Moving from Hong Kong to Canada
Learn the various pathways of immigration to Canada from Hong Kong, including family-sponsorship and employment.
Hong Kong
CanadaInterested in Immigrating to Canada from Hong Kong?
Canadian Citizens of Hong Kong descent, first-generation Hong Kong immigrants, or descendants of Hong Kong who immigrated to Canada are called Hong Kong-Canadians.
The unofficial number of Hong Kong Canadians living in Canada is around 205,000 people. The largest wave of Hong Kongers moving to Canada was during the late 1980s and early 1990s due to the uncertainties of the transfer of sovereignty of Hong Kong. Many Hong Kong Canadians hold multiple citizenship between Canada and Hong Kong. There are several reasons so many Hong Kongers immigrate to Canada!
The Current Situation in Hong Kong
The extradition bill would have allowed for criminal suspects to be extradited to mainland China under certain circumstances. This bill passed in April which triggered the beginning of the revolt.
Opponents said this risked exposing Hong Kongers to unfair trials and violent treatment. They also argued the bill would give China greater influence over Hong Kong and could be used to target activists and journalists.
Hundreds of thousands of people took to the streets. After weeks of protests, leader Carrie Lam eventually said the bill would be suspended indefinitely.
This has led to a surge of immigration out of Hong Kong to avoid the violence between protesters and the police.
Canada's Plan to Help Hong Kongers Immigrate Canada
On November 12, 2020, Minister Marco Mendicino announced new measures that will attract students and youth from Hong Kong to live in Canada by offering a new open work permit and expanding their pathways to permanent residency. This plan was made for the 2021-2023 Immigration Levels Plan which will encourage recent Hong Kong graduates and those with essential work experience to choose Canada as a place to study, work, and live. Along with this plan, Medincinoi also mentioned that existing programs will be enhanced to support those Hong Kongers currently in Canada.
This plan introduces the new pathways for Hong Kong youth! Canada recognizing the talent and skills many Hong Kong students and graduates can bring to Canada’s economy and workforce, the IRCC has announced a new initiative that allows Hong Kong residents in Canada or abroad with recently completed post-secondary studies to apply for an open work permit which may be valid for up to 3 years.
Obtaining an open work permit will allow residents, to visit or stay in Canada and gain valuable employment experience. To follow this experience, a new pathway to permanent resident status for in-Canada Hong Kong residents who meet specific eligibility criteria is being created at this time. This new pathway will be available in 2021, and criteria will include minimum language and education levels and 1 year of work experience in Canada.
China's New Dual Citizenship Policy
On January 29th, the Chinese government announced a new policy for those living in Hong Kong with dual citizenship. This new rule forces all of these Hong Kong citizens to decide between the two statuses and give up the other. This has raised many concerns for Canadian citizens and the government.
This new enforcement means Canada will be denied consular access to any Hong Kongers who, when forced to choose, declare themselves to be Chinese.
Learn more about this new dual citizenship policy.
Hong Kong Community in Canada
Most Hong Kong-Canadians reside in the metropolitan areas of Toronto and Vancouver. There is also a significant amount of Hong Kong Canadians living throughout Calgary and Edmonton, Alberta as well.
Immigration Process
Working in Canada
Family Sponsorship
Study Permits
Call Us Today
The first step towards moving to Canada is to get an assessment of your specific situation. Call us today at +1.647.792.3035 for an assessment to see if you are eligible to move to Canada, or fill out our online assessment form.