Move to Canada from Hong Kong
Do you want to move to Canada from Hong Kong? Canada provides special immigration pathways for residents of Hong Kong who are interested in settling in the country.
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Immigration Pathways for Hong Kong Residents
There are two pathways to permanent residence available for Hong Kong residents who have previously studied or worked in Canada.
These pathways were introduced on June 8, 2021 and are scheduled to remain in effect until August 31, 2026.
Stream A is designed for former Hong Kong residents who have completed a post-secondary program in Canada within the past three years. Applicants must have completed at least 50% of their studies while physically present in Canada, even if some courses were delivered online. Applicants must also:
- Have completed a qualifying degree, diploma (at least 2 years), or a graduate/post-graduate credential (at least 1 year) from a recognized Canadian institution within the last 3 years, with at least half of the program completed in Canada;
- Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB/NCLC level 5 in English or French;
- Hold valid temporary resident status in Canada;
- Plan to live outside the province of Quebec.
Stream B is intended for former Hong Kong residents who studied in Canada or abroad and have at least one year of Canadian work experience. Those who studied outside Canada must also obtain an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to confirm their qualification is equivalent to a Canadian post-secondary credential. Applicants must:
- Be physically present in Canada when permanent residence is granted;
- Have at least one year of skilled work experience in Canada within the past three years;
- Meet a minimum language requirement of CLB/NCLC level 5 in all abilities in English or French;
- Hold valid temporary resident status in Canada;
- Intend to reside outside Quebec.
As with other Canadian immigration programs, applicants under both streams may include their spouse or partner and dependent children in their application.
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 for a British National (Overseas) status holder, provided they were born, naturalized, or registered in Hong Kong.
Language Requirements:
Applicants under both streams must demonstrate language ability equivalent to a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 5 in English or Niveaux de compétence linguistique canadiens (NCLC) level 5 in French. This requirement applies across all four language skills: listening, speaking, reading, and writing.
Open Work Permit for Hong Kong Graduates
Hong Kong residents may be eligible to apply for an open work permit that allows them to work in Canada for up to three years. This permit provides an opportunity to gain valuable Canadian work experience.
Eligibility requirements include:
Applicants must:
- Hold a valid passport issued by either the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or the United Kingdom as a British National (Overseas) (BNO) citizen;
- Have graduated within the past 10 years with either a university degree or a diploma from a program lasting at least two years.
If the qualification was obtained outside Canada, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) is required. This assessment is used by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to confirm that the foreign education is equivalent to Canadian standards.
IRCC also recommends ensuring that your passport is valid for at least three years from the date your application is approved. If your passport has a shorter validity period, the work permit will be issued for the remaining validity of the passport.
Working Holiday Program
Each year, tens of thousands of young people from more than 30 countries travel to Canada through the International Experience Canada (IEC) program. Hong Kong is among the regions that has a Working Holiday agreement with Canada, allowing eligible residents to live and work temporarily in the country. Participants may receive an open work permit valid for up to 12 months, giving them the flexibility to change employers and locations while in Canada.
Eligibility requirements include:
Applicants must:
- Hold a valid passport issued by the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (HKSAR) or a valid British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport;
- Be between 18 and 30 years of age;
- Have at least CAN$2,500 to support initial expenses in Canada;
- Hold valid health insurance for the duration of their stay;
- Be admissible to Canada;
- Have a return ticket or proof of sufficient funds to purchase one at the end of their authorized stay.
Interested applicants must first submit an online profile through the official government portal when the intake period is open. Candidates who meet the criteria may then be selected and invited to apply during regular invitation rounds.
Other Economic Immigration Options
Residents of Hong Kong who are interested in becoming permanent residents of Canada can explore more than 100 different immigration pathways.
The main route is Express Entry, which is Canada’s primary system for skilled immigration. This system ranks eligible candidates against one another based on human capital factors and invites the highest-scoring applicants to apply for permanent residence. Applicants from Hong Kong are often well positioned for Express Entry due to strong education backgrounds and English language proficiency—both of which are important factors under the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). CRS scores are calculated based on age, education, language ability, work experience, and other criteria.
Another widely used pathway is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Through this program, provinces and territories in Canada can nominate individuals who meet their specific labour market needs and wish to settle in a particular region. A large number of immigrants are expected to obtain permanent residence through PNP streams in the coming years. Candidates with in-demand skills, relevant work experience, or previous Canadian experience may have a stronger chance of success under this program.
For those planning to live in Quebec, separate immigration pathways are available, as the province manages its own selection system for skilled workers and business immigrants.
Family members, including spouses, partners, and dependent children who are already in Canada, may be included in permanent residence applications.
Business Immigration Options
Hong Kong residents with investment capacity also have access to several business immigration programs that may help accelerate their pathway to Canada. Many provinces offer entrepreneur programs that allow individuals to invest in and manage a business within Canada.
Individuals with entrepreneurial experience, innovative business ideas, and interest in collaborating with Canada’s private sector may also consider the Start-up Visa Program, which is designed for those looking to build and establish new businesses in Canada.
