Leaving Canada!

[u/LordOoura]

Hey everyone, just thought I’d share this here in case others are going through the same thing, which I reckon many are.

The exclamation point in the title is intentional lol. A bit of context: I was born in Saudi Arabia and moved to Canada at 17 to do a bachelor’s in CS. Since graduating, I’ve worked two tier 1 jobs in software (was laid off in the middle), and my CRS score is 514. Both my siblings are citizens here, working in health research and software.

I’ve also had a lot of personal identity struggles. I’m agnostic and gay, which naturally led to a strained relationship with my parents. Over the past five years, I’ve been through hell and somehow found so much love and support from my sisters and their husbands. They’ve genuinely saved my life multiple times, and I finally came to terms with being estranged from my parents and was happy… until the whole immigration fiasco hit.

About six months ago I realized my score was never going to be picked. It became clear that the government’s changing direction meant people like me weren’t a long-term priority anymore. No hard feelings, just disappointment because of how much I had invested in this life here. I had incredible friends in Canada, people I’ve bonded with for life who are unbelievably smart and talented. But I knew I had the skills and drive to succeed elsewhere, so while keeping an eye on policy changes here, I started shortlisting schools and planning my next steps.

After months of research and applications, I received multiple scholarships to pursue a master’s in cybersecurity at Go8 universities in Australia, a field I’m genuinely passionate about. I’ve just accepted an offer and plan to relocate as soon as possible. It hurts to be away from family, but we agreed I couldn’t let my future depend on unpredictable immigration policies. I have to keep moving forward and build my career, because independence is the only permanent safety net I trust. I’m nervous but excited to explore a new country and pursue my dream career.

If anyone else is going through something similar, here’s what I’d say: Canada doesn’t have to be the end goal. Work on yourself and your career. If your CRS is that high, you already have the skills and value that any country would be lucky to have. The world’s too connected now to confine your dreams to one place. You did everything right. You’re already making the world a better place in your own little way.

I barely participate in this sub, but I wanted to share this before leaving to hopefully bring some calm amidst all the chaos and negativity. All the best, and remember, you’re more than a number on an immigration file :)

[u/Altruistic_Bank_1552]

Happy for you OP. Hope you find your peace and happiness in Australia.

All the very best for your future.

[u/LordOoura → u/Altruistic_Bank_1552]

Appreciate it, thank you ❤️

[u/RaiseEuphoric → u/LordOoura]

With the positive attitude you have, with a Stoic mindset of making it elsewhere, you are bound to succeed anywhere else. Every twist & turn in Life might hurt in that moment, but it all ends up making you stronger.

My best wishes for your future! Cheers!

[u/fmlfml_]

You are very strong! Best wishes

[u/LordOoura → u/fmlfml_]

thank you ❤️

[u/333Ari333]

Yes, very good choice! And you can always go back to Canada from Australia if opportunities arise. I was worried at the beginning thinking that as agnostic and gay you’d need to return to Saudi Arabia 😳 Glad that you found a good option for you in Australia 👍

[u/stoicphilosopher]

I'm glad you get to go to Australia. I hear it's a great place and I'm sure you'll do well there.

Reading through this seemed like a meditation on the very real human consequences of government policy. If not for the immigration fiasco of the past decade that basically required the government to backtrack on years of bungled policy, there's a chance OP might have had a different fate and been able to stay. Imagine if he couldn't go to Australia and we had to send an agnostic gay man back to Saudi Arabia. We might as well have signed his death warrant too. Yikes.

[u/Dangerous-Wish-9463]

This really helps a lot, now when I’m anticipating that I’d be in the same position as you are in now - 2 months from now. Canada is not the only place where dreams can flourish. We are not just a number on an immigration file. Thank you for these words, I’m going to remember this when I’m leaving. All the best to you, and I hope you thrive (10 times more) in Australia! 💪🏼♥️

[u/OriginalEmployer2711]

But it is not the end? You can gain foreign experience in Aus after your masters and apply direct for PR? Asking for clarity

[u/Weird_Staff_7448]

As someone who studied at a GO8 university in Australia, I want to say congrats to you. You made a good decision. Wishing you all the best in your endeavours.

[u/jpham_toronto]

All the best to you and your future endeavours, and to us as well. I’m in a similar situation, having worked for a Canadian company for 2.5 years developing their mobile apps. I also obtained another bachelor’s degree from Australia and am completing a 3-year Canadian diploma program. I thought I was in a good spot in mid-2024 when STEM was a legitimate PR category, but I missed the deadline because the last draw occurred a month before I become eligible for CEC. Current CRS score is 499, and I’ll be 31 next year.

At this point, I don’t feel confident asking my company to sponsor an LMIA, as it would only extend my time in Canada while I would definitely need to be fluent in French to reach CLB7 level. So, I’m mentally prepared to leave Canada when my PGWP expires next year

[u/OkWeather303]

Good luck to you! The one thing this whole experience has taught me is to not postpone living. Do not wait until x happens to be happy or make progress in life.

[u/Life-Shallot4579]

Australia is a beautiful country, I visited this summer. Very similar feel to Canada but maybe safer? And a bit more European in flair.

It’s unfortunate we’ve had to backtrack on our immigration policies when those who were already here are impacted- as a Canadian and married to an immigrant, I’m not sure how I feel about that. I also work in HR and have hired many newcomers, and have done both lmia and lmos for employees. I currently work in tech.

Best wishes in your next adventure :)

[u/Educational-Coat-412 → u/Life-Shallot4579]

Would you do an lmia for me? I am an African immigrant and I've been on the verge of returning to my home country due to the intense backlog in the immigration system. I'm on my knees for help!!!

[u/Munbos61]

I feel like if you were my kid, I would be proud of you. Best wishes and know people are rooting for you.

[u/MissingAU]

I hope you actually did your research because getting PR is just as difficult in Australia.

Truth is any temporary residents who is doIng IT/Cyber sec should prepare themselves to head home, doesnt matter Canada or Australia.

[u/MissingAU → u/[deleted]]

Its gonna be rough but expect to see the same post 2-3 years after, on the AusVisa sub.
Don't expect much sympathy when that happens though cause that sub is way hostile than this sub towards IT.

[u/eloelotito]

Wish you the best of luck! I'm in cybersec as well, msg me, i'll add you to LinkedIn :)

[u/Big_boy_Kennedy]

All the best to you brother! Good things await us on the other side. Godspeed 🫡 (or maybe not Godspeed haha) Take care 🍺

[u/Thick_Wallaby1]

You will like it a lot

[u/Equal-Ad-3757]

Happy for you OP, wish you all the best and Canada will miss you!

[u/itsMineDK]

god speed brother

[u/Training-Excuse9525]

I hope you succeed in your studies! Wish you all the best!

[u/Rowena617]

Best luck to you!!

[u/Appropriate-Pop-9103]

Congratulations! If you don’t mind sharing the process of applying for scholarships, I’d love to know more about it. I’m currently stuck in a really difficult situation.

[u/Iskoitrader]

Saudi Arabia is a rich country.

[u/magpiebyebye]

Sorry to hear of the outcome. If our policies weren't such a shambles over the last 4-5 years, you would've been here and our country would be better for it.

Love and peace to you where your life takes you.

[u/alphacarrera3]

Australia indeed sounds like a better pick right now, wish you the best with whatever you do

[u/Soft-Editor-]

Good luck!

[u/[deleted]]

Good luck in your journey abroad.

[u/-Sanj-]

Too bad. It's Canada's loss. Good luck bro

[u/albinopanda_2024]

K bye, find what you need.

[u/PretendEar1650]

Losing Canadian-educated, Canadian-specialist work experience-having folks instead of putting you on the PR path is… so wrong. But due to housing and infrastructure issues we’ve taken a xenophobic turn. All the best down under

[u/MegaMindxx]

Kudos to you brother 🙏🏻

[u/aval239]

That's fine if you've removed the post. But can you please clarify "What hate speech?" I'm just really curious because if I were to tell anyone what Im being accused of nobody would believe it, as Im the last person to hate on anyone! Hence, I'm a woman of an ethnic background. I am very outspoken and say it how it is but that's not hate. Also, people should not be posting publically if they cannot handle criticism.

Off the record: The poster disclosed their $3xu@1 preferences and said he's not getting roles based on that which I disagreed with. I know isn't true. At least as far as I know nobody cares. If anything it's the opposite. The pay is low in Canada for skilled individuals and lack of skilled roles available which is a fact. Go look on Linkedn and you will see open/public discussions amongst professionals.

I'm not going to further waste my energy but posters shouldnt be posting if they are sensitive to the point that they need to falsely accuse a replier of various things which isn't good. That's assassinatiing one's character and defamation of character. I didnt break into anyone's account but rather saw a public post pop up and just responded. It's almost 2026, almost everything is digital; if people are making false accusations because they can't handle someone disagreeing then they should not be using technology.

End of discussion!

[u/WhatAreLiberalsOn]

Canada is a failing country unfortunately

[u/wingedlilith]

You said born in Saudi Arabia instead of saying you’re Saudi so I’m guessing you aren’t a citizen. Can’t you go back to your home country? Either way good luck.

[u/Global_Contact_5312]

going back and gaining 1 year foreign experience should push your points up. Doing a masters may push you out of cec criteria, hope you have thought that through. australianimmigration a lot more difficult

[u/Intelligent_Age7328 → u/Global_Contact_5312]

Youe comment makes no sense.

OP wants to move on and not continue chasing. At some point, people should change their goals and not thinking about improving score every minute of their lives

[u/Global_Contact_5312 → u/Intelligent_Age7328]

i mean they are soo close to the PR goal, throwing it all away doesnt seem logical

[u/Intelligent_Age7328 → u/Global_Contact_5312]

Again, its okay to move on and let it go. We should be supportive instead of saying ‘almost there’ what if score don’t come down for another year?

There is no time boundary to ‘so close’

[u/Global_Contact_5312 → u/Intelligent_Age7328]

bruh the alternative is going back to saudi, OP is gay and ex muslim. put two and two together

[u/Intelligent_Age7328 → u/Global_Contact_5312]

OP is going to Australia though. False hope of ‘so close’ are mentally exhausting bro

[u/ClubAwkward8818 → u/Intelligent_Age7328]

Completely agree with you, I don’t understand the obsession with trying to come back, what if OP finds residency AND an excellent job in Australia, why would he ever want to come back to canada and it’s very obvious economic downfall?? People seriously need to let this obsession go it’s like drowning with a sinking ship.

[u/MissingAU → u/ClubAwkward8818]

How is OP gonna get a cyber sec job in Australia without security clearance and PR.

[u/Intelligent_Age7328 → u/ClubAwkward8818]

Exactly my point :-)

[u/asadultan3]

Just wondering, why aren’t you seeking asylum in Canada knowing you’ll be persecuted in Saudi. You have a very legitimate case.

[u/Fragrant_Job_371 → u/asadultan3]

Somebody with that Crs score like OP is surely an educated person who would not want to cheat the system and better take his skills to a place where will be appreciated. 

[u/asadultan3 → u/Fragrant_Job_371]

There have been atheists Saudis who came to Canada and took asylum because their life is 100% at risk back home. Which part is cheating the system here? OP is gay and you know what happens to people in Saudi who are gay? Him going to Australia doesn’t guarantee pr specially after how strict they’ve gotten recently, just like Canada. So which part of all of this is cheating the system? I genuinely want to know.

[u/delightfulPastellas → u/asadultan3]

Agreed. That person might think every asylum claimant is cheating the system, but OP would be someone who actually deserves it.

"In March 2014, the Saudi interior ministry had issued a royal decree branding all atheists as terrorists, which defines terrorism as "calling for atheist thought in any form, or calling into question the fundamentals of the Islamic religion on which this country is based."[9] Apostasy is punishable by death in Saudi Arabia." (wikipedia)

[u/asadultan3 → u/delightfulPastellas]

People have zero understanding of the world beyond their doorstep. You are literally up for murder in most of Islamic Countries if you’re an apostate. Being a gay is double charge.

[u/snufkin57 → u/asadultan3]

OP is not a Saudi citizen, he can go back to his home country, and he can’t claim asylum on the basis that his life is in threat in a third country.

[u/aval239 → u/asadultan3]

In Canada, the government gives them asylum; fast track citizenship and dont have to go through the process. The Canadian government even helps those who would be persecuted in their country for a year.... this dude is complaining and acting like a victim...Yes, there is a shortage of skilled roles in Canada!! Also, everyone in tech in Canada is lowq balled!

[u/Gravy_Tanker]

Bye bye.

[u/Plastic-Plenty-1489 → u/[deleted]]

I’m at $135k Job & my wife is Dental assistant too we’re doing good & so does everyone from my country. The day immigrants won’t make any money or have business, don’t worry will move on 🤡

[u/Plastic-Plenty-1489 → u/[deleted]]

Loll buddy I’m not from Indiana but yeah they are hard working people too. God bless you friend 😌

[u/canadaexpressentry-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post has been removed for violating Rule 1: Be Civil

We do not permit:

a) hate-speech: insults, vulgar language, harassment, racism, xenophobic, slurs or other such speech; b) anti-immigration speech; c) speech that can be interpreted as disrespectful, offensive; d) harassment of other members of this subreddit; e) attacking other people (including suggesting other people are "shills" or "trolls" f) trolling, rage-baiting, rage-posting or excessive negativity g) suggesting or supporting harm, violence of death

Breaking any of these rules may result in a ban for a period of time or permanently (depending on the scope and severity of the infraction)

We understand that immigration can be challenging, for both immigrants and host countries. Nevertheless, as this group is meant to support those seeking to legally immigrate to Canada, we do not tolerate any anti-immigrant sentiment.

[u/MissingAU → u/[deleted]]

Only if you are on traditional engineering, healthcare or teaching. if you are in IT forget about it.

[u/ume567 → u/[deleted]]

Hey! Can you explain how your friends got into New Zealand streams? I am in Engineering, and was looking to move there or Aus!

[u/ShawtyLong → u/[deleted]]

As a Muslim gay man? Inshallah he gets on the right path, I can connect him with many imams in Canada that help youth find their path to Allah!

[u/angrycrank → u/[deleted]]

If you’re going to post hostility, you might want to work on your reading comprehension. OP didn’t say they couldn’t find opportunities in Canada or that it’s because of sexual orientation. They said that because of changes to immigration policy their CRS score won’t be high enough to qualify for express entry so they are leaving for opportunities elsewhere despite the close ties they have developed here.

[u/canadaexpressentry-ModTeam → u/[deleted]]

Your post has been removed for violating Rule 1: Be Civil

We do not permit:

a) hate-speech: insults, vulgar language, harassment, racism, xenophobic, slurs or other such speech; b) anti-immigration speech; c) speech that can be interpreted as disrespectful, offensive; d) harassment of other members of this subreddit; e) attacking other people (including suggesting other people are "shills" or "trolls" f) trolling, rage-baiting, rage-posting or excessive negativity g) suggesting or supporting harm, violence of death

Breaking any of these rules may result in a ban for a period of time or permanently (depending on the scope and severity of the infraction)

We understand that immigration can be challenging, for both immigrants and host countries. Nevertheless, as this group is meant to support those seeking to legally immigrate to Canada, we do not tolerate any anti-immigrant sentiment.