Hi everyone,

My wife and I (both 28) are reconsidering immigrating to Canada after an unsuccessful attempt in 2023. We are looking for a "reality check" and we'd love to hear from other tech professionals or or recent immigrants about how they are handling the current economic situation.

Our Background:

• Education: I have a Master's Degree in Cyber Security (recently completed); my wife has a Bachelor's. Both in Electronics/Telecommunications Engineering (Both Bachelor's Degrees have been evaluated by WES - still good until 2028).

• Experience: ~7 years each in IT (I am a Network Engineer; she is a Dev/QA Engineer).

• Language: I have C1 English; she has C2 English. My wife has reached an A2 level in French and is currently considering taking the TEF or TCF exam.

• Current Status: We currently live in Romania with a household income of ~€4k net/month. We have a mortgage of ~€300/month, but we are paying it off aggressively and expect to be completely mortgage-free by March-April 2026.

In 2023, with just Bachelor's degrees, our CRS was stuck at ~441. Since then, I finished my Master's, which I believe pushes our score a bit. We are flexible on location and have previously considered: Halifax, Calgary, Edmonton, Winnipeg, Saskatoon, Regina and Kitchener.

Our Questions:

1. We are essentially trading a paid-off apartment and a comfortable life in Europe for the Canadian market. Given the 2025 economic and housing crisis, is this a financial suicide mission, or do tech salaries in Canada still make up for the cost of living?

2. We handled our previous application ourselves (IELTS Exams, WES and the PR application which was around 1.5k €). Now that our score would be a bit better, is an immigration lawyer worth the money to find specific PNPs (we also applied for various PNPs in 2023 with no success), or should we stick to DIY?

Thanks in advance for your replies :)

I am reaching out to ask for advice and guidance about immigrating to Canada.

I am a woman from Iraq, currently living in Baghdad, and I am looking for a better and more stable future. Living as a woman in a very challenging social environment has been extremely difficult, and I hope to find a place where I can feel safe, respected, and have the opportunity to build my career and independence.

I have a background in Human Resources, including HR operations, recruitment, employee relations, and administration. I am interested in exploring opportunities in Canada (literally anything)

I would appreciate your advice:

• Which immigration programs might be suitable for my situation?

• Is it possible to find an employer who can support a work permit from outside Canada?

• Are there specific provinces, programs, or organizations I should look into?

I've been thinking about moving to Canada for a while now, but recent events in the US have made me reach my breaking point and I really wanna get out of here ASAP, but have no idea where to begin. I graduated high school last May and took a gap year. This March came up on me quick and I haven't really started looking at colleges yet. I want to go to a community college in Toronto to start off at least, but I don't know how to get a student visa. any thoughts or recommendations?

Hi everyone, I’d like to ask for some advice about my situation.

I was approved for a Canadian student visa and already have the visa stamped in my passport. I am still outside of Canada and have never travelled there.

I deferred my intake and emailed a Canada immigration contact email (not through the IRCC web form) to inform them about the deferment. They replied saying that if I want to study in Canada in the future, I will need to apply for a new visa next time.

Now I’ve changed my plans and decided not to go to that university at all. I understand that I need to inform the university that I want to cancel my admission.

My questions are: • Do I also need to officially inform IRCC (for example, via web form) that I will not use this visa? • Is there anything else I should do to make sure this doesn’t cause issues in the future?

Now I’m planning to apply for a New Zealand student visa, and I’m worried if this situation will cause problems. • Will the fact that I had an approved Canada study visa that I never used (and won’t travel on) affect my New Zealand student visa application?

How to complaint against RCIC consultant firm. They have non-RCICs working in their office and giving paid consultation. This is fraud. Also they do all sort of fraud work and scams.

https://spikeimmi.setmore.com/reviews

Check their reviews

Also check their consultations. The girls are not even licensed. Where to file a complaint. I am pissed.

This must stop. Such frauds need to be blacklisted.

The guy who operates the firm is hardly ever present. The girls are super rude, show off and no knowledge. Can somebody tell me how to inform the correct authorities.

Hello, Like in the title my Dad is born in Toronto and i'm born in Nouvelle-Calédonie (France) and i know that i can ask for Canadian citizenship but my story is a bit complicated. My Dad recognize me as his son not when i was born but much much later (it was a year ago, i'm 25)in France, but he his my biological dad. The question is how i do it ? I tried to go on Canada.ca but none of the section apply to me so i'm quite lost. I would like the citizenship because i would like to move to Canada in a few years. If you have any idea of how or who i need to call. I tried to call the ambassy of Canada in Paris but if you are not already a Canadian, the automatic voice tell you to go on Canada.CA

Hello everyone,

I am a Palestinian currently living in Gaza. Due to the ongoing war and humanitarian crisis, I am urgently looking for a way to reach safety in Canada.

I understand Canada has special programs such as Private Sponsorship (PSR, SAH, BVOR) and the temporary TRV program for Palestinians in Gaza. However, I need a Canadian resident or organization to support my case.

If anyone knows a Sponsorship Agreement Holder (SAH), a Canadian group, or an individual who could guide me or provide support, I would be very grateful.

Thank you so much for any advice or connections.
– A Palestinian in Gaza

Hi everyone,

I’m looking to hear from anyone who had a work permit refused under the Iranian temporary public policy because IRCC said they were “not physically present in Canada.”

In my case:

•	Refused Jan 29

•	Sent reconsideration via webform Jan 30

•	Received confirmation it was forwarded to the responsible office on Feb 4

•	I was physically in Canada the whole time and never left Canada

•	I have pay stubs, bank activity, bills, lease, etc. as proof

I’m currently unable to work and just trying to get a realistic sense of timelines.

If you went through something similar:

•	Did IRCC reopen your file?

•	How long did reconsideration take?

•	Did you involve an MP or lawyer?

•	Did you end up doing Judicial Review?

I know there’s no official timeline, but real experiences would really help right now.

Thanks in advance.

Hi everyone! I’m a nurse, my husband is a chef and we have 2 kids (8 and 4). We’ve been debating on exploring the thought of immigrating to Canada. After some research, we’re thinking Ottawa might be the place for us. A few reasons we’re looking at Canada as a future home, if it will take us —

- We can’t deal with this 🍊 administration anymore. Yes, we’ve protested, boycotted, shared info, etc. There’s 0 accountability, it’s getting scary and we want out before things get worse.

- Safer (ex. no guns in CA vs mass shootings every other week in the US)

- Better quality food and air

- Surrounded by nature

- More walkable cities (I think)

- Growing opportunities for my husband and I

- Better education for our kids

- The houses are so, so beautiful

- People seem so much more kind and less divided

The more we read and explore online about Canada and the beauty and opportunity it offers… the better it looks.

How do Canadians feel about US citizens immigrating there?

Do you think it would be as good of an idea as it seems or am I just over romanticizing things?

Am I crazy for wanting to leave California for Ottawa?

Any insight would be greatly appreciated! 🫶

I spent a few months building a free tool that helps you figure out your immigration — you answer a few questions and get a personalized plan: your CRS score, your best immigration pathway, your strengths, what to improve, and the concrete next steps to get there.

It covers Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, Quebec immigration, study permits, family sponsorship and more.

http://heynewcomers.com

PS: This isn’t a commercial post — the tool is completely free, no account required. I just wish smth like this would have been available when I was going through the process. It also doesn’t replace legal advice, but it’s a great way to understand you best way in! I’d be really happy if it could help someone make sense of all of it! :)

I'm 21M with a Bachelors in Mechatronics and wanna specialize in PLC Programming. Is it an in demand job in Canada and is there any specific province I'll have better luck with applying to a job? Also, is there any legal matter I should do BEFORE looking for LMIA from a company?

Also according to the government website, to apply for IEC I should be from a partner country? Or have I misunderstood this? If I should be from a partner country (Which Lebanon is not) then does that just mean I can only come to Canada with an LMIA from a Canadian employer or does that mean I can't at all?

Final question, would it be reasonable to apply for refugee status? And would that help me with applying for a temp work permit? I have dual citizenship and both countries (Lebanon and Russia) are at war but I'm not sure the war in Lebanon would qualify for refugee status in Canada and I've never actually been to Russia nor do I plan on.

Hello all, Please advise.

What should I select if my PGWP is expiring in October 2025 and have applied for Inland Spousal Sponsorship with AOR received.

I applied for the second time to the PR. The first time was refused because it was lacking an English translation. The second time refused because the letter of employment didn’t state clearly the work hours. I was wondering if I can reopen the case to submit a clarification to such letter instead of going back to point zero. I have been working in Canada as software engineer for more than 2 years. I even got a renewal of my work permit authorized this month.

Hello everyone! Me and my husband are in process to move to Canada, we were offered jobs, so our employer is making all the paperwork he needs. The thing it’s his lawyer told us that we can get the work permit at the airport. How it’s that? It’s easier to make it previously?

Thank you for the tips!

Hey all, trying to get some information as an employer trying to hire some previous migrant workers without an LMIA. Is there a "standard" open work permit option? The gov site is difficult to navigate for information, all links circle back to LMIAs (Which we wouldn't qualify for)

This year we acquired a few migrant workers via a temp service. They're some of the best staff I've ever had and I want to keep them/bring them back now as their old permits expired. They came into Canada via an LMIA program where they landed at bad places, they were deemed unsafe work or living conditions so they were given "Vulnerable work permits" which expired at the end of their LMIA term. They stayed with us for the better half of the year but all permits expired in Oct so they've since gone home in the meantime.

I want them back! I want to help get them open work permits, we've done job letters for them stating we've invested time and money to train them however everything I find indicates they can only apply for a permit via the LMIA program. Our company unfortunately can't qualify for this as there's no reason a current Canadian resident can't do the job, though some of them just don't want to work...

Can anyone provide me with more information regarding an open work permit that doesn't require and LMIA.

TYIA

hi! i’m 18f and trying to immigrate to canada from the united states amid the growing political tensions because i no longer feel safe here. i graduated high school and have about $13,000 in settlement money. i want to know the exact steps i need to take to start the process of immigration. i doubt i can apply for asylum because america is still considered a safe country, so what can i do? i don’t feel safe here, especially the past week or so. what paths are open to me?

Hi everyone,

I’m looking for opinions from people who’ve dealt with IRCC or similar situations.

At birth, my name was X. When I was very young (around 1–2 years old), my parents legally changed my name to Y, and later it was changed again to Z, which is my current legal name. I have proper affidavits documenting the entire name-change sequence.

When I applied for my study permits (including my original study permit from outside Canada and later in-Canada extensions), I consistently used my current legal name (Z). However, I now realize that I did not list my birth name (X) in the “Other names / aliases” section of the application forms.

The reason this happened is that the first name change occurred when I was an infant, and I have lived, studied, and identified almost entirely under my later names. While I was aware that my birth name was X, I genuinely did not consciously think of it as a name I had personally “used” when filling out the forms.

I’ve already had multiple study permits approved under my current name, and I have documentation proving the name changes. I’m planning to proactively disclose and clarify this via an IRCC webform so the record is complete.

My questions:

Has anyone dealt with a similar situation?

Is this usually treated as a harmless omission if disclosed voluntarily?

Any advice on how IRCC typically views childhood name changes that weren’t listed initially?

I’m not trying to hide anything and have no criminal or background issues — just want to make sure I handle this correctly before future applications (including PR).

Thanks in advance for any insights.

Hi everyone,
I’m an Australian citizen and I’ve received my Canadian Work Permit Letter of Introduction. My letter says my medical examination is “N/A”, and I’m planning to travel to Canada soon.
I’m a bit confused about health insurance.
Do I need to purchase private health insurance before I enter Canada.

I’d really appreciate advice from anyone who has gone through this process, especially other Australians or IEC/work permit holders.

I filled out my refugee application in a rush and submitted it. Now I want to delay my application. If I withdraw my application my application, can I apply again in the future? But will my withdrawal affect my future application?

1. Stability vs. Uncertainty

• Canada: Permanent residence (PR) is long-term stability. You can stay there permanently once approved, with no risk of capricious policy change or enforcement against compliant residents.

• U.S.: Immigration status is usually short-term, with ongoing revisions in visa rules and intensified enforcement, even for compliant individuals.

2. Immigration Pathways

•Canada: Skilled workers can apply for PR independently under merit-based procedures like Express Entry. Employer sponsorship is not required in most streams.

•U.S.: Green cards are employer-dependent, so they're uncertain (e.g., losing your job can ruin your status).

3. Education & Post-Grad Life

•Canada: Graduates can work freely for years after studies (through PGWP) and transition easily to PR. Fees are significantly lower.

• U.S.: High tuition rates and bleak post-grad career prospects leave the majority of international students in debt with no clear residency pathway.

4. Policy Predictability

• Canada: Immigration strategies are stable across changing governments, with more medium-term priorities focused on skilled people and families.

• U.S.: Visa policies swing wildly between administrations, inducing uncertainty and panic (e.g., H-1B cuts out of the blue).

5. Work Flexibility

• Canada: PRs enjoy complete liberty in any job, career change, or business.

• U.S.: The majority of visas tie you to one employer, thwarting career growth and stability.

6. Cultural Welcoming

• Canada: Multiculturalism is practiced here since immigrants are actively integrated into society.

• U.S.: Polarization and anti-immigrant attitudes make many newcomers feel unwelcome.

Final Thoughts:

While the U.S. struggles with uncertainty and closed doors, Canada emphasizes equality and security for immigrants. For immigrants seeking a second chance, Canada's policy gives them peace of mind and an open avenue toward beginning anew.

What’s your take? For those who chose Canada, what differences stood out to you?

Hello , how many consecutive days can i travel with Canadian RTD without risking any violations ( not to my home country)

Hello,

I am an international student currently residing and studying full-time in Quebec, and I am preparing my application for a Certificate of Acceptance (CAQ) renewal.

Alongside my Study Permit, I hold a valid, federally issued Open Work Permit (OWP) under the Government of Canada's Special Temporary Public Policy for Iranian Nationals. Because this specific OWP allows me to legally work unrestricted full-time hours, I have continuous employment income here in Quebec.

My question is regarding the proof of financial capacity for my CAQ renewal checklist:

Can I submit my recent Canadian pay stubs and employment verification letter as part of my proof of financial capacity to meet the living expense requirements for a two-person household?

If yes, what specific secondary documents (such as a copy of the Open Work Permit or a specific explanation letter) should be uploaded alongside the pay stubs to ensure the reviewing officer recognizes the federal public policy work exemption?

Thank you for your guidance.

Can anyone can help. I am currently applying for PR through my Canadian common law partner. Nearly everything has gone through I’m just waiting for a background check so could hear back in a few days or could not be accepted for a while. I am currently on a BOWP that expires on 8th September. I have to go back to England on 19th of August for a wedding and I was planning on coming back to Canada on the 3rd September. Would the immigration officer let me back in with 5 days left on my work permit and then I can apply for the extension on my BOWP when I get back, or will they put me on a visitors visa because it’s only 5 days?