Canada moves up to No 2 for Hong Kong students going abroad, with easy migration pathways a major draw
- Interest in Canada shot up after news that those who study there can stay on, apply for permanent residency
- More Form Six students choosing to continue their education outside Hong Kong, survey shows
Canada has leapfrogged over Australia and the United States to become the second most popular destination after Britain for Hongkongers going overseas for higher education.
Britain was long the most popular choice, followed by Australia, the United States and Canada in that order.
But after Canada announced its new immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents last year, 6,365 Hongkongers were granted student visas there, just behind the 6,511 student visas issued by Britain.
Canada used to be the least popular of the four countries for Hongkongers heading abroad to study. Only about 2,500 were granted Canadian student visas each year from 2018 to 2020, making up about a fifth of the total student visas issued by the four countries.
The landscape was reshaped after Britain, Canada and Australia announced easier immigration pathways for Hong Kong residents following Beijing’s imposition of the national security law in June 2020, banning acts of secession, subversion, terrorism and collusion with foreign forces.
Both Canada and Australia have said those who study there may stay on and apply for permanent residence and, later, citizenship. Their dependents would also be allowed to apply for visas leading to permanent residence.
Canada’s terms were easier, as Hongkongers only needed to complete a two-year diploma course at designated postsecondary learning institutes before applying for permanent residence.
