Helpful Tips and Costs for Intending Hong Kong Students and Immigrants to The Five Eyes Countries

A British National Overseas passport (BNO) and a Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China passport are seen in Hong Kong, on Jan. 29, 2021. (Kin Cheung/AP Photo)

Overseas study has always been popular for Hong Kong students who want to enter higher education. Some countries have implemented “lifeboat” and “safe haven” programs recently and provided Hong Kong students with more favorable conditions for immigration and even naturalization.

The following summarizes information on the tuition, living expenses, and naturalization requirements for Hong Kong students’ five most popular destinations: New Zealand, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and the United States.

Tuition, and estimates of living expenses, emigration, and naturalization summary for New Zealand, UK. Canada, Australia, and the U.S. are listed below as a general guide.

Table showing the estimated expenses and years associated with immigration to the Five Eyes Countries from Hong Kong. (The Epoch Times)

New Zealand

New Zealand has recently relaxed entry restrictions and re-opened applications for student visas. A university education in New Zealand normally lasts three years, and the tuition fee is about HK$430,000 (approximately US$55,000). Adding living expenses, the total cost is about HK$840,000 ($107,500). Student needs to have at least HK$100,000 ($12,800) or equivalent to show they can support the first year’s tuition and living expenses before obtaining the visa.

If a student would like to obtain a permanent residency after, they must undergo evaluation by the local authorities on education, work experience, age, and the like. If the student obtains a bachelor’s degree from a local university, they can apply directly and obtain permanent residency through the “Independent Skilled Migrant Visa” pathway. It takes three years to complete the residency requirement. If you do not meet the conditions for an independent skilled migrant visa, you can apply for a temporary work visa after graduation and then apply for permanent residence after working in New Zealand for two years.

After holding permanent residence status for five years, as long as the following conditions are met, you can apply for naturalization in New Zealand:

• Have lived in New Zealand for eight months in each of the past five years
• No criminal record in the past three years
• Have not been in prison for the past seven years
• Have not been sentenced to imprisonment for five years or more

According to a report issued by the New Zealand government, the annual tuition fee for international students to enroll in a university is about HK$144,000 ($18,400). Based on school accommodation with meals, the annual cost is about HK$120,000 ($15,400). Miscellaneous expenses (entertainment and communication) could amount to another HK$15,000 ($2,000) a year.

Oxford University in Oxford, United Kingdom, on Sept. 20, 2016. (Carl Court/Getty Images)

United Kingdom

British immigration policy has always given a path for Hong Kongers to settle. Most university curricula in the U.K. take three years (except for medical and other specialty disciplines), but the tuition fee is not on par with local students, even for British National (Overseas) (BNO) passport holders. They have to pay a higher international students tuition fee. The total tuition fee for a normal three-year course is about HK$620,000 ($80,000). With living expenses, the total cost could be about HK$990,000 ($127,000).

It takes approximately six years for a BNO visa holder to obtain permanent residency through studying and eight years for non-BNO visa holders.

BNO holders can apply for U.K. permanent residency after staying in the country for five years and not leaving the U.K. for more than 180 days during each of the five years.

Non-BNO holders can apply for a Post-study Work Visa after graduation and then renew under the General Work Visa (Tier 2). That allows for permanent residency after living there for five years.

For Hongkongers born after 1997, the U.K. government has further relaxed the “lifeboat” scheme since October 2022. It stipulates that as long as either parent has BNO status, the children can apply for a BNO visa to settle in the UK.

Students play baseball in front of Convocation Hall at the University of Toronto. Canada’s education system needs dramatic change to meet the needs of the future, argues Stephen Murgatroyd. (Matthew Little/The Epoch Times)

Canada

Canadian universities have a four-year academic curriculum (except for medical and other specialty disciplines). The total tuition fee for the four years is about HKD$800,000 ($102,000), and after adding all other living expenses, the total cost is about HK$1.18 million ($230,000).

Canada has a “Lifeboat” program for Hong Kong people, which is applicable to those who hold Hong Kong passports or BNOs. It provides more convenient immigration pathways for Hong Kong people to Canadian university graduates (Stream A) and work (Stream B) in Canada to obtain permanent residency. (See the Canadian government website for more details)

To obtain permanent residence and naturalization through Stream B, the applicant must graduate from a Canadian or overseas university within the past five years and apply for an OWP (Open Work Permit) visa. The deadline for applying for an OWP visa is Feb. 7, 2023.

Stream A (study immigration):

• Currently living in Canada
• Graduated from a Canadian higher education institution within the last three years (bachelor, master, or above)
• ILET score of 6.5 or above
• At least 50 percent of the program is completed within Canada
• Intend to live outside of Quebec, Canada.

Stream B (work immigration):

• Applicable to those who graduated in July 2023 or earlier
• Currently living in Canada
• Graduated from a Canadian or overseas higher education institution within the last five years (ditto)
• At least one-year full-time work experience in Canada, or equivalent (1,560 hours) of part-time work experience in the past three years
• Intend to live outside of Quebec, Canada.

A permanent resident can be naturalized in Canada if the following requirements are met:

• Pass the Canadian Citizenship Test
• Have lived in Canada for three consecutive years (1,095 days) within the past five years
• Have filed a tax return in Canada for income made in the country
• Proof of a certain level of proficiency in English or French

Figures from Statistics Canada show that the annual tuition fee for international students entering Canadian universities is about HK$200,000 ($26,000). And according to the report of QS Top universities, the annual university accommodation fee is about HK$31,000 ($4,000). In Canada, international students also need to contribute to healthcare insurance, which is about HK$4,000 ($512). According to the statistics of Studying-in-Canada, an information website for further studies, the annual living expenses of international students are about HK$60,000 ($7,700) per year.

A general view of Sydney University campus in Sydney, Australia, on April 6, 2016. (Brendon Thorne/Getty Images)

Australia

Australia has recently proposed a “safe haven” policy for Hong Kong people. The academic system of Australian universities is on a three-year curriculum (except for medical and other specialty disciplines). The total tuition fee for a three-year course is about HK$530,000 ($70,000); after adding the living expenses, the total cost is about HK$956,000 ($123,000)

Hong Kong people wishing to immigrate by studying in Australia need to fulfill the following requirements to obtain permanent residency:

• Complete your studies in Australia
• Obtain a Temporary Graduate Visa
• Live in Australia for four years
• Apply for an “Independent Skilled Migration Visa” for permanent residence through the Hong Kong Stream (pathway).

A permanent resident can be naturalized in Australia if the following requirements are met:

• Must have lived in Australia for five years, one of which must be after obtaining permanent residency
• Have not been abroad for more than 90 days in the 12 months preceding application for naturalization
• Pass the Australian Citizenship Test
• Be of good character.

According to a report Living and Education Costs in Australia, issued by the Australian authorities in 2022, the annual tuition fee for international students enrolled in Australian universities is about HK$176,000 ($23,000). The annual accommodation is about HK$90,000 ($11,500), and additional living expenses are about HK$52,000 ($6,700) per year.

A general view of Harvard University campus in Cambridge, Mass. on April 22, 2020/(Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The United States

The university system in the United States normally runs on a four-year curriculum, and the total tuition fee is about HK$860,000 ($110,000). The total cost of living expenses is about HK$1.45 million ($186,000).

Student visas are not eligible for permanent residency. Hongkongers who want to immigrate to the United States can consider the skilled migration pathway:

• Possess a bachelor’s degree or above (professional knowledge)
• Hired by an employer (employment) and apply for the H-1B visa (renewed annually) or an EB-3 visa
• For the H-1B visa, one can apply to become a permanent resident of the United States (green card) after holding it for four years
• After successfully applying for the EB-3 visa, you can submit a green card application
• After holding a green card, there are additional requirements to fulfill before becoming a U.S. citizen (see below)
• Naturalization through investment and other pluralistic pathways can also be considered
• Pass the English proficiency test.

To become a U.S. citizen, you need to meet the following additional requirements:

• Live in the United States continuously for five years after becoming a permanent resident
• Pass the naturalization test
• Are of good conduct
• Love America and support the U.S. Constitution

According to a report released May 27, 2022, by the Education Data Initiative, an information research organization, the annual tuition fee for international students as a freshman in an American university is about HK$215,700 ($27,600). The annual cost of board and lodging is about HK$87,000 ($11,200), and other annual miscellaneous expenses are about HK$39,000 ($5,000). Note that studying in the United States requires medical insurance coverage every year. According to a Forbes report, the average cost of the American student medical insurance plan is HK$22,700 ($2,900) per academic year.

Due to annual price and exchange rate fluctuations, the above data are for reference only. It is recommended that international students reserve sufficient funds before departure to meet daily needs and emergencies.

In addition, even though several countries have launched preferential policies for Hong Kong residents, the local government may update or terminate the plan in the future, so one still needs to pay attention to the latest local government announcements and plan one’s path of further education and naturalization with caution, and pick the most appropriate plan for yourself.

The above is for general informational purposes only and should not be construed or interpreted as a recommendation or solicitation. The Epoch Times does not provide investment, tax, legal, financial planning, estate planning, or any other personal finance advice. The Epoch Times holds no liability for the accuracy or timeliness of the information provided.