada, you’re exempt from paying the
- work permit processing fee (CAN$155)
- open work permit holder fee (CAN$100)
However, if you’ve lost your status, you need to
- restore your previous status
- pay the restoration fee (CAN$200)
How to pay your restoration fee
You need to pay your restoration fee before you apply online:
- Go to Pay your application fees online (make an additional payment or pay other fees).
- Go to the row to pay a Custom amount.
- In the quantity column, enter “200.”
Keep your receipt
After you pay your restoration fee, keep a copy of the receipt. You’ll need to upload it when you apply online for your work permit.
Step 1: Make sure you have what you need
To apply online, you need
Step 2: Create your online account or sign in
You need an account to apply online. You can use your account to
- submit your application forms
- check your status
How to start your application
Once you sign in to your account, you need to
- go to the Start your application section on the account welcome page
- click Apply to come to Canada
- on the next page, scroll down to the I do not have a personal reference code section
- click on the Visitor visa, study and/or work permit button
- on the next page, select Work
Get your document checklist
You must answer some questions to create a personalized document checklist.
Make sure you answer these questions correctly
- You would like to work temporarily—for more than 6 months.
- Workers and students must select “Worker” when asked What is your current immigration status in Canada?
- For students, this is a temporary measure while we update the application system.
-
Answer “yes” when asked:
Does one of the following apply to you?
- I am subject of a removal order that is unenforceable
- I applied for a study or work permit before entering Canada that was approved, but not issued at a port of entry
- I am in primary or secondary school, or a visiting or exchange student, in Canada with visitor status
- I am applying for an open work permit under an active public policy or pilot program announced by IRCC
- I am a student who has completed a program of study that is a prerequisite to my enrolment at a designated learning institution with visitor status in Canada
- I applied for permanent residence and was found eligible (first stage approval) under one of the following classes:
- Spouse or Common-law Partner in Canada
- Humanitarian and Compassionate cases
- Protected Persons in Canada
- Live-in Caregiver in Canada
- Answer “Yes, I will be paying my fees.” to the question: There are fees associated with this application. Will you be paying your fees or are you fee exempt?
Read the instruction guide and complete the application
Once you get your document checklist, complete the application forms. You should read the instruction guide before you complete your application. The guide will explain how to complete each field on the form.
Special instructions for this public policy
When you fill out the work permit application form:
- Select “Open Work Permit” as the type of work permit you’re applying for in the Details of Intended work in Canada section.
- Enter “HKPPTR” as the Job title.
- Enter “Hong Kong public policy—open work permit” in the Brief description of duties field.
- For Duration of expected employment, we need to know how long you’d like your permit to be valid.
- Enter the date you’d like to start working as the Start date.
- It may not be possible to finalize your application by the start date you ask for.
- You can ask for an End date that’s up to 3 years from the start date.
- If we don’t finalize your application by your requested start date, we’ll update the end date of your work permit in line with your new start date.
- You can’t ask for an end date beyond the expiry date of your passport.
- Enter the date you’d like to start working as the Start date.
Upload the correct documents
You need to include the following documents with your application:
| Required document | Where to upload the file in your account |
|---|---|
| Copy of education credential, transcripts or proof of enrolment at a post-secondary educational institution | Client Information |
| Copy of your Hong Kong Special Administrative Region or British National Overseas passport (all pages must be included) | Passport |
| Digital photo | Digital photo |
| Family Information Form (IMM 5707) | Family Information Form (IMM 5707) |
Depending on your situation, you may also need to
- get a medical exam
- provide other documents
After you apply
Find out what to do and what happens after you apply for your work permit.
If you plan to apply for permanent residence
There is a Canadian work experience stream under the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents. You can use the work experience you gain with this open work permit or any other work permit to meet the hours of work requirement for this pathway.
Open work permit for Hong Kong permanent residence applicants
Starting May 27, 2024, you’ll be able to apply for an open work permit, while you wait for your permanent residence application to be processed, if you meet both of the following requirements:
- You applied for permanent residence under 1 of the 2 permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents
- You held a work or study permit within 3 years of us receiving your permanent residence application.
If you’re outside Canada when your work permit application is approved
We’ll issue you a letter of introduction with a deadline to enter Canada. If you delay your travel to Canada, you might not be able to get the work experience you need before the permanent residence pathways for Hong Kong residents close on August 31, 2026.
If you’ve already applied for permanent residence and your open work permit will expire soon
You may be eligible for a new open work permit for up to 3 years if
- you’re waiting for your permanent resident application for Hong Kong residents to be processed
- your open work permit will expire soon
Page details
- Date modified: