My name is Sandy, the name my friends know me by. Today I’m going to share with you the story of how and why I ended up in Canada as a skilled worker employed in software development. This, too, during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Migrating by coercion, not by choice
Happy with my life in India, I had never actually thought about immigration. Well, why should I? I was happy with the salary I was already getting, looking at a bright prospect in front of me.
Everything was good. It seemed so.
COVID-19 has changed everything. Shattering my dreams, making me revisit my future, forcing me to explore saving options. This time, I had no backup plan at all.
I was fired just like that.
I wasn’t expecting it, to be honest.
One day I was busy working on a project, maybe a week or two later I was out of work. My business kept making sure I would be taken over as soon as things got better. But somehow I felt disappointed and started looking for other options.
My friends have suggested that I think about migrating overseas to Australia or Canada. We were confined anyway. So there was enough, rather more than enough, time to explore.
I read everything I could find online. Immigration advice, real stories, good and bad experiences of migrants, even immigration fraud and visa scams.
Why migrate to Canada?
The pandemic of that time had hit things rather hard. As things kind of got under control, immigration emerged as a more attractive option over the days.
Canada, throughout the pandemic, had done virtually everything possible to make it easier for would-be immigrants to Canada during these difficult times.
At that time, the federal government of Canada had started to grant various concessions and flexibilities to people applying under the Express Entry of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
I still remember when Canada imposed travel restrictions on March 18, 2020. I learned much later that just a week ago Canada announced an ambitious plan to welcome immigrants over the next few years. years.
Yet Canada hasn’t stopped inviting newcomers even during the coronavirus pandemic.
The application for permanent residence in Canada through the Express Entry system is by invitation only. All you can do is create an Express Entry profile. However, you can only submit your PR Canada request upon invitation from Canada.
Invitations to Apply by Canada are issued to applicants who have the most potential to establish themselves successfully in Canada.
Migration during the pandemic
I created my Express Entry profile myself. But I couldn’t afford to take any risks.
I had to apply for my visa for Canada the first time.
So I decided to get professional advice. Due to the pandemic, I was unable to attend any in-person counseling.
Some consultants offered online counseling sessions for a certain price. Some gave it away for free. I took both the paid options and the free immigration counseling options.
I still remember that the paid online advice I received was from one of Delhi’s top immigration consultants. What really put me off about them was that they didn’t explain anything properly. I mean, after all, it’s my money at stake, so I had a right to know. Is not it ?
But, these people keep telling me that you just sign the PDF document to email and we will get you a “guaranteed” visa. As if they were printing it themselves!
Anyway, almost fed up with the business attitudes of the majority of consultants, I decided to turn to someone who knew what they were doing. I was even prepared to pay a little more, if I could trust the person handling my immigration file.
Why the Y axis? Well why not?
Around this time, I discussed my future plans with some of my closest friends. Many of them did not understand why I had opted for the Y axis.
Simply because the people on the Y axis weren’t talking over my head.
They took the time to explain themselves. I know I kept asking the same thing over and over again. I had been fired. I was desperate to start a new life in Canada.
Y-Axis consultants gave me confidence to travel to Canada, even during the COVID-19 pandemic. I took the full Canada immigration package from them. I chose to pay for EMI option.
Their Y-Axis Jobs website is also trustworthy as they have listed 100% of verified Canadian employers.
Employment in Canada during the pandemic
Contrary to popular belief at the time, I managed to get a job in Canada even during the pandemic. Software developers are in high demand in Canada.
Even with the pandemic situation, IT companies in Canada were hiring international workers.
I got my job as a software developer in Victoria, BC.
PNP: A guaranteed PR Canada
As suggested by my consultant at Y-Axis, I had mentioned an interest in settling in the province of British Columbia after obtaining my permanent residence in Canada.
I had created my Express Entry profile before coming to Y-Axis. But changes can be made at any time later. To be on the safe side, I have shown an interest in “ALL” the provinces. I could still settle in this province under the Provincial Nominee Program and after a few years move to another location in Canada.
Things were in my favor, it seems. For most of 2020, Canada’s federal government has turned its attention to those who may already be in Canada. These were those eligible for the Canadian Experience Class, that is, someone such as an international student in Canada who had remained on a post-graduation work permit.
Provincial Nominee Program or PNP applicants also received most of IRCC’s invitations to apply in 2020.
I received my invitation shortly after from BC PNP. Apparently, with many vacancies expected between 2019 and 2029, British Columbia has a high demand for skilled foreign workers.
COPR exempt from travel ban in Canada
Once I got my Confirmation of Permanent Residence or COPR from IRCC, it was indeed time to consider a new life in British Columbia as a PR of Canada.
International travel was still prohibited by Canada, but there were some exceptions to the travel ban. Those with a COPR could travel to Canada at this time.
Set foot in Canada
With all the required COVID-19 protocol followed and the necessary precautions taken, at the airports here in Delhi as well as in Vancouver, I finally landed in British Columbia. My flight was only to Vancouver. From there I had to get to Victoria on my own somehow.
My 14-day quarantine was organized by my employer in a hotel in Vancouver itself.
Finally, I’m back on my feet. Do what I seem to do best. Software development. Work from my accommodation arranged by the company for the moment.
I hope to join the full time office soon.
Disclaimer: No Deccan Chronicle reporter was involved in the creation of this content. The group also declines all responsibility for this content.
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