Hong Kong's new security law has prompted a sharp uptick in inquiries from families looking to relocate to Canada, but Ottawa's strict COVID-19 border control measures are making it nearly impossible to get in, immigration lawyers said.
OTTAWA - Hong Kong’s new security law has prompted a sharp uptick in inquiries from families looking to relocate to Canada, but Ottawa’s strict COVID-19 border control measures are making it nearly impossible to get in, immigration lawyers said.
Admissions of new permanent residents from Hong Kong jumped 75.7% in January and February 2020 compared to the previous year, as Beijing’s crackdown on pro-democracy protesters escalated.Beijing imposed the legislation on Hong Kong this week despite protests from Hong Kongers and Western nations, setting China’s freest city and a major financial hub on a more authoritarian track.
But in the days since China imposed the security law, Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland has found himself consulting with people by phone, email and Zoom on how to get from Hong Kong into Canada. “Until the travel restrictions are lifted from COVID, I can’t imagine how someone would manage to even board a flight at this point,” said Toronto immigration lawyer Chantal Desloges.
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