Rich Chinese seek Canadian migration through Quebec province

Thousands of Chinese millionaires are lining up to immigrate to Canada via Quebec, attempting to sidestep the federal government's freeze on its own version of the controversial cash-for-visas scheme, new data has revealed.

But the would-be "investor migrants" could face delays of eight years or more as authorities struggle to clear a backlog of tens of thousands of applications. Once they are admitted, it is unlikely many intend to stay long in the French-speaking province - about 90 per cent of arrivals under the scheme have ended up living elsewhere.

The data was obtained by Vancouver immigration lawyer Richard Kurland under a freedom-of-information request, in the wake of Ottawa's decision to halt new applications for the federal investor migrant scheme last year. Quebec's version of the scheme remains open for business.

Kurland said it was unfair of Quebec to continue to accept thousands of applications without warning prospective migrants they faced potential delays of eight years or more. Quebec had effectively sabotaged attempts to reduce the backlog, he said.

"It's like Ottawa has built a submarine, and it's going underwater, but Quebec installed a screen door on it," said Kurland.

Under both versions of the scheme, immigrants with a net worth of at least C$1.6 million (HK$11.7 million) can buy their way into Canada by giving the government an interest-free loan of C$800,000 for a period of five years.