Permanent residency delays for Hongkongers, says IRCC

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) has released updated data on its official website on Wednesday, indicating a significant delay in the processing of permanent residency (PR) applications through Hong Kong Pathways. 

According to the latest figures, most applicants may not see their cases resolved until after 2027.

According to official statistics as of October 31, 2024, IRCC has received over 26,500 applications from Hong Kong residents seeking permanent residency in Canada. Of these, more than 10,500 have been approved, while fewer than 200 have been rejected. 

Meanwhile, as of October 31, 2024, 80 percent of PR applications can be approved within 12 months.

However, IRCC admits that due to the large number of applicants, combined with a reduction in immigration quotas over the next two years, most Hong Kong permanent resident applications will not be processed until after 2027.