x
(403) 452-9515
Ackah Business Immigration Law – Personal and Corporate Immigration
Contact us

Contact Information

1 (403) 452-9515

1 (800) 932-1190

Book a Consultation

More Options...

How Hong Kong Residents Can Move To Canada

Blog posted on by Evelyn Ackah in Business Immigration to Canada, Entrepreneurs and Hong Kong Immigration

How Hong Kong Residents Can Move To Canada

China’s parliament passed a national security law for Hong Kong. Many Hong Kong residents may want to emigrate, and there are calls for Canada to liberalize its immigration policy for Chinese in Hong Kong. There are already more than 300,000 Canadian passport holders in Hong Kong, and immigration experts expect that many Hong Kong families will send their children to be educated in Canada as an opportunity to permanently immigrate.

How Hong Kong Residents Can Start a Business In Canada

During the global pandemic, Canada's federal government invested heavily with an $82-billion emergency economic stimulus package to support businesses affected by the global crisis and provide benefits to Canadian workers impacted by COVID, including

  • wage subsidies to protect jobs
  • employment insurance for workers including the self-employed and contractors
  • coronavirus emergency relief benefits
  • increased child benefits
  • tax deferrals
  • keeping essential commerce and trade travel open

Canada Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said:

We will be able to make sure our economy gets back up to speed very quickly.

How To Become a Foreign Business Owner In Canada

In many situations, you do not need to be a Canadian resident to open a business in Canada. But if you plan to set up a business or work at your new Canadian branch, a Hong Kong business owner will need to apply to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) for an immigration temporary work permit or business visa, depending on your exact situation.

There is more than one way for a Hong Kong resident to have a business in Canada:

  • open a new business
  • open a branch location
  • buy an existing business
  • invest in an existing business
  • hire Canadian workers to work remotely
  • outsource work to Canadian companies, aka nearshoring or nearsourcing
  • transfer existing employees to Canada

Canada Welcomes Hong Kong Business and Immigrant Entrepreneurs

Canada has made it very clear that we welcome immigrant entrepreneurs. Foreign entrepreneurs who want to move to Canada and start a business can apply to immigrate under the start-up visa program or a program for self-employed persons. Canada is divided into 3 territories and 10 provinces. The Canadian government and local provinces have put in place policies, programs and financial resources to recruit and attract skilled, educated immigrants to offset Canada's aging population, help grow the economy and create new jobs for Canadians. Business owners who want to live in Canada and open a Canadian branch can apply for Permanent Residence status and subsequently Canadian Citizenship.

Canada's Intra-Company Transfer (ICT) program allows key staff members of a foreign business to travel to Canada on a temporary basis to open a new office and start their business. An executive or managerial employee or an employee with specialized knowledge can receive a temporary work permit to get the office up and running if the business meets all the applicable requirements.

Canada has federal, province and local programs, policies and financial resources in place that encourage foreign businesses to invest in Canada. The requirements to open a business or a branch office are different for each territory. There are also many licenses, permits, regulations and rules to follow as well as decisions and choices to be made and fees to be paid. An experienced business immigration lawyer can help you understand and navigate the process - save you time and money.

How Hong Kong Residents Can Open A Branch Office in Canada

Opening a branch office in Canada is typically a less expensive alternative to opening a new business in Canada. There is no single "best way" for a Hong Kong resident to open a business in Canada. It depends on many factors including the type of business, the amount of money you can invest, if you are already in Canada, if there are already competing businesses in Canada, what part of the country you want to operate in, etc.

A Canada business immigration lawyer can help you:

  • pursue the best immigration options to meet your specific needs and goals
  • identify any potential roadblocks
  • troubleshoot and prevent delays at the border
  • advise you on immigration compliance regulations
  • manage you and your team's immigration application process

A Hong Kong entrepreneur or business owner that wants to open an affiliate or branch office in Canada needs to register the business with the local government in each Canadian territory where it will have operations. There are many advantages to opening a branch office in Canada:

1. Canada has tax treaties with many countries so that businesses are not subject to double taxation.

2. Foreign branches are entitled to many of the same rights as a Canadian-owned corporation, such as limited liability.

3. A branch's activities are overseen by the parent company.

Are You A Hong Kong Business Owner Who Wants to Expand to Canada?

Consult a Canada immigration professional BEFORE you cross the border if you are considering opening a branch location, starting a new business, or nearshoring to Canada. You need to have the right information and resources to prevent costly business decisions.

About Ackah Law
At Ackah Business Immigration Law, our goal is to make Crossing Borders Seamlessly a reality and to smooth your way to new opportunities in Canada.

Evelyn L. Ackah is the founder and managing lawyer at Ackah Business Immigration Law and has exclusively practiced immigration law for over 20 years. Ackah Law is headquartered in Calgary with offices in Vancouver and Toronto. Contact Ackah Law today at (403) 452-9515 Ext. 100 or 1-800-932-1190 or email us directly at contact@ackahlaw.com.

Read More:


Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Founder/Managing Lawyer

Ms. Ackah is passionate about immigration law because it focuses on people and relationships, which are at the core of her personal values. Starting her legal career as a corporate/commercial ...

More About Evelyn L. Ackah, BA, LL.B.

Canada's New Pilot Program to Fast-Track Hiring Temporary Foreign Workers: Recognized Employer Pilot (REP)

Canadian business owners who have a history of hiring Temporary Foreign Workers will welcome the new fast-track, streamlined pilot program Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship ...

Read More

E Visa Requirements for Canadian Citizens

E visas, also known as Treaty Investor Visas, are available for Canadian investors and entrepreneurs who want to expand their business into the United States. To qualify for an E visa, ...

Read More

5 Fastest Ways For Employers To Bring Foreign Workers To Canada

Canada is a country with a growing economy and a strong demand for skilled workers. As a result, the Canadian government has made it relatively easy for employers to bring foreign workers ...

Read More

How To Move Your Business to Canada

Canada presents an attractive destination for foreign business owners who want to expand and move their business to Canada. The country offers a number of advantages that can help ...

Read More

Help for Entrepreneurs Who Want to Move to Canada to Open a Business in 2023

Canada is a great place to start a business. The country has a strong economy, a skilled workforce, and a welcoming attitude toward immigrants. If you're an entrepreneur who wants ...

Read More

Immigrating To Canada As An Entrepreneur With Guest Expert Calgary Immigration Lawyer Evelyn Ackah

Discover how you can make your entrepreneurial dreams a reality in Canada by checking out this exclusive LinkedIn Live session by David Barnett with guest expert Calgary immigration ...

Read More

Ackah Business Immigration Law took care of everything. A friendly, knowledgeable and efficient team with impeccable attention to detail

– Nikki Barczewska

View All Testimonials