Immigration Canada released data Thursday showing that as of Tuesday, they had received 5,727 applications for new work visas submitted by Hong Kong residents. The Canadian government opened applications to Hong Kong residents in early February, and those who qualify will be granted three-year work visas and have the chance to qualify for permanent residency in Canada.
A spokesman for the government agency, Alexander Cohen, told Bloomberg that this shows the number of applicants for the visa program is growing rapidly. In February, they received only 524 applications.
Cohen said they are encouraged by the surge in applications and look forward to welcoming more Hong Kong people to Canada through this new channel.
The Canadian government announced last November that they would give Hong Kong residents more facilities to study and work in Canada in light of the Hong Kong government’s recent implementation of the National Security Act.
Relations between China and Canada have deteriorated significantly recently due to the Meng Wanzhou incident and the arrest of several Canadian citizens by China. Shortly after the passage of Hong Kong’s National Security Act, Canada suspended its extradition agreement with Hong Kong.
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