‘Stuck’: Canada ends Hong Kong migration pathway, some turn to US and UK

Canada has ended its dedicated migration pathway for Hong Kong residents, leaving some applicants in a state of uncertainty. This decision, announced by Ottawa on Friday, will halt the acceptance of new applications starting Monday. However, those who submitted applications before the deadline will still proceed through the process.

The scheme, introduced in 2021 to address Beijing's national security law, enabled applicants to gain permanent residency through various means, such as completing a degree, obtaining an open work permit, or accumulating work hours.

Immigration consultants have noted the closure's impact on those who struggled to meet the requirements, particularly with the English proficiency test. Benny Cheung, a director at Goldmax, explained that some Hongkongers are now exploring alternative destinations, prioritizing the United Kingdom and the United States. The UK's BN(O) visa, which he recommends for those with a UK passport, is less costly than other options like investment immigration.

Peggy Lau, head of business development at Uni Immigration Consultancy, stated that the majority of Hongkongers seeking to migrate to Canada had already submitted applications, implying the closure would have a limited effect. She also highlighted that the peak emigration wave had already occurred, suggesting the scheme's end would not lead to a sudden surge in applications to other routes, including the UK's BN(O) visa pathway.

Concerns about the closure were voiced on social media, with some applicants expressing frustration over lengthy waiting periods and failing to meet language proficiency requirements. As of June, a total of 48,560 Hongkongers had applied for permanent residency under the scheme, with 13,485 approved and around 13,370 granted permanent residence status.