Canada announces two new permanent residency pathways for Hong Kong residents

Marco Mendicino, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, announces measures of support to in-Canada families of victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 and Ukraine International Airlines Flight 752 during a press conference in Ottawa on Thursday, May 13, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Sean Kilpatrick

Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino says Canada is offering two new paths to permanent residency for Hong Kong residents who work and/or are recent graduates already living in the country.

The federal government says it is "deeply concerned" about China's imposition of the national security law and the "deteriorating" human rights situation in Hong Kong, adding the country stands shoulder to shoulder with the people of Hong Kong.

In order to be eligible for the new permanent residency pathways, applicants must have valid temporary resident status.

They must also meet the specified language, education and work requirements, and must be in Canada when submitting their application and when their permanent residence is granted.

The applicants are still subject to Canada's regular immigration application, screening and admissibility requirements, according to the release.

Mendicino announced initiatives to help Hong Kongers come to Canada in November, and the first stream opened applications in February 2021.