Canada ends Hong Kong ‘lifeboat’ immigration scheme launched in the wake of national security law
Canada has ceased accepting applicants for a “lifeboat” immigration scheme introduced for Hongkongers in the wake of the national security law. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada, the government department responsible for immigration to the country, said in a statement on Friday that the scheme – which allows Hongkongers to gain permanent residency in Canada – […]
Canada has terminated its immigration program for Hongkongers, known as the "lifeboat" scheme, which was established in response to the 2020 national security law. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada announced that the program would cease accepting new applicants on August 31. Those who applied by that date will still be processed, but the program is set to expire at the end of 2026.
Hongkongers who have already applied can remain in Canada with an extended open work permit program until May 2029. The immigration scheme, launched in 2021, provided two pathways for Hongkongers to obtain permanent residency: one for those who graduated from Canadian post-secondary institutions in the preceding three years, and another for those with one year of work experience in Canada.
Canada's then-immigration minister described the scheme as a "landmark initiative" that would strengthen the relationship between Canada and Hong Kong. As of the announcement, 13,370 Hongkongers had been granted permanent residence through the program, which received around 48,560 applications.
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