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. A Canadian flag flutters over Giant’s Head Mountain in Summerland, British Columbia. Photo: Ryan Ho Kilpatrick/HKFP. 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 – would close to new applicants from August 31. “We continue to process applications received on or before that date,” the department said. Ottawa had earlier announced that the scheme would expire at the end of August 2026. Hongkongers who have already applied can still live and work in Canada while their application is being processed, the department said. They are able to do so under an extended open work permit programme, which will remain in place until May 2029. 13,000 granted permanent residence Canada launched the immigration scheme in 2021, a response to the Beijing-imposed national security law passed in June 2020 following the anti-extradition protests and unrest. A national security law poster. Photo: GovHK. While Hong Kong authorities said the law was needed to restore stability, Western governments and international organisations raised concerns about its impact on the city’s freedoms. Canada’s scheme provided two pathways for Hongkongers to gain permanent residence. Scheme A was for those who graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada in the three years prior to applying, while Stream B was for those who – under the work permit programme – had one year of work experience in the country. Announcing the scheme five years ago, Canada’s then-immigration minister said the programme was a “landmark initiative” that would “deepen the strong ties between Canada and the people of Hong Kong.” See also: ‘Hanging halfway’: In wake of Canada’s immigration delay, Hong Kong emigrants ponder whether to stay or return home In the Friday statement, Canada’s immigration department said it had received applications from around 48,560 people. Among them, 13,370 have been granted permanent residence. Hongkongers who applied have spoken of longer than expected wait times, with some deciding to return home while waiting for the outcome. Safeguard press freedom; keep HKFP free for all readers by supporting our team Support HKFP | Policies & Ethics | Error/typo? | Contact | Newsletter | Transparency & Annual Report | Apps Make a one-off donation. Hillary Leung is a journalist at Hong Kong Free Press, where she reports on local politics and social issues, and assists with editing. Since joining in late 2021, she has covered the Covid-19 pandemic, political court cases including the 47 democrats national security trial, and challenges faced by minority communities. Born and raised in Hong Kong, Hillary completed her undergraduate degree in journalism and sociology at the University of Hong Kong. She worked at TIME Magazine in 2019, where she wrote about Asia and overnight US news before turning her focus to the protests that began that summer. At Coconuts Hong Kong, she covered general news and wrote features, including about a Black Lives Matter march that drew controversy amid the local pro-democracy movement and two sisters who were born to a domestic worker and lived undocumented for 30 years in Hong Kong. More by Hillary Leung