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Breaking: Announcement from Canada’s Minister of Immigration

[中文] OTTAWA, ON (November 12, 2020) – ACHK applauds Minister Mendicino and the Canadian government’s new policies to support immigration from Hong Kong, amidst the rapidly deteriorating situation in the once-free city. In his announcement, Minister Mendicino cited historic Canada-Hong Kong ties and China’s implementation of a draconian National Security Law on Hong Kong.

Minister Mendicino announced the following policies, which ACHK supports and looks forward to seeing swiftly implemented. We also look forward to additional measures to help those fleeing persecution.

For Hong Kongers already in Canada:

  • Waived processing fees for those who want to renew their status or extend their stay
  • A new open work permit, allowing Hong Kongers who have completed post-secondary education (college or university, whether in Canada or Hong Kong) to work in Canada for up to three years
  • A dedicated pathway to permanent residence status to be released in 2021. This pathway will require minimum language skills, minimum education levels, and one year of Canadian work experience.

For Canadians in Hong Kong:

  • Canadians (those with Canadian citizenship or permanent residence status) can return to Canada anytime they like, and the government will expedite providing any documents that they require

For Hong Kongers still in Hong Kong:

  • Allowing family members of Canadians to travel to Canada under exemptions to travel restrictions (still required to quarantine for 14 days upon entry)
  • A new open work permit, allowing Hong Kongers who have completed post-secondary education (college or university, whether in Canada or Hong Kong) to work in Canada for up to three years
  • A dedicated pathway to permanent residence status to be released in 2021. This pathway will require minimum language skills, minimum education levels, and one year of Canadian work experience.
  • Expediting study permit applications (for those who want to study in Canada), permanent residency applications, and family sponsorship applications

Not included in the announcement:

While ACHK applauds this announcement and the new polices, there are no mentions of asylum pathways or support for refugee sponsorship programs. There is also no mention of how Hong Kongers who have already fled Hong Kong can seek asylum or resettlement in Canada. We suspect that these policies cannot be announced publicly.

The Minister announced a temporary exemption to the 12-month bar on a pre-removal risk assessment (PRRA), which protects immigrants and asylum seekers who face serious charges, including those based on the national security law.

Many Hong Kongers are also limited by social-economic means to access the measures announced by the Canadian Government. We look forward to working with the government to expand access for Hong Kongers who may not qualify for Canadian immigration through the aforementioned pathways.

Minister Mendicino’s full announcement is reproduced below.


Canada announces immigration measures supporting Hong Kong residents and Canadians in Hong Kong

November 12, 2020—Ottawa—Immigration is a key driver of Canada’s economic growth, and Canada continues to welcome the best and brightest from around the world, who help create jobs for Canadians. As we focus on accelerating our recovery, Canada will continue to be the world’s top destination for talent, capital, and jobs.

Today, the Honourable Marco E. L. Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announced a new immigration initiative that will attract students and youth from Hong Kong to Canada by offering a new open work permit and broadening their pathways to permanent residency. This initiative builds on the 2021-2023 Annual Immigration Plan and is designed to encourage recent Hong Kong graduates and those with essential work experience to choose Canada as a place to study, work, and settle. This announcement also supports the commitments made by the Government of Canada to support the many connections between Canada and Hong Kong in response to the Chinese government’s imposition and implementation of the National Security Law in Hong Kong on July 30, 2020.

In addition, a number of enhancements to existing immigration programs, and increasing efforts to raise awareness of these options, will support people from Hong Kong who are currently in Canada and want to stay, or want to begin making plans to come to Canada when the COVID-19 travel restrictions are eventually lifted.

The minister also reassured Canadians and Canadian permanent residents in Hong Kong that they can return to Canada at any time, and any documents they require will be expedited. Family members of Canadians and Canadian permanent residents in Hong Kong may also travel to Canada under the current exemptions to travel restrictions, though all travellers to Canada must quarantine for 14 days upon arrival.

New pathways for Hong Kong youth

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. After 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 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.

Additional Measures

Canada is also introducing new measures to expedite documents for Canadians and permanent residents in Hong Kong, 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.

Application processing fees are being waived for Hong Kong residents in Canada on a temporary basis who apply to renew their status to extend their stay.

Minister Mendicino said that Canada continues to support the people of Hong Kong and to stand up for democracy and human rights.


ACHK supports and welcomes Taiwanese, Tibetan, Uyghur, Chinese, and other communities who are suffering from persecution by the Chinese Communist Party. ACHK stands in solidarity with Indigenous and marginalized communities both within Canada and abroad. alliancecanadahk.com | [email protected]