Canada Welcomes More Hongkongers

More Hongkongers choosing to move to Canada 

More Hongkongers are choosing to come to Canada, particularly young people who have graduated since 2016, as the country has specific pathways for them to become permanent residents.

Since the pathways were announced in June 2021 in response to the national security law implemented in 2020, 1,700 Hongkongers have been granted permanent residency, and nearly 33,000 work and study permits.

About 17,000 have applied for open work permits, and less than 16,000 for study visas.

Canada targeting young Hongkongers

Canada's policies are specifically targeting young people, either recent graduates, or those already or intending to study here.

Hong Kong graduates who studied in Canada or have worked here for at least a year after obtaining postsecondary qualifications within the past five years can apply for permanent residency.

Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) received 1,760 applications for permanent residency between the launch of the scheme and October last year.

More than 90 percent used their Canadian educational qualifications to apply, the rest used their work experience in the country. 

Of the 1,760 who applied, 1,700 were granted permanent residency, 49 were refused, and 11 withdrew, which means a 97 percent success rate.

"With many young Hongkongers casting their eyes abroad, we want them to choose Canada," said a spokesman for IRCC.

Canadian pathways announced in June 2021

With the work permits, recent graduates can come to Canada and apply for a job and bring dependents with them. Nearly 17,400 work permits or extensions were issued to Hongkongers from the launch of the scheme until last October.

Of them 72 percent were in their 20s, 20 percent in their 30s, 6 percent in their 40s and 1 percent over 50 and below 20 years of age.

To qualify for permanent residency, those with a three-year open work permit must work full time for at least one year, or 1,560 hours.

The United Kingdom and Australia are other destinations Hongkongers are applying to. In the UK, the British National (Overseas) visa pathway allows Hongkongers to live and work there for five years and then are eligible for citizenship.

Meanwhile Hong Kong graduates who studied in Australia must remain there for three to four years before becoming eligible for permanent residency.

Hongkongers also choosing the UK, Australia

With Canada's scheme being the easiest, it's not surprising to see so many young people applying, while others holding BN(O) passports and have cash to burn are trying their luck in the UK.

Canada is also looking to increase its population by 1.45 million with young immigrants in the next three years, and Hongkongers are just one of the many welcomed with open arms.