Canada’s new immigration scheme for Hong Kong may lead to exodus of young from city, experts say
- Country on Thursday unveiled new rules to make it easier for young Hongkongers to study and work there, and eventually apply for permanent residency
- Local immigration agency boss Benny Cheung says firm has received several inquiries about latest Canadian scheme for educated youth
Canada’s latest immigration scheme for Hong Kong may spark an exodus of talent from the city as heightened local political tensions push educated young people to seek opportunities elsewhere, according to experts.
“[The] announcement is set against the backdrop of a number of developments which have been gravely concerning to Canada,” the country’s immigration minister Marco Mendicino said on Thursday, citing the move by Beijing to disqualify four elected legislators in Hong Kong.
Under the new pathway to permanent residency for Hong Kong youth, any resident of the city who has graduated from a recognised university in the past five years can apply to work for up to three years in Canada, and will be offered a way for easier transition to permanent residency.
Since the social unrest erupted last year, the number of clients seeking to move to other countries has surged by four to five times
Canada also plans to accelerate the process for the spouses, partners and children of young Hongkongers to emigrate to the country.
