Last Updated on November 16, 2018

September 12, 2018 – Canada Immigration from Hong Kong has seen a sharp increase in recent years, with the number of visas issued in the territory eclipsing the U.S. for the first time in 2017.

Young people from Hong Kong are ditching the high pressure, big city life preferred by their parents in search of something different.

Numbers looking to leave were at a three-year high in 2017, with Canada among the top target destinations.

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Candidates with existing family ties should consider Canada’s Family Sponsorship immigration program.

Otherwise, achieving Canada Immigration from Hong Kong can be done in a number of ways, including:

1. Direct federal skilled worker application for permanent residence.
2. Apply through a provincial immigration program.
3. Start with a temporary work permit, before transitioning to PR.
4. Come to Canada as an international student.
5. Apply through an investment immigration program.
6. Apply through one of Quebec’s immigration programs. 

Canada manages its economic immigration intake through Express Entry.

Under Express Entry, qualifying candidates are issued with Invitations to Apply (ITAs) to one of Canada’s economic immigration programs: 

• Federal Skilled Worker
• Federal Skilled Trades
• Canada Experience Class
• Certain provincial immigration streams

Candidates submit an Expression of Interest profile, which is given a score and entered into the Express Entry Pool.

Candidates score Comprehensive Ranking System points for core factors such as age, education, work experience and language ability. 

There are also points available for a provincial nomination and a qualified job offer.

The highest scoring candidates are issued ITAs through periodic draws.

What Is the Express Entry Process?

1. Submit profile and enter Express Entry Pool.
2. Get issued an Invitation to Apply if you meet minimum points requirement.
3. Submit an application in 60 days.
4. Get a decision in target processing time of six months.
5. If successful, move to Canada.

For those who meet the requirements, Express Entry is a fast way to achieve Canada immigration, with target processing times of six months once the full application is received.

If you do not qualify through a federal economic program, the next step is to consider provincial streams.

Each one of Canada’s provinces runs their own immigration programs, targeting the specific demands of local labour markets.

If you have a specific skill, there could be a provincial stream waiting to accept you.

What Are Canada’s Provincial Programs?

• Ontario Immigration
• Quebec Immigration
• Alberta Immigration
• British Columbia Immigration
• Manitoba Immigration
• New Brunswick Immigration
• Newfoundland Immigration
• Nova Scotia Immigration
• Saskatchewan Immigration
• Prince Edward Island Immigration

Increasingly, immigrants are coming to Canada as temporary residents and transitioning to permanent residents.

This is a popular route for candidates who do not immediately qualify for permanent residence.

Time spent in Canada as a temporary resident counts towards a permanent residence application and even Canadian citizenship.

Work permits are issued through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, International Mobility Program and International Experience Canada Program.

Caregivers also have their own streams for work permits (under the TFWP) and transition to permanent residence.

The Canada immigration system is set up to attract international students with the ambition to graduate from a Canadian school and build a life here.

Candidates initially come in on a Student Visa, which can allow them to live, study and work in Canada.

On graduate, a candidate may qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit, allowing them to begin their working lives here.

The time spent in Canada as a student and on the PGWP then counts towards an application for permanent residence. 

Under Express Entry there are specific points for candidates who have graduation from Canadian school. These are on top of the core education points available.

Education achievedPoints available1 or 2 years post-secondary education in Canada153 or more years post-secondary, Master or PhD30

Once permanent residence is achieved, recent changes to the Canada Citizenship Act have made it easier to get full citizenship.

Canada operate several investment immigration programs for wealthy candidates looking to move here.

This could be the way to go if you are struggling to qualify through an economic program.

Candidates should consider Buy a Business and Move To Canada.

It is not a formal immigration program, but a work permit issued under the federal Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP). There is no annual quota on the number of work-permits that can be issued.

Other federal investment programs include:

Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program

The Immigrant Investor Venture Capital Pilot Program was introduced to replace the Canada Immigrant Investor Program, but has failed to take hold.

Requirements include a personal bet worth of $10 million and a $2 million investment to be held for 15 years.

Start-Up Visa Program

The Start-Up Visa Program was established in 2013 and grants permanent residence and work permits to qualified immigrant entrepreneurs.

The program aims to recruit entrepreneurs and link them with private sector businesses in Canada

After less than one year in Canada, candidates and their families can transition to permanent residence.

Quebec is the only Canadian province with full autonomy over its immigration system, setting its own immigration levels and managing its own programs.

The French-speaking province is about to launch an Expression of Interest system called Arrima, which will work in a similar way to the federal Express Entry system.

Quebec also runs the popular Quebec Immigrant Investor Program. It is the only passive investment immigration program that leads to Canadian permanent residence.

Quebec Investor: 2018 Primary Requirements

• Legally acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
• Two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;
• Investment of $1.2 million into a passive government guaranteed investment for a period of five years bearing no interest;
• Intend to settle in the province of Quebec.

Quebec also runs Immigrant Entrepreneur and Self-Employed programs.

Candidates looking to immigrate to Canada from the UAE should also consider the Buy a Business and Move to Canada Program.

Federal owner-operator rules allow a candidate to buy a business and move to Canada on a temporary work permit, before transitioning to permanent residence further down the line.

Under this policy a work permit is issued following the sale and transfer of the majority share ownership of an existing profitable Canadian business to the immigration candidate.

Interested employers: Kindly contact us here to receive further information.

Interested candidates: Find out whether you qualify to Canada by completing our free on-line evaluation. We will provide you with our evaluation within 1-2 business days.

Read more news about Canada Immigration by clicking here.

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