Hong Kong Option - Themillenniumimmigration

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Are you considering moving to Canada from Hong Kong? The Milennium Immigration is here to help. Canada has established specific immigration pathways designed for residents of Hong Kong.

With over 11 years of experience, The Milennium Immigration is dedicated to assisting Hong Kong residents in achieving their Canadian immigration goals. To schedule a free consultation with one of our experienced lawyers, please fill out our contact form.

Immigration Pathways for Hong Kong Residents

There are two primary pathways to permanent residence for Hong Kong residents who have either studied or worked in Canada. These pathways became available on June 8, 2021, and will remain open until August 31, 2026.

Stream A: This pathway is for former Hong Kong residents who graduated from a Canadian post-secondary institution within the last three years. Candidates must have completed at least 50% of their program while physically present in Canada, even if classes were online. The requirements are as follows:

Graduation with a degree, diploma (two years or longer), or graduate/post-graduate credential (one year or longer) from a Canadian institution within the last three years.
Completion of at least 50% of the program in Canada (online or in-person).
Language proficiency of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 5 in English or French.
Valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Intention to reside in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Stream B: This pathway is for former Hong Kong residents who have graduated from a post-secondary institution either in Canada or abroad and possess at least one year of work experience in Canada. Those who studied outside Canada must obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to verify that their credentials are equivalent to Canadian standards. The requirements include:

Being physically present in Canada at the time of receiving permanent residence.
A minimum of one year of work experience in Canada within the last three years.
Language proficiency of CLB 5 in all four language skills (listening, speaking, reading, and writing) in English or French.
Valid temporary resident status in Canada.
Intention to live in a province or territory other than Quebec.

Both streams allow principal applicants to include spouses, partners, and dependent children in their applications.

Additional Requirements for Both Streams:

The principal applicant must hold a passport issued by either:
- The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People’s Republic of China, or
- The United Kingdom, as a British National Overseas.

Language Requirements:

Candidates must meet the CLB/NCLC 5 language proficiency requirement in each of the four skill areas.

Open Work Permit for Hong Kong Graduates

Hong Kong residents can also apply for an open work permit, valid for up to three years, allowing them to gain valuable Canadian work experience. To be eligible, applicants must:

Hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or the United Kingdom as a British National Overseas (BNO).
Have graduated within the last ten years with either a university degree or a diploma from a program lasting at least two years.
Obtain an ECA if their education was completed outside Canada.

The IRCC recommends that your passport be valid for at least three years from the approval date to ensure the work permit matches your passport’s validity.

Working Holiday Program

Under the International Experience Canada (IEC) program, Hong Kong residents can participate in a Working Holiday Program, allowing them to work in Canada for up to 12 months. Eligibility requirements include:

Holding a valid passport issued by the HKSAR or a BNO passport.
Being between the ages of 18 and 30.
Having at least CAD 2,500 to cover initial costs in Canada.
Obtaining health insurance.
Being admissible to Canada.
Possessing a return ticket or the ability to purchase one.

Interested applicants must submit a profile on the government’s website during the open registration period.

Other Economic Immigration Options

Hong Kong residents seeking permanent residence in Canada have access to over 100 immigration pathways.

Express Entry is the main pathway, ranking candidates based on factors such as education, language skills, and work experience. Hong Kong candidates often excel in this system due to their high educational levels and language proficiency.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) allows provinces and territories to nominate candidates for immigration based on local labor market needs. This program is expected to grant permanent residence to over 240,000 individuals by 2023.

For those looking to live in Quebec, specific immigration programs are available tailored to skilled workers and business people.

Business Immigration Options are also available for those with capital to invest in Canada. Provinces offer various business immigration programs for entrepreneurs, and the Start-up Visa Program is designed for those with innovative business ideas.

Contact The Milennium Immigration for Assistance

The Milennium Immigration comprises a team of 60 professionals specializing in Canadian immigration law. If you’re from Hong Kong and seeking more information about immigrating to Canada, please reach out to us for a free consultation with our immigration lawyers.