OTTAWA (Reuters) – Canada said on Thursday that Hong Kong graduates from Canadian universities could apply for a new category of three-year work permit next week and expressed new concern about China’s crackdown on former territory British.
The announcement marks the last step in Canada’s campaign to help Hong Kong after China imposed a new national security law in late June 2020, aimed at anything that Beijing considers subversion, secession or terrorism. About 300,000 Canadian passport holders live in the city.
Under the new visa rules, unveiled last November, any Hong Kong resident who has graduated from a Canadian university in the past five years can apply to work for up to three years. Those with equivalent foreign credentials are also eligible.
Visa recipients will also have a way to make the transition to permanent residence easier.
“Canada continues shoulder to shoulder with
Hong Kong people and is deeply concerned about the new National Security Act and the deteriorating human rights situation, “the government said in a statement.
After China imposed the law, Ottawa moved quickly to suspend its extradition treaty with Hong Kong and banned the export of sensitive military items.
Hong Kong residents currently in Canada temporarily, including visitors, students and workers, can apply online for visas. Eligible spouses or partners in a stable relationship, as well as dependent children, can also apply for a study or work permit.
The measures apply to residents who have a special Hong Kong administrative region or a British National Overseas passport, created under British law in 1987, which relates specifically to Hong Kong. China and Hong Kong say they no longer recognize the BNO passport as a valid travel document.
(Reporting by David Ljunggren; Editing by Peter Cooney)