Canada set to launch an Open Work Permit for Hong Kong residents

Canada has launched a new Open Work Permit on 8th February for graduates and skilled workers from Hong Kong. This work permit would be valid for a duration of three years and will allow the residents of Hong Kong to work in Canada and gain work experience. Candidates with work experience get more points in the Express Entry System. In addition, work experience is highly valuable for some of the Provincial Nominee Programs as well. So, the work experience that the Hongkongers obtain through open work permit will become useful for their permanent residency immigration application

Eligibility for Open Work Permit

Graduates from a Canadian post-secondary institution with a degree or diploma or an equivalent degree from an institution outside Canada.
Post-secondary diplomas must be a minimum of two years duration.
Visitors, students, and temporary workers who are already staying in Canada can apply online for an open work permit.
Residents of Hong Kong who are applying from outside Canada are required to have a job offer first.

New immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents

Along with the launch of open work permits, Canada will soon start two new immigration pathways that are specially intended for Hong Kong residents. The first immigration program will be for skilled workers who have at least a year of Canadian work experience along with other eligibility requirements such as language ability and education. The other one will be for students of Hong Kong descent who have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada. They will be able to apply for Canadian Permanent Residence right after graduation. Both the programs will be launched this year with an aim to increase immigration from Hong Kong. Individuals who hold a passport of Hong Kong special administrative region or of British National (overseas) will be able to apply to these new immigration programs. Canada wants to support Hong Kong residents who desire to move to the country and settle there permanently, and therefore the Immigration Minister has announced to introduce two new immigration programs for Hongkongers last year. Marco Mendicino further believes that such initiatives will support Canada and Hong Kong to deepen their strategic ties. Also, the launch of an open work permit will help attract young and talented people from Hong Kong and promote economic recovery.