Last week, a cross-party group of eight British parliamentarians and public figures, including Hong Kong Watch Patrons Lord Patten of Barnes, the last governor of Hong Kong; Sir Malcolm Rifkind KCMG KC, former Foreign Secretary; Sir Geoffrey Nice KC; Lord Alton of Liverpool; and Alistair Carmichael MP, as well as the former Leader of the Green Party Baroness Bennett of Manor Castle, wrote to Prime Minister Mark Carney, urging the Government of Canada to expand the quotas for the Hong Kong Pathway and address the growing backlog of more than 20,000 applications from Hong Kongers seeking permanent residency (PR).

The joint letter, organized by Hong Kong Watch, expresses deep appreciation for Canada’s leadership in launching the Hong Kong Pathway lifeboat scheme in 2021, which allows Hong Kong residents seeking refuge to rebuild their lives in freedom and safety. The letter also highlights how Canada’s program complements the UK’s British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa scheme, providing a coordinated lifeboat approach for Hong Kongers seeking refuge abroad.

However, the signatories point out that the current Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) quotas – capped at fewer than 2,000 admissions in 2025 – are insufficient to process the 20,000 applications currently in the system, potentially leaving thousands of families in limbo for years. They urge the Canadian government to immediately expand the quotas and reallocate unused admission targets to ensure timely approvals for Hong Kong Pathway applicants.

“This prolonged uncertainty is causing significant hardship: as temporary work permits expire, families are losing access to healthcare and children are being forced out of school,” the letter states. “Applicants are eager and committed to contributing fully to Canadian society, but they are unable to do so without permanent residency.”

The letter also highlights the economic impact of the policy gap, noting that Hong Kongers without PR status are unable to transfer their Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) retirement savings – capital that could otherwise contribute to Canada’s economy. It further calls attention to Hong Kong-trained professionals, such as doctors, who face barriers to employment due to their temporary status.

The signatories urge Prime Minister Carney to expand the Hong Kong Pathway quotas, clear the backlog, and ensure a fair and timely route to permanent residency for qualified applicants. They emphasize that Hong Kongers have already demonstrated their contributions to British society under the UK’s BNO visa scheme and will continue to enrich Canada in similar ways.

“Your leadership and principled voice have always carried weight on matters of justice,” the signatories write. “We would be deeply grateful for your support in ensuring a compassionate and practical solution for these individuals.”

Aileen Calverley, co-founder and Chair of Trustees of Hong Kong Watch, welcomed the letter from UK lawmakers, saying:

“This joint letter reflects the shared responsibility of democratic allies to stand with the people of Hong Kong who have chosen freedom. The UK’s and Canada’s lifeboat schemes have already transformed lives, but without swift action to expand quotas and enable MPF transfers, thousands of families will remain trapped in uncertainty. 

Canada’s Hong Kong Pathway fills a vital gap for those without BNO status, offering them a chance at freedom. We are grateful for Prime Minister Carney’s leadership and urge him to ensure these lifeboat measures fulfil their promise.”

The letter was copied to The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab, Minister of Immigration; The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Finance; and The Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Foreign Affairs.

You can read the full letter here.

Background

Canada launched the Hong Kong Pathway in 2021 to support Hong Kong residents fleeing the erosion of freedoms under the National Security Law. The program provides study-permit and work-permit routes to permanent residency through the Humanitarian and Compassionate (H&C) category and complements the United Kingdom’s British National (Overseas) (BNO) visa scheme. Together, these lifeboat programs embody the shared commitment of Canada and the UK to provide safety, opportunity and a new beginning for Hong Kongers seeking freedom.

Canada’s Hong Kong Pathway fills a vital gap for those ineligible for BNO status – particularly younger Hong Kongers born after 1997 – ensuring that all who share democratic values have a pathway to rebuild their lives.

As of 2025, over 20,000 Hong Kong Pathway applications remain in processing, with fewer than 2,000 approvals this year. At this pace, clearing the backlog could take a decade, leaving many families in uncertainty. Current restrictions on Hong Kong’s Mandatory Provident Fund (MPF) also prevent applicants from accessing their retirement savings, trapping billions that could otherwise support resettlement and boost Canada’s economy.