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Matthew Cheng

Eric Jiang

The closure of Canada’s “lifeboat” migration scheme for Hongkongers has left some applicants who are struggling to meet permanent residency requirements in limbo, prompting others to consider alternative destinations such as the US and Britain.
Hong Kong-based immigration agents made this observation after Ottawa announced on Friday that its dedicated pathways for Hongkongers would stop accepting new applications on Monday. Applications submitted before the deadline will continue to be processed.
Launched in 2021 in response to Beijing’s imposition of the national security law in Hong Kong, the pathway allowed applicants to qualify for permanent residency either by completing a diploma or bachelor’s degree at designated Canadian institutions, or obtaining an open work permit and working full-time in the country for at least one year, or accumulating 1,560 work hours.
Benny Cheung Ka-hei, director of immigration consulting firm Goldmax, said on Sunday that the scheme’s closure was widely expected amid Canada’s tightening immigration policy.
He noted that some Hongkongers who moved to the country failed to meet the requirements, particularly struggling with the English proficiency test, and that the closure could shut down their route to permanent residence.
“Some of our clients moved to Canada but are busy or need to take care of children and remain unable to pass the English test despite multiple attempts,” Cheung said. “Some of them are stuck at this stage.”
He said some Hongkongers unable to qualify for permanent residency had begun seeking alternatives, prioritising the United Kingdom and the United States.
“Moving to the US is geographically convenient for them, but it is expensive. Employment-based immigration costs a lot, while investment immigration requires at least US$800,000,” Cheung said.
“The UK’s BN(O) visa does not cost much. So we do advise clients who have a BN(O) passport to consider moving to Britain.”

Peggy Lau Pik-ki, head of business development at Uni Immigration Consultancy, noted that most Hongkongers intending to migrate to Canada had already submitted applications, meaning the closure would have only a minimal impact.
“The deadline has been public for a relatively long time, and no extension is expected,” Lau said. “Those who failed the English-language test actually had ample time to retake it.”
She added that the peak of the city’s emigration wave had passed, suggesting the scheme’s closure was unlikely to trigger a sudden surge in Hongkongers seeking other routes, such as the UK’s BN(O) visa pathway.
Some internet users expressed concerns on social media before the Monday deadline.
“I have been waiting for the permanent residence application for two years, but only received the acknowledgement of receipt,” a Threads user said five days ago.
Another user said on August 16 that his reading score in CELPIP, an English exam for Canadian immigration, was one point short and asked internet users for suggestions.
As of June, a total of 48,560 Hongkongers had applied for permanent residency under the scheme, with 13,485 approved and about 13,370 obtaining permanent residence status, according to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada.
Canada was among several Western countries to introduce emigration pathways for Hongkongers, with its scheme primarily targeting younger people, recent graduates and those who have already studied in the country.


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The closure of Canada’s “lifeboat” migration scheme for Hongkongers has left some applicants who are struggling to meet permanent residency requirements in limbo. Photo: AFP

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Canada was among several Western countries to introduce migration pathways for Hongkongers. Photo: Dickson Lee

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‘Moving to the US is geographically convenient, but it is expensive,’ agent says, recommending UK BN(O) visa as Ottawa closes 2021 pathway


‘Moving to the US is geographically convenient, but it is expensive,’ agent says, recommending UK BN(O) visa as Ottawa closes 2021 pathway.


‘Stuck’: Canada closes Hong Kong migration scheme, some eye new paths

.css-1c6uqr6{color:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;line-height:inherit;overflow-wrap:break-word;}‘Moving to the US is geographically convenient, but it is expensive,’ agent says, recommending UK BN(O) visa as Ottawa closes 2021 pathway

‘Moving to the US is geographically convenient, but it is expensive,’ agent says, recommending UK BN(O) visa as Ottawa closes 2021 pathway