{"id":128820,"date":"2023-10-23T12:53:50","date_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:53:50","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/immigration-from-hong-kong-spikes-as-ircc-eases-restrictions\/"},"modified":"2023-10-23T12:57:17","modified_gmt":"2023-10-23T16:57:17","slug":"immigration-from-hong-kong-spikes-as-ircc-eases-restrictions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/immigration-from-hong-kong-spikes-as-ircc-eases-restrictions\/","title":{"rendered":"Immigration From Hong Kong Spikes As IRCC Eases Restrictions"},"content":{"rendered":"<p class=\"p1\">Hong\u00a0Kongers are applying to come to Canada in record numbers ever since Ottawa axed the educational requirements of the Canadian work experience stream of the permanent residence pathway designed just for them, reports the <i>South China Morning Post<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) removed the educational requirements on Aug. 15.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Since then, Hong Kong applications under the special permanent residency scheme have jumped by 70 per cent to 805 in August compared to 473 in July, reports the Hong Kong-based daily newspaper.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cIn recognizing the extraordinary skills and potential of Hong Kong\u2019s talented individuals, Canada has taken a significant step toward fostering inclusivity and embracing the spirit of opportunity,\u201d said then-Immigration Minister Sean Fraser earlier this year.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cRemoving the education requirement under Stream B is a win-win situation: it means that we can welcome more Hong Kongers to Canada who need our support, while simultaneously helping Canadian businesses fill labour gaps with workers who already have work experience here.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Read More<\/b><\/p>\n<p class=\"p2\"><span class=\"s1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/alberta-express-entry-draw-targets-agriculture-sector\/\">Alberta Express Entry Draw Targets Agriculture Sector<\/a><\/span><span class=\"s2\"><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/british-columbia-pnp-draw-province-issues-at-least-187-canada-immigration-invitations\/\"><span class=\"s3\">British Columbia PNP Draw: Province Issues At Least 187 Canada Immigration Invitations<\/span><\/a><br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/investigation-into-abuses-of-temporary-foreign-workers-sees-93-employers-fined-total-of-1-54m\/\"><span class=\"s3\">Investigation Into Abuses Of Temporary Foreign Workers Sees 93 Employers Fined Total Of $1.54m<\/span><\/a><\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\">In the wake of the crackdown on pro-democracy protesters in\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0by the Chinese government, Canada created two new pathways to permanent residence on June 1, 2021.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Those two pathways include a Stream A, for in-Canada graduates, and a Stream B for individuals with Canadian work experience.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cOur government recognizes that true talent and valuable expertise are not solely defined by formal education credentials,\u201d said Paul Chiang, the parliamentary secretary to Canada\u2019s minister of housing and diversity and inclusion.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cBy removing the education requirement under the Work Experience Stream B for the\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0permanent residence pathway, we are ensuring that qualifications do not become a barrier to those who possess valuable experience and expertise. This change sends a powerful message of welcome and encouragement, reinforcing our commitment to building a diverse and prosperous nation.\u201d<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\"><b>Video<\/b><\/p>\n<p><iframe title=\"YouTube video player\" src=\"https:\/\/bit.ly\/3Q6j9zy\" width=\"560\" height=\"315\" frameborder=\"0\" allowfullscreen=\"allowfullscreen\"><\/iframe><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<p class=\"p1\">In 2021, there were 4,290 Hongkongers who applied for permanent residency through the special work-to-emigrate route and almost 2,000 of them have since been approved, reports the <i>South China Morning Post<\/i>.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The IRCC\u2019s decision to drop the educational requirements allowed 29-year-old Connie Chan to apply in August despite it having been more than five years since she had graduated. She had been lobbying Ottawa for years through a group she created to have the educational requirement amended to allow older graduates to apply.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">She thinks about 300 of the applications in August came from members of her group and she expects the number of applications will continue to climb as more Hong Kongers realize they meet the new requirements.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Removing Educational Requirements Is Boosting Canadian Diversity, Says Miao<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">In the Greater Vancouver community of Richmond, known for its high concentration of\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0immigrants, Richmond Centre MP Wilson Miao predicted earlier this year that the loosening of the requirements of the Stream B pathway would grow Canada\u2019s social diversity.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cThis will drive economic growth and foster cultural diversity,\u201d said Miao. \u201cTogether,\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0and Canada, are fueling our economy, creating new opportunities, and a hope for strengthened bonds.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Those words have since proven to be prophetic as Hong Kong immigration has spiked.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Ottawa\u2019s latest measure to help\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kongers jives with its Indo-Pacific Strategy, a plan to deepen Canadian engagement in the Indo-Pacific over the next decade.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">The latest move also comes on the heels of other measures taken by Ottawa to encourage immigration from\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">In early February two years ago, Canada\u2019s immigration department launched a new\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/open-work-permit-in-canada\/\"><span class=\"s3\">open work permit<\/span><\/a>\u00a0to allow eligible\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0residents to gain valuable work experience in Canada and apply for permanent residence more quickly.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">This year, that measure was extended and expanded, giving\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0residents until Feb. 7, 2025 to apply.<\/p>\n<p>\u201cCanada needs more people for economic reasons \u2026 and for demographic reasons,\u201d said Fraser. \u201cThe reality is that we cannot meet the needs for the market with the existing labour force.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">To be granted permanent residence, applicants must intend to live in any Canadian province or territory other than Quebec.\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0residents who are living in Quebec are advised to consult the Minist\u00e8re de l\u2019Immigration, de la Francisation et de l\u2019Int\u00e9gration (MIFI) to learn more about immigration pathways available to them in that province.<\/p>\n<h3 class=\"p1\">Open Work Permits For Hong Kongers Gives Canadian Employers Access To A Skilled Workforce<\/h3>\n<p class=\"p1\">With the extension of the open work permit program earlier this year, the immigration minister said Canada was both showing its support for the people of\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0and helping itself to a skilled workforce.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cBy extending and expanding Canada\u2019s open work permits for\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kongers, we are giving Canadian employers more skilled workers to hire at a time when we need them most and providing valuable work experience, all while also showing our support for the people of\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong,\u201d said Fraser.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">That policy allows spouses or common-law partners and dependent children to also apply for a\u00a0<a href=\"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/study-in-canada-step-by-step-guide-for-international-students\/\"><span class=\"s3\">study permit<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or work permit.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Dr. Anna Victoria Wong, executive director of Community Family Services of Ontario, called the extension of the program a win for Canadian employers looking for skilled workers.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cAs a social service agency, we understand intimately the needs of incoming and growing populations,\u201d said Wong. \u201cAs a publicly funded provider, we are mindful of the challenges in our local economic and employment sectors.<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">\u201cWe strive to capitalize on the efficient use of resources to align needs from both sides to create a win-win situation for newcomers and for Canada. This policy update serves just that and imports talents that are ready, willing, and able to contribute to the Canadian economy and are supportive of the core values within our charter.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"p1\">Candidates hoping to apply for the In-Canada Graduates stream, Stream A, must:<\/p>\n<ul class=\"ul1\">\n<li class=\"li1\">hold a valid passport issued by the\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong\u00a0Special Administrative Region of the People\u2019s Republic of China or the United Kingdom to a British National (Overseas) as a person born, naturalized or registered in\u00a0Hong\u00a0Kong;<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">be physically present in Canada when they apply and get permanent residence;<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">have valid temporary resident status in Canada;<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">intend to live in Canada, in any province or territory other than the province of Quebec;<\/li>\n<li class=\"li1\">have graduated from a post-secondary designated learning institution in Canada in the three years prior to their application with either a diploma (not graduate or post-graduate) for a program of at least two years, a degree (associate, bachelor\u2019s, master\u2019s or doctoral), or a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate for a program of at least one year and with at least 50 per cent of the program completed in Canada (either in person or online).<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p class=\"p1\">Those who have a graduate or post-graduate diploma or certificate must also have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree as a prerequisite to this graduate or post-graduate program within five years prior to the start of their graduate or post-graduate program.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Hong\u00a0Kongers are applying to come to Canada in record numbers ever since Ottawa axed the educational requirements of the Canadian work experience stream of the permanent residence pathway designed just for them, reports the South China Morning Post. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) removed the educational requirements on Aug. 15. Since then, Hong Kong&hellip;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":498,"featured_media":128815,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[3415,4859],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-128820","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-immigration-au-canada","category-lactualite-canadienne","category-3415","category-4859","description-off"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128820","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/498"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=128820"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/128820\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/128815"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=128820"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=128820"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/immigration.ca\/fr\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=128820"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}