Canada: 3 Year Work Permit + PR pathway for Hong Kongers...

[shri]

Seen in the news...

The federal government is creating new immigration arrangements to help Hong Kongers stay in Canada and a work visa to encourage students and young people to settle here in the face of China’s unprecedented crackdown on civil liberties in the former British colony.

This includes a three-year open work permit for recent Hong Kong graduates or those with a history of work experience in areas Canada might value, as well as a new pathway to permanent-resident status for those who end up coming here.

Citing the national-security law that China imposed on Hong Kong this past summer, Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino said Thursday that Ottawa will make it easier for 300,000 Canadian citizens and permanent residents living in the Asian financial hub to return to Canada at any time.

https://www.theglobeandmail.com/poli...ake-of-chinas/

[shri]

Official Press Release - since the above article seems to be paywalled.

Recognizing the talent and skills many Hong Kong students and graduates can bring to Canada’s economy and workforce, Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada is announcing a new initiative to allow eligible Hong Kong residents in Canada or abroad with recently completed post-secondary studies to apply for an open work permit, which may be valid for up to 3 years.

Obtaining an open work permit will allow Hong Kong residents, particularly young people, to come to or stay in Canada and gain valuable employment experience. To follow this experience, a new pathway to permanent resident status for in-Canada Hong Kong residents who meet specific eligibility criteria is being created. This new pathway will be available in 2021, and criteria will include minimum language and education levels and 1 year of work experience in Canada.

The government will also expedite study permit applications for those who want to study in Canada. There has already been an increase in applications for study permits from Hong Kong residents in 2020, and Canada will continue to promote this opportunity. Minister Mendicino announced that, once their studies are completed, these students will have a new dedicated pathway to permanent residence.

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration...hong-kong.html

[Coolboy]

This might be more appealing the BNO scheme of the UK I suspect. There is larger preexisting HK population in Canada already compared to the UK. The long cold and brutal winters in Canada though probablys needs some adjusting to for HKers.

[gardabble]

use the nationalpost link since globeandamail article is behind a paywall.
https://nationalpost.com/news/politi...na-clamps-down

[ArrynField]

Survey on most popular destinations

https://daliaresearch.com/blog/poll-...oving-choices/

[Tandy]

Do we count as Hong Kongers? Asking for a friend who'd love a fast track Canada PR...

[mrgoodkat]

Do we count as Hong Kongers? Asking for a friend who'd love a fast track Canada PR...

No, the guidelines define Hong Kong residents as holding HKSAR or BNO passport.

Hong Kong “residents” are presented in these instructions as defined under paragraphs 190(2)(d) and (e) of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations (IRPR) as foreign nationals who hold a passport issued by

the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) of the People’s Republic of China, or
the United Kingdom to a British National Overseas (BNO), as a person born, naturalized or registered in Hong Kong.

But there is a separate policy to give priority to processing PR applications received in Hong Kong. If you are HKPR with foreign citizenship you won't qualify under the new scheme, but if you qualify for Express Entry or family sponsorship you will have your application processed faster.

[Tandy]

Too bad. Exit strategy is hard when the US (home country) is so unappealing

[gardabble]

If you are thinking about living in Canada, here are stuff you need to know.

Benefits living in Canada:
1. Political Freedom
2. Clean environment no pollution
3. Health care is free, has other govt benefits like old age pension, welfare and other govt assistance.
4 Second largest country in the world. Lots of places to explore from East to West.
5. Close to the USA.
6. Friendly people.

Bad things living in Canada
1. Its cold except for Lower Mainland BC
2. High Taxes, unless you are really good and finding tax shelters
3. Job market is very competitive and tight. You see allot of degree holders working in service sector jobs like restaurants and taxis.
4. Your foreign credentials are not recognized in Canada forces you to waste time to retake same tests to get Canadian credentials.

[Elegiaque]

Too bad. Exit strategy is hard when the US (home country) is so unappealing

Bit funny because I thought you supported those unappealing aspects... and by unappealing aspects I mean like gun control and health care that Canadians embrace.