IRCC requires Hong Kong Stream B applicants to show at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work in the three years before application and to have held a Canadian work permit for at least one year within that same period. Update: 2025-12-18.
Soheil Hosseini
December 18, 2025
Jurisdiction
Federal
Week
Week 51
Impact
Moderate
Programs Affected
IRCC requires 1,560 hours of Canadian work and one-year work permit for Hong Kong Stream B permanent residence applicants
Summary: IRCC has amended its program delivery instructions for Hong Kong PR Stream B, now requiring applicants to show both at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work within three years and possession of a Canadian work permit for a minimum of one year within that same period. Update date: 2025-12-18. IRCC has issued a program delivery update for the Permanent Residence Pathways for Hong Kong Residents (Stream B), clarifying the work experience assessment under the public policy. Source: IRCC program delivery update. Date: 2025-12-18. Program affected: Work Permit. Under the revised instructions, a Stream B principal applicant must:
- Have accumulated at least 1,560 hours of authorized Canadian work experience through paid full-time or part-time work at any skill levelwithin the three years before IRCC received the PR application; and
- Have held a Canadian work permit for a minimum of one yearwithin the three years before IRCC received the PR application. IRCC notes these are internal policy, procedures and guidance used by staff and posted publicly as a courtesy to stakeholders. Analysis and potential impacts:
- Positive: The update provides clear, measurable thresholds, confirms eligibility for part-time and any skill level work, and should reduce interpretive uncertainty for applicants and representatives.
- Potential constraints: Requiring a separate one-year work permit within the three-year window may exclude applicants who accrued sufficient hours under shorter permits, experienced status gaps, or transitioned between statuses. Emphasis on “authorized” work underscores the need for proper documentation of status and hours.
- Practical takeaway: Applicants should prepare evidence of both authorized work hours and work permit validity covering at least one year within the look-back period.
Closing: Stakeholders should review the updated IRCC guidance and ensure documentation aligns with the 1,560-hour and one-year work permit requirements when preparing Stream B applications.
Tags: IRCC, Hong Kong, Stream B, Permanent Residence, Canadian Work Experience, Work Permit, Public Policy, Immigration Update, Canada Immigration 2025, Program Delivery Update
Categories
Share This Post
Stay Updated with Immigration News
Get the latest updates on Express Entry draws, OINP invitations, policy changes, and more delivered to your inbox.
We respect your privacy. Unsubscribe at any time.
Related Articles
IRCC OWP-V Guidance
IRCC updated program delivery instructions for Open Work Permits for Vulnerable Workers (R207.1‑A72), clarifying evidence standards, procedural fairness, officer interview guidance, invitations for missing documents, and IME requirements. OWP‑V applications must be filed from within Canada (not at ports of entry or IRCC offices abroad); removal of the 5‑business‑day contact rule and expanded interview/documentation steps aim to standardize decisions but may affect predictability and processing times.
IRCC PAL/TAL Update
IRCC’s 2026 PAL/TAL guidance adds a new exception exempting master’s and doctoral students at public DLIs from the PAL/TAL requirement, consolidates Quebec-specific guidance, updates 2026 validity periods and sample formats, and removes certain ORG ID tracking entries. The update also links to 2026 Ministerial Instructions and strengthens PAL/TAL authenticity checks using provincial/territorial reports.
IRCC Sudan PR Guidelines
IRCC issued guidance under a temporary public policy to facilitate family-based permanent residence for Sudan conflict-affected foreign nationals via the H&C stream. The instructions apply only to applications received on or after Feb. 25, 2025 (guidance posted Jan. 30, 2026).
Co-payments for IFHP
Effective May 1, 2026 IRCC will introduce IFHP co-payments: $4 per eligible prescription and 30% of the cost for other supplemental services (dental, vision, counselling, assistive devices), while core doctor and hospital care remain fully covered. Beneficiaries must pay registered IFHP providers at point of service and should consult the IFHP Provider Search and toolkit for details.