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

Canada has terminated its specialized migration scheme for Hong Kong residents, leaving some applicants in uncertainty as they strive to meet the residency requirements. The deadline for new applications was recently set for Monday, though those submitted prior will still be processed. Established in 2021, the scheme aimed to provide permanent residency to Hongkongers qualifying through a degree, open work permit, or a certain number of work hours.

The closure of the pathway comes amid Canada's stringent immigration policies. Benny Cheung, an immigration consultant, expressed concerns that some Hongkongers, especially those struggling with English proficiency tests, found themselves unable to secure permanent residency and are now considering alternatives. The UK and US are popular choices due to their convenient geography, though moving to the US is costly, while the UK's BN(O) visa does not require significant investment.

Peggy Lau, another immigration consultant, stated that the majority of Hongkongers intending to move to Canada have already applied, and the closure is unlikely to cause a sudden influx into other countries like the UK. As of June, 48,560 Hongkongers had applied for permanent residency, with 13,485 approved and 13,370 granted permanent residence.