Parliamentarians from all sides call on Canadian Government to expand its permanent residency policy Stream B for Hong Kongers

A cross-party group of 28 parliamentarians in Canada wrote on 2 February 2023 to the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Sean Fraser MP, calling for the extension and expansion of the Open Work Permit scheme for Hong Kongers, which was due to expire on 7 February 2023.

In their letter, the parliamentarians address the low number of successful applications for the scheme due to the difficulty in applying for Stream B. They note that “the graduation requirement of five years serves as an obstacle for many who successfully applied for the Open Work Permit, accumulated the necessary work experience, and intend on applying for permanent residency through Stream B.”

They conclude their letter by expressing their hope “that the Government will extend and expand the Open Work Permit scheme as a signal that Canada will continue to work with like minded partners to stand with Hong Kong, by providing human rights defenders, families, and young Hong Kongers, safe pathways out of the city.”

The full letter can be read here.