‘Fast track to PR’ helps Canada become top choice of Hong Kong students heading overseas for higher studies
- Nearly 8,100 Hongkongers issued study permits for higher education in Canada from January to September this year
- Canada leapfrogs over Britain, Australia and US in race to attract those considering emigration
Canada has surpassed Britain for the first time as the most popular destination for Hongkongers going overseas for higher education, according to latest figures.
The change occurred after Canada introduced a tailor-made scheme last year, offering permanent residence to Hongkongers who have completed a two-year diploma course, a degree programme at any level or a one-year postgraduate course at designated postsecondary learning institutes there.
Canadian government data showed that nearly 8,100 Hongkongers were issued study permits for higher education from January to September this year.
Nearly 3,000 of them were granted student visas in August alone, ahead of the new academic year. That was not only a record for a single month, but also exceeded the annual total for the years before 2021.
The record number from January to September jumped more than four times compared with the same period in 2020.
Britain has traditionally topped the list of four popular overseas destinations for Hong Kong students, the others being Australia, the United States and Canada.
After Beijing introduced the national security law in Hong Kong in 2020, Britain, Australia and Canada announced new migration pathways for residents who wanted to leave, sparking a wave of emigration.