Moving to Canada from Hong Kong: how to make it happen

If you’d like to immigrate from Hong Kong to Canada, there are many options available. In addition to popular, globally-available pathways like International Experience Canada (IEC) and Express Entry, Canada is also creating a series of new immigration pathways specifically for Hong Kong residents. These new pathways are launching throughout 2021. 

This is your guide to the best Canadian immigration options for Hong Kong residents.

Canada is creating new immigration pathways to help Hong Kong residents

In 2020, Canada announced plans to introduce three new pathways to help Hong Kong youth immigrate to Canada. The plans also include special immigration measures to assist Hong Kong residents, including Canadians residing in Hong Kong, who wish to immigrate, or return, to Canada. These new pathways are in response to Canada’s concern “about the new National Security Law and the deteriorating human rights situation there.”

The first of the three pathways, an open work permit stream for recent graduates, launched in February 2021. The two additional pathways, one for permanent residence applicants and one for study permit applicants, are expected to launch later in 2021.

Open work permit program for recent graduates

As of February 8, 2021, Canada launched a new open work permit pathway for Hong Kong residents who are recent graduates of post-secondary institutions. This initiative enables Hong Kong residents who are in Canada or abroad to apply for an open work permit in Canada. These open work permits will be valid for a period of up to three years.

In order to be eligible to apply, Hong Kong residents must have completed a post-secondary diploma or degree from a program of at least two years. The credential must have been completed within the five years prior to applying. This credential may have been completed in any country, but if the program was not in Canada, applicants must show that the credential is equivalent to a Canadian diploma or degree.

Hong Kong residents who are currently in Canada as visitors, students, or workers, may apply for the new open work permit online. However, those outside Canada are subject to Canada’s ongoing COVID-19 travel restrictions and thus will be unable to travel to Canada unless the meet one of the exemptions to the travel restrictions and follow all public health protocols.

IEC Working Holiday Program

Every year, tens of thousands of people from more than 30 countries come to Canada to live and work under the IEC program. Hong Kong is one of the countries that has a Working Holiday agreement with Canada, allowing Hong Kong passport holders to work for any employer in Canada and to switch jobs and location after arrival. However, a range of qualifying criteria does exist. For instance, you must be between 18 and 30 years old to apply, and there is a limited quota system in place.

Hong Kong has been part of the Working Holiday agreement with Canada since 2010. Each year, hundreds of Hong Kong passport holders take advantage and receive approval to move to Canada from Hong Kong. However, interest in the IEC program typically exceeds the total quota for Hong Kong passport holders — so be sure to plan ahead!

The IEC program is a great way to explore this amazing country. It’s also a chance to embark on a successful career in Canada, with opportunities to stay beyond your initial work permit.

The 2021 IEC season is open as of March 1 for many countries. New COVID-19 measures have been introduced. Full details in our Working Holiday Newshub.

Study Permits

Each year, thousands of Hong Kong passport holders come to Canada on a study permit, allowing them to gain higher education in Canada while working and building towards a great career in the Great White North. If you decide to study in Canada, you will have the opportunity to learn in one of the many prestigious North American institutions and graduate with a diploma, degree, or postgraduate qualification that will prove invaluable as your career progresses. Moreover, there’s a clear pathway in place for graduates to work in Canada after graduating and then stay permanently.

In general, students from Hong Kong fare well in Canada thanks to their typically advanced education levels. If you want to learn more about what studying in Canada is really like, our study section has those insights. In addition, sign up for our International Student Roadmap, a free email-education service that covers everything you need to prepare to study in Canada through daily lessons over the course of one week.

Express Entry

If you want to move to Canada permanently, then Express Entry may be your best option. But what is Express Entry, and how does it work?

Individuals and families from Hong Kong, and all other countries around the world, can immigrate to Canada within just a few months through the Express Entry immigration selection system. Express Entry was introduced in 2015 and has quickly become the main driver of skilled worker immigration to Canada, and one of the most popular immigration systems globally.

Express Entry ranks eligible candidates against one another, and then invites the top-ranked candidates to apply for Canadian permanent resident status. Candidates are ranked against one another based on their age, education, language proficiency, work experience, and other factors.

Hong Kong passport holders may be well positioned to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry because of their high education levels and English language skills – all applicants must show proficiency in either English or French. Language ability is a particularly valuable factor in Express Entry.

Moving to Canada from Hong Kong: New pathways expected in 2021

Throughout 2021, the Government of Canada’s plans to introduce three new immigration initiatives specifically designed to facilitate the immigration of Hong Kong youth to Canada. The first, an open work permit pathway for recent graduates, launched in February 2021. However, two additional pathways to permanent residence are expected before the end of the year:

1. Pathway to permanent resident status for Hong Kong residents with Canadian work experience: To be eligible, candidates will need to have at least one year of Canadian work experience and will have to meet a minimum language and education requirement.
2. Pathway to permanent resident status for Hong Kong residents who have studied in Canada: To be eligible, candidates will need to have graduated from a post-secondary institution in Canada.

Notably, full details about these two new immigration programs have not yet been released. More information about eligibility criteria and application procedures are expected in the coming months.

In addition to these new immigration initiatives for Hong Kong youth, Canada will also be introducing other measures to assist Hong Kong residents. This includes expediting the processing of documents and permanent residence immigration applications for those residing in Hong Kong, waiving certain application fees for in-Canada Hong Kong residents who wish to extend their stay, and increasing promotion of Canada as a work and study destination for Hong Kong youth.

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