Canada’s Immigration Minister an
nounced new immigration measures on Thursday, November 12th, 2020 supporting both Hong Kong residents and Canadians in Hong Kong.
The new programs include offering a new open work permit to Hong Kong graduates and youth. Pathways to permanent residency will also be available to them.
Canada will target Hong Kong graduates as well as those with essential work experience, so they can help in the fight against COVID -19 in Canada.
Canada depends heavily on immigration for economic growth by attracting and retaining the brightest candidates from around the world. This, in turn, would help create jobs for Canadians.
More importantly, these new measures are consistent with Canada’s commitment to support Hong Kong residents after China implemented the national security law in Hong Kong on June 30, 2020.
China’s national security law makes it easier to punish protestors who call for Hong Kong’s secession from China.
Canada is also looking to support Hong Kong nationals who are already in Canada and wish to become permanent residents, by enhancing existing immigration programs.
Canadians and permanent residents living in Hong Kong are able to come to Canada at any time, and if they require any documents to do so, they will be expedited.
In addition, family members of Canadians and permanent residents who are in Hong Kong may also travel to Canada, as per the current exemptions to travel restrictions.