Hong Kong Watch Canada calls for urgent action to address study permit expiry for Hong Kong Pathway applicants with children
Introduction
Canada’s Hong Kong Pathway, a scheme that provides a route to permanent residency (PR) for Hong Kongers, offered hope for individuals seeking refuge from the deteriorating human rights situation in Hong Kong. However, recent survey results from Hong Kong Watch Canada have revealed a concerning issue regarding study permits for applicants with children. Due to delays in PR application approval, a significant number of respondents reported that their children’s study permits had already expired or were set to expire within a few months. The Hong Kong Young Professionals Association of Canada conducted a separate survey, which found that only 5 cases of PR approval for the Hong Kong Pathway were recorded in February 2024, compared with an average of 372 cases per month in 2023. This is a main reason for the backlog. This situation calls for immediate attention and action to ensure the well-being and future of these children.
Survey data
The survey data highlights the urgency of the situation:
Already expired: 50 respondents reported that their children’s study permits had already expired.
Expiring within 2 months: 18 respondents mentioned that their children’s study permits were due to expire within the next 2 months.
Expiring between 3 to 6 months: 38 respondents stated that their children’s study permits were expected to expire within a time frame of 3 to 6 months.
Expiring before 2027: 58 respondents reported that their children’s study permits would expire prior to the year 2027.
Consequences of study permit expiry
When a study permit expires, it can have severe consequences for the child and their future in Canada. Losing legal status means that the child may no longer have the authorization to stay in the country and continue their studies. This situation not only disrupts their education but also puts their long-term prospects at risk.
Recommendations
Immediate action is required to address the potential consequences faced by children whose study permits have expired or are expiring soon. The following recommendations are proposed:
Increasing admission targets: The Canadian government should consider increasing the admission targets for the Hong Kong Pathway in 2024. By allocating more slots for this pathway, a larger number of applicants can be accommodated, reducing processing times and waiting lists. Expanding the admission targets will demonstrate the government’s commitment to supporting individuals from Hong Kong under this lifeboat scheme and providing them with a pathway to permanent residency in Canada.
Granting temporary work and study permits: To mitigate the impact of study permit expiry, immediate action should be taken to grant work permits and study permits to Hong Kong Pathway applicants until their PR approval is granted. Bridging Open Work Permit (BOWP) or Interim Work Authorization (IWA) should be considered. This will ensure that these individuals can continue to work and study in Canada while their PR applications are being processed. Fast-tracking the policy implementation is crucial, as a majority of applicants’ permits are set to expire in the near future.
Conclusion
The issue of study permit expiry faced by Hong Kong Pathway applicants with children requires urgent attention. By increasing the admission targets and granting temporary work and study permits, the Canadian government can demonstrate its commitment to supporting individuals from Hong Kong and provide them with a clear pathway to permanent residency. Taking immediate action will not only alleviate the concerns of affected families but also uphold Canada’s values of compassion and inclusivity. It is time to prioritize the well-being and future of these children and ensure that they are not left in a precarious situation.