Immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong
Canadian immigration from Hong Kong is made simple with our 3-step procedure.
Canada is one of the most popular countries for immigrants to reside in. If you are thinking about immigrating to Canada from Hong Kong, you should know that there are special programs for you as a citizen of another country, but not an independent state.Â
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There are also some specific requirements and processes that must be followed if you want to move to Canada. However, it’s not impossible. Let us take a look at how you can immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong and become a resident there.Â
Table of Contents
Why Would Immigrants Come From Hong Kong to Canada?
Applications for immigration to Canada from Hong Kong have soared to about 29,000 per year.
There are many reasons to immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong including:
- Quality of Life – Canadian residents enjoy a high quality of life.
- Freedom – People from Hong Kong seek freedom living in Canada.
- COVID-19 Policies – Restrictions are less strict than in Hong Kong.
- Education – Many students from Hong Kong study in Canada.
- Employment – Workers from Hong Kong want Canadian employment.
- Business – Canada has a better business environment than Hong Kong.
- Community – 215,775 immigrants born in Hong Kong live in Canada.
What are the Benefits of Immigrating to Canada From Hong Kong?
If approved for Canada immigration, Hong Kong expats can enjoy several benefits such as:
- Living in Canada long-term
- Working in Canada legally
- Receiving a Canadian education
- Having freedoms protected by law
- Starting your own business in Canada
- Getting the opportunity to own your own home
- Sponsoring family for Canadian immigration
- Traveling to and from Canada whenever you desire
- Being in one of the world’s most peaceful countries
- Applying to become a Canadian citizen after 3 years.
Requirements to immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong:
- Passing an English or French language evaluation exam
- Possessing good health (a medical exam is required)
- No criminal record (police certificates may be needed)
- Being able to support yourself while living in Canada
- Filing a Canadian visa application and paying the fees
- Meeting all of the criteria for Canadian immigration
- Receiving a Canadian visa for permanent or temporary residence
Which Immigration Visa Program is Best for You?
Federal Skilled Worker application for permanent residence:
- Uses a points system (67 out of 100 points are required)
- Get points for age, education, experience, language, job offer, adaptability
- You need a passing score on an approved English or French evaluation exam
- Minimum 1 year of paid full-time experience required in a qualifying occupation
- Many occupations in management, requiring a degree and skilled trades qualify
- Get an Education Credential Assessment if education is from outside Canada
- Receive a passing score on an English or French language evaluation exam
- Create your online Express Entry profile and enter your information
- Once you get an Invitation to Apply, you will file your Canadian visa application
- If approved, a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa will be placed in your passport
- You will move to Canada from Hong Kong and can live in any province or territory
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
- For immigrants with occupations needed in certain provinces or territories
- 9 Canadian provinces and 2 territories have their own PNP
- Apply to the PNP of a province or territory where you want to live in Canada
- Your application will be reviewed by provincial/territorial immigration officials
- If you meet the requirements for a PNP, you will receive a provincial nomination
- Next, you will apply for immigration to Canada from Hong Kong
- Your Canadian visa application is filed with the federal immigration agency
- If approved, a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa will be put in your passport
- You will then move to Canada from Hong Kong to live in the nominating province
Study permit for a temporary stay before transitioning to permanent residency:
- Apply for and get accepted to attend an educational institution in Canada
- Apply for and receive a Canadian Study Permit for temporary residence
- Move to Canada from Hong Kong as an international student
- Full-time international students can work in Canada with a valid permit
- Apply for and receive a Work Permit to live and work in Canada after graduation
- Work in Canada legally for at least 1 year in a skilled occupation
- Apply for permanent residency via the Canadian Experience Class Program
- If approved, your status will be changed from temporary to permanent resident
- As a Canadian permanent resident, you can live in any province or territory
The Start-Up Visa (SUV) Program:
- For Canada immigration, Hong Kong residents can apply for a Start-Up Visa
- The Start-Up Visa is for people who can start a business in Canada that:
- is competitive internationally
- is innovative
- generates new jobs in Canada
- You need to have a qualifying business
- A designated organization must give you a letter of support
- Your English language evaluation exam results must be at the CLB 5 level
- You need Proof of Funds to support yourself and your family in Canada
- Other Canadian immigration requirements must be satisfied
- Application for Hong Kong emigration to Canada is done online
- If approved, a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa will be placed in your passport
- As a Canadian permanent resident, you can live in any province or territory
Quebec’s immigration programs:
- Quebec province has its own Canadian immigration programs
- The Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program is based on a points system
- You need 50 points if single or 59 points if you have a spouse/partner
- Points are given for age, education, experience, language, job offer, family, etc.
- You must file an Expression of Interest (EOI) on Quebec’s online Arrima portal
- A Quebec immigration official will review your EOI
- If you qualify, you will receive a Quebec Selection Certificate
- Then you will apply for Canadian Permanent Residency and pay the fees
- A federal Canadian immigration official will review your application
- If approved, a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa will be put in your passport
- As a Canadian permanent resident, you will live and work in Quebec
Steps to immigrate to Canada from
Hong Kong:
- Find out which Canadian immigration program is best for you
- Learn all that you can about immigration to Canada from Hong Kong
- Prepare for and take an approved English or French language evaluation exam
- Get an ECA if your education was not in Canada and you are applying for the FSWP
- Start the Canadian immigration process (e.g., file an Express Entry profile, EOI, etc.)
- Gather the documents that are needed for immigration to Canada from Hong Kong
- File your Canadian visa application once you receive the Invitation to Apply (ITA)
- Pay the governmental fees and get your medical exam
- Once you have your Canadian visa, start making preparations to move to Canada
- Emigrate from Hong Kong to Canada and start your new life!
How much money would I need to immigrate to Canada from
Hong Kong?
It generally costs several thousand Canadian dollars (CAD) to immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong, but the amount varies, depending on how many people are in your family, where you will live after you arrive, and other factors.
There are governmental fees and non-governmental expenses to pay when you emigrate from Hong Kong to Canada.
Government costs may include:
- Your Permanent Residency Application Fee = 4,884 Hong Kong Dollars (HKD)
- Your Spouse’s/Partner’s Permanent Residency Application Fee = 4,884 HKD
- Your Right of Permanent Residence Fee = 2,960 HKD
- Your Spouse’s/Partner’s Right of Permanent Residence Fee = 2,960 HKD
- Dependent Child Fee = 1,322 HKD per child
Non-government costs may include the:
- Fee for the English or French language evaluation exam
- Fee for the Education Credential Assessment (ECA)
- Translation of documents into English or French (if relevant)
- Canadian immigration services to make the process easier (if relevant)
- Transportation when you immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong
- Expenses while living in Canada (housing, food, clothes, transport, etc.)
The Canadian immigration agency reports that the minimum Proof of Funds you must show to prove you can support yourself and your family after you immigrate to Canada are:
- 1 person = 76,434 HKD
- 2 people = 95,155 HKD
- 3 people = 116,956 HKD
- 4 people = 141,991 HKD
- 5 people = 161,045 HKD
- 6 people = 181,628 HKD
- 7 people = 202,179 HKD
Note: The exchange rate was as of October 31, 2022.
Final Words
Immigration to Canada from Hong Kong has been a popular choice for many years.
The number of people who want to immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong has increased substantially since China enacted its strict security policy in June 2020.
When it comes to Canada immigration, Hong Kong residents have many options available.
The first step of the process is to determine which Canadian immigration option is best for you.
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has collaborated with authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your eligibility to immigrate to Canada from Hong Kong.
If you meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian visa program, you will have the option to receive guidance from the authorized immigration consultants who work with Canadian Visa Expert, in order to make the application process easier for you to complete correctly.
To register for your Eligibility Evaluation, click here!
Canadian Visa Expert makes the process easy and affordable!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Can Hong Kong citizens work in Canada?
Yes, Hong Kong citizens can work in Canada as Canadian permanent residents, temporary foreign workers or international students. Temporary foreign workers and students will need a valid Work Permit to work in Canada legally.
Can Hong Kong residents move to Canada?
Yes, you can move to Canada from Hong Kong if you have a Canadian permanent resident visa, temporary residence visa or study permit. In fact, around 29,000 Hong Kong residents move to Canada each year.
Where do most Hong Kongers live in Canada?
Census data shows that over 215,775 people from Hong Kong live in Canada, with the largest communities residing in Vancouver and Toronto.
Does a Hong Kong passport holder need a visa to Canada?
If you are a Hong Kong passport holder and you want to live in Canada as a temporary or permanent resident, you will need to receive the relevant Canadian visa or permit.
What are the visa options for Hong Kong Citizens?
In regards to a Canada visa, Hong Kong citizens have several options. For a Canadian permanent resident visa, there is the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, Provincial Nominee Program, Canadian Experience Class Program, Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program, Atlantic Immigration Program, Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot, Start-up Visa Program, and Family Sponsorship Program. International students from Hong Kong can apply for a Canadian Study Permit and temporary foreign workers can apply for an Employer-Specific Work Permit or an Open Work Permit. Other Canadian visa options may be available.
How long does it take to get approved for immigration to Canada from Hong Kong?
A: In general, it could take about 6-18 months to get approved for immigration to Canada from Hong Kong. The amount of time required depends on which Canadian visa program you apply for, how long it takes you to complete certain actions that are required, how long it takes the Canadian immigration officials to process your application, etc.
