3 years ago
Canada will allow Hong Kongers who make asylum claims to go ahead even if they are charged under a new national security law imposed by Beijing, making it simpler for residents of the Chinese territory to emigrate.
This was part of a slew of measures announced a day after Canada criticised China’s decision to remove four elected pro-democracy lawmakers from the Hong Kong legislature.
“No one will be disqualified from making a legitimate asylum claim in Canada by sole virtue of having been charged under the new national security law,” Marco Mendicino, minister of immigration, refugees and citizenship, told reporters.
Canada will now allow residents of Hong Kong who have recently completed post-secondary studies to apply for an open work permit for up to three years.
It has also created a new pathway to permanent residency for Hong Kongers who are in Canada and meet specific eligibility criteria like minimum language and education levels and a year of work experience in the country. This opportunity will come into effect next year.
Another pathway will expedite study permits to residents of Hong Kong, and offer a “dedicated” route to permanent residency to those who complete their studies.
The Canadian government is also expediting issuance of required documents to Canadians and Canadian permanent residents in Hong Kong, and to “speed up processing of permanent residence applications, including family sponsorship, which will benefit Hong Kong residents, and to encourage Hong Kong youth to study or work in Canada,” according to a release from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
