Canada is the world’s top destination for talents and is planning to continue to welcome the brightest minds.
On November 12th, Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new immigration initiative targeting students and youth from Hong Kong. The new program will offer an open work permit and explore candidate’s pathways to permanent residency in Canada.
Such initiatives are necessary to support future Immigration Levels Plans and attract Hong Kong graduates and skilled workers to choose Canada as a place to study, work, and settle.
In addition, the Government of Canada is planning a number of enhancements to existing immigration programs that will support people from Hong Kong who are currently in Canada and want to stay. Also for applicants, who are making plans to come to Canada when the COVID-19 travel restrictions will be lifted.
New pathways for Hong Kong youth will allow eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada or abroad with recently completed post-secondary studies to apply for an open work permit, with maximum validity of 3 years. This will give an opportunity to Hong Kong young residents to gain valuable experience in Canada. When enough experience is accumulated there will be a new to permanent residence for eligible candidates. The new program and eligibility criteria will be available in 2021.
The government is also planning to expedite processing of study permit applications for those who want to study in Canada. In 2020 an increase in applications for study permits from Hong Kong residents was observed and Canada wants to enhance this path.
In addition,Canada is planning to speed up processing of permanent residence applications, including family sponsorship, which will benefit Hong Kong residents.
Minister Mendicino hopes that this measures and initiative will attract Hong Kong youths.
He also stated that ‘Canada continues to support the people of Hong Kong and to stand up for democracy and human rights’.
This is an excellent initiative and proof of Canadian solidarity.
Quotes
The people-to-people ties between Canada and Hong Kong are strong and deep, and these new measures celebrate those long-standing relationships. Newcomers from Hong Kong, including students, have made outstanding contributions to Canada, and the changes we’re announcing today will strengthen our relationship with the people of Hong Kong and bring us closer together.
—The Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, P.C., M.P., Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship
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