Canada widens HK pathway

Canada will scrap the tertiary education requirement under the "Hong Kong Pathway" immigration scheme from middle of next month, allowing all Hongkongers to apply for permanent residency after working there for a year.

Apart from those holding an open work permit, Hongkongers with a working holiday visa and other work visas can apply for permanent residency under the scheme's Stream B Canadian work experience with one-year work requirement.

They can choose to work for 1,560 part-time hours in the three years before applying. Currently, only those who have graduated from post-secondary institutions no more than 10 years before application can apply for an open work permit and later for permanent residency under Stream B after having worked for a year.

Those who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada within three years can apply for permanent residency under Stream A.

Speaking on behalf of the Canadian immigration minister in Ontario, parliamentary secretary to the minister of housing and diversity and inclusion Paul Chiang Chin-yue described the new arrangement as a "win-win situation."

"Expanding Stream B will allow us to bring more talented and bright individuals from Hong Kong with valuable Canadian work experience into our workforce," Chiang said.

"With so many young people in Hong Kong casting their eyes abroad, we want them to choose Canada to study, to work and to settle down."

Those employed under the working holiday program are eligible to apply for permanent residency after a year, he said.

Among those who will take advantage of the relaxation is 30-year-old Hongkonger Vivian, who is heading to Canada in September for a working holiday but is now eligible for Stream B.

"I am a class of 2014 graduate. I already gave up applying for Stream B as it had been more than five years since I graduated," she said.

"I can consider finding a more stable job and claim permanent residency."

Andrew Lo Lap-kwong, chief executive of Hong Kong-based immigration consultancy Anlex, said his firm has already received over 100 inquiries. "The scheme sounds so appealing, as you don't have to do investment, and can apply for permanent residency only by working in Canada. It also has a quicker application processing time," said Lo.

But there are risks, he said, adding: "It is a temporary scheme, in case there is a sudden recession, employers may lay you off, and then it could be big trouble.

"And people also need to prepare that they may not enjoy the same job positions and salaries they had in Hong Kong."

Lo said a working holiday visa may not be suitable for those who plan to get permanent residency via Stream B, as it is hard to ensure the working hours meet requirements.

The relaxation was prompted by Stream B applicants who graduated in 2016 and 2017 and would be ineligible to apply after working for a year. Canada launched the scheme in June 2021 and it is supposed to end in August 2026.

As of April, more than 3,100 Hongkongers had their applications approved, including 764 applicants via Stream B.

Executive Council convener Regina Ip Lau Suk-yee said the relaxation is a "copy" of Hong Kong's Top Talent Pass Scheme launched in December, which allows high-earning talent and top university graduates to stay in Hong Kong for two years without securing a job.

eunice.lam@singtaonewscorp.com

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