Roy (pseudonym) came to Canada in 2022 as an international student, planning to apply for permanent residency under the Stream A pathway. He submitted his application in May 2024, hoping to secure permanent residency and continue his studies. Unfortunately, after submitting his application, Roy began to face a series of severe challenges.
Roy has Type 1 diabetes, a congenital condition that requires him to inject insulin four times a day. After graduating, due to his health condition, he was unable to find employment. As a result, his student health insurance expired on August 31, 2024. Without access to Ontario’s public healthcare system and unable to afford private medication, Roy’s physical and mental health began to deteriorate.
“Insulin is essential for the survival of people with Type 1 diabetes. Without student insurance and without access to OHIP, I felt overwhelmed with fear and despair about whether I could even stay alive.” — Roy
In a bid to save himself, Roy contacted Member of Parliament Mary Ng in December 2024, requesting help to expedite his application. However, in January 2025, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) declined to accelerate his case. This response struck Roy as a devastating blow.
“Although the MP’s office was willing to help, IRCC’s responses were consistently vague and slow. I never imagined such an outcome. It only deepened my anxiety about the future and worsened my mental health.”
Amid ongoing physical and emotional strain, Roy was diagnosed on May 9, 2025—his 20th birthday—with Adjustment Disorder with Anxiety and Dissociative Disorder. These conditions were directly linked to the stress of his prolonged immigration process, pushing him into thoughts of suicide.
“When permanent residency feels so far away, I can’t plan for my life at all. I don’t know if I made the wrong decision coming here, and I feel I can’t take responsibility for the path I chose. I don’t even know why I’m still holding on…”
Thankfully, in April 2025, Roy came across the Hong Kong Pathway Backlog Action Group (HKPBAG) and contacted its organizer, Donald. A meeting was soon arranged with Member of Parliament Garnett Genuis, who has since taken on Roy’s case and is now urging IRCC to expedite the processing of his application.
However, Roy’s story is just the tip of the iceberg. There are still over 18,000 pending applications under the Hong Kong Pathway, and IRCC has recently announced that the processing time could take up to 24 months. This situation has placed thousands of Hongkongers in limbo—facing job insecurity, lack of healthcare, extreme stress, and even suicidal thoughts.
Therefore, HKPBAG urge all Hongkongers currently waiting under this program to stand together, join our petition efforts, and attend the MP meeting together. Let them know the urgency of the situation—demand faster processing, clearer timelines. Roy’s story is a painful reminder that behind every delayed file is a real person whose life is on hold. We cannot remain silent.