Canada Introduces New Measures to Help Hong Kong Residents to Come to Canada

Despite the disorder COVID19 has caused to the global community, Canada still keeps on encouraging immigrants to come to Canada on work and study permits. It believes that immigration adds to Canada’s economic growth. Despite the global restriction on travel and immigration, the country keeps showing its commitment to the 2020-2022 Immigration Levels Plan, which outlines Canada’s plan to welcome an additional 351,000 in 2021 and 361,000 immigrants in 2022.

The minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has introduced some new measures to encourage the Hong Kong residents (especially students and youth) to come to Canada by creating new pathways to opening work and study permits.

The minister has also assured Canadian residents in Hong Kong to speed up the documentation process if they want to come back to Canada, though they must follow the rules related to quarantine upon arrival.

The measures are drafted in line with its commitment to the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan and aims at attracting Hong Kong graduates. The new initiatives do also reflect Canada’s response to the China’s forceful imposition of the National Security Law in Hong Kong.

New Temporary and Permanent Pathways for Hong Kong Youth

Recognizing the Hong Kong students’ ability and skills, Canada believes that the Hong Kong youths will add to the economy and workforce. The Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship has outlined the following measures to encourage Hong Kong immigrants to come to Canada:

• The government will speed up the documentation process for the eligible Hong Kong immigrants who want to come to the country either to work or to study.
• In addition to the present permits for work and study for Hong Kong immigrants, the Canadian government has introduced a new open work permit for the eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada or abroad for up to 3 years. Those who have completed post-secondary studies can apply for the open work permit under the new initiatives.
• Two new initiatives for permanent residency have been introduced for those who come to Canada either to study or to work. These initiatives are to be applicable from 2021:
  • The first initiative is drafted to cover those who have a minimum of one year of work experience in Canada and also fulfill other minimum requirements.
  • The second initiative is formulated to target those Hong Kong immigrants who have completed post-secondary studies. They are eligible to apply for the permit of permanent residency

Both of these measures allow the applicants to include their dependent children and in-Canada spouse in their application form.

Additional Measures:

• The Canadian government has decided to waive off the application charges fees for Hong Kong residents in Canada temporarily.
• IRCC is opening up new job opportunities to allure the Hong Kong youth to pursue their careers in different areas.
• IRCC is also planning to restart the process of International Experience Canada applications for Hong Kong youth.
• The government is planning to promote youth-centered programs to help the Hong Kong youth to obtain permanent residency.
• IRCC is also planning to expedite the promotion of super visas that provide permission to parents and grandparents to come to Canada many times for up to 2 years at a time for up to 10 years.