Immigration to Canada

[iamSarim]

I am an Indian citizen, my spouse is Pakistani, and we live in the Middle East with our baby. We are planning to move to Canada for a secure future because, due to visa restrictions and our different nationalities, we cannot realistically settle together permanently in either India or Pakistan.


We have around CAD 100,000 in savings. Our plan is for my spouse to pursue a Master's in Computer Science while I look for a job in Canada especially in AIP provinces, or we may start a small business if that is a better option.


If we live in Canada for a few years, would we have any possibility of applying for permanent residence on Humanitarian & Compassionate (H&C) grounds, considering our unique family situation? Or would you recommend a different immigration pathway?

 

[Shmiler]

You wouldn't be eligible for H&C - there is nothing unique about your situation.

Which Middle Eastern country are you currently in?

They have made obtaining a study permit in Canada much more difficult due to widespread abuse of the system and a desire to cap temporary residents.

Use this tool to check eligibility for different ways to immigrating to Canada:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool.html

Please also understand that Canada has a high cost of living, high taxes, low wages, high inflation, rising unemployment. Of course it is still a good place in many other respects, but my point is that you shouldn't try and come thinking you're going to be arriving into the land of milk and honey.
There is a very unrealistic view held my many of your countrymen about Canada, then they arrive and find it doesn't exist.

 

[iamSarim]

You wouldn't be eligible for H&C - there is nothing unique about your situation.

Which Middle Eastern country are you currently in?

They have made obtaining a study permit in Canada much more difficult due to widespread abuse of the system and a desire to cap temporary residents.

Use this tool to check eligibility for different ways to immigrating to Canada:

https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/come-canada-tool.html

Please also understand that Canada has a high cost of living, high taxes, low wages, high inflation, rising unemployment. Of course it is still a good place in many other respects, but my point is that you shouldn't try and come thinking you're going to be arriving into the land of milk and honey.
There is a very unrealistic view held my many of your countrymen about Canada, then they arrive and find it doesn't exist.

I live in Saudi Arabia for the last 4 years, and I no longer believe there is any place in the world that truly feels like a land of milk and honey—at least not for me.

I have worked hard all my life, so I am not discouraged by rejection or unsuccessful job interviews. I know I will eventually find my way. In fact, I have been invited to interview with employers in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, it seems they would have been more likely to hire me if I had already been living in Canada.

What matters most to me is securing a better future for my family. I am prepared to do whatever it takes, no matter how difficult the journey may be.

I would sincerely appreciate your advice.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

I have worked hard all my life, so I am not discouraged by rejection or unsuccessful job interviews. I know I will eventually find my way. In fact, I have been invited to interview with employers in Nova Scotia. Unfortunately, it seems they would have been more likely to hire me if I had already been living in Canada.

Don't take it very seriously. Canadians are notoriously polite. It may be just an excuse to say no.

 

[iamSarim]

Don't take it very seriously. Canadians are notoriously polite. It may be just an excuse to say no.

What would you suggest?

 

[CanGoldDigger]

What would you suggest?

The most difficult for you will be to come to Canada, not even to stay. Think about that part first.

 

[armoured]

Don't take it very seriously. Canadians are notoriously polite. It may be just an excuse to say no.

That's true, but Canadian employers can also be quite, ahem, provincial, and notoriously reluctant to hire someone who's not physically in Canada.* Which of those two is prevailing in communications can be impossible to determine.

* Note I'm not exactly blaming them for this, it can be quite rational behaviour - why commit? Not even worth making a decision, unless it's some highly specialized position / world leading individual.

 

[iamSarim]

The most difficult for you will be to come to Canada, not even to stay. Think about that part first.

Why would it be difficult for me to come Canada. Let's hope I get the visa, then what?

 

[Naturgrl]

Why would it be difficult for me to come Canada. Let's hope I get the visa, then what?

Your spouse has to justify costs of the program she has admission to by showing career advancement and higher pay when she returns home. So research pay scales and job prospects. If AIP then assume she is studying in the Atlantic provinces and you have job with eligible designated employer. There are so few invited through AIP.

Learn French if you want PR but H&C is not an option.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Don't won't to be a hope crusher but it is basically non-zero chance to get a study permit in your case, you won't be able to justify it. Trying to bring all your family all together at the same time using a study permit only makes things worse.

Much more "realistic" is to find an employer who is ready to get into troubles applying for LMIA which is also extremely rare and unlikely.

 

[CanGoldDigger]

Also, don't consider CAD 100,000 to be very substantial for a family of 3 in Canada.

 

[iSaidGoodDay]

Don't won't to be a hope crusher but it is basically non-zero chance to get a study permit in your case, you won't be able to justify it. Trying to bring all your family all together at the same time using a study permit only makes things worse.

Much more "realistic" is to find an employer who is ready to get into troubles applying for LMIA which is also extremely rare and unlikely.

Would add that LMIA would do nothing to help either (beyond a temporary migration). OP should try their luck better in other countries where they can do something (some Eastern EU nations or other Asian nations).