As more residents of Hong Kong seek opportunities abroad, both Canada and the U.K. are implementing stricter immigration policies. The Canadian government has announced plans to gradually decrease its immigration intake over the next three years, with the target for its "Lifeboat" program set to drop to just 4,300 slots by 2027. Simultaneously, the U.K. is also contemplating tighter immigration measures.
Immigration consultants have observed that several countries previously relaxed their immigration criteria to attract talent in response to the social unrest in Hong Kong. However, as the flow of emigrants stabilizes, it is expected that these nations will no longer maintain such open policies. Experts warn that while it was once sufficient to complete a year of work to qualify, applicants may now encounter waiting lists or need to wait for next year’s quotas.
Benny Cheng, director of Goldmax Immigration International Co., noted that the U.K.’s British National Overseas (BNO) visa and Canada’s Lifeboat program have successfully facilitated emigration for many individuals. Interest in these programs remains high as 2024 approaches, but the demographics of those seeking to emigrate are shifting. There is a growing number of middle-aged applicants, moving away from the predominantly younger demographic.
Regarding return migration, Cheng indicated that fewer individuals are returning from Canada compared to other destinations. This trend is largely due to Canada’s status as a significant immigration hub, where many residents have built social networks, making it easier to integrate into local life. In contrast, the rate of return from the U.K. is higher, particularly among BNO visa holders who often migrate alone or with limited family support, making adaptation more challenging.
香港居民面臨更嚴格的移民政策，加拿大和英國收緊配額
隨著越來越多的香港居民尋求海外機會，加拿大和英國正實施更嚴格的移民政策。加拿大政府宣布計劃在未來三年逐步減少移民名額，目標在2027年前將「救生艇」計劃的名額降至僅4,300個。同時，英國也在考慮收緊移民措施。
移民顧問表示，幾個國家早前放寬了移民標準，以吸引人才，這是對香港社會動盪的回應。然而，隨著移民人數的穩定，預計這些國家不會再保持如此開放的政策。專家警告，過去只需完成一年的工作便可合資格，現在申請者可能會面臨候補名單或需要等到明年的配額。
Goldmax Immigration International Co.的董事鄭先生指出，英國的英國國民海外（BNO）簽證和加拿大的救生艇計劃已成功促進許多人移民。隨著2024年的臨近，這些計劃的興趣依然高漲，但尋求移民的人口特徵正在發生變化，越來越多的中年申請者出現，取代了以往主要是年輕人的情況。
在回流移民方面，鄭先生表示，從加拿大回流的人數少於其他目的地。這主要是因為加拿大作為重要移民中心，許多居民已建立社交網絡，更容易融入當地生活。相對而言，來自英國的回流率較高，特別是BNO簽證持有者，他們往往單獨移民或只有有限的家庭支持，使得適應變得更加困難。
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