Finding Your Path to Canada: What Our Own Immigration Stories Can Teach You

Today, we want to share a little bit about us and the immigration programs that helped shape Moving2Canada into what it is today. Being a company built mainly by newcomers allows us to bring you content that speaks from experience with honesty and clarity. 

Each of us arrived through a different program, from different countries, and with different challenges. And those paths, as imperfect as they were, are the reason we are here today helping other newcomers find their own way. 

Let me walk you through the immigration programs that brought our team together, so you can get a clearer sense of the options that might fit your journey, too. 

The Working Holiday: The Door Most of us Walked Through 

For four people on our team, the Working Holiday program was the simplest and fastest way to land in Canada. No big plan, no long-term strategy, just curiosity and the wish to live in the country instead of only visiting it. 

Rebecca came from the UK and used IEC as her starting point. As she explains, “I came on the IEC working holiday program to work…” It gave her time to settle, work, and choose the fastest path when her PR moment came. And when asked about the best part of the program, she doesn’t hesitate: “Timing! It took 5 months to process.” 

Jessica, also from the UK, followed a similar instinct. She says, “I originally came on an IEC Working Holiday, which was the best fit for me at the time… I was in my 20s and looking to move out of the UK and experience living in another country.” That first step helped her build the Canadian work experience she later needed for PR. 

Stephanie moved from Australia, and she highlighted all the perks the IEC program offered. “There were so many perks to the IEC program. The application was easy to DIY and, since Australia has an unlimited quota for invitations, the lottery process was very fast for me.” It was quick, simple, and the perfect way for her to build strong Canadian work experience for her PR profile. 

Freya took the leap too, also from the UK. She knew the advantages of the program right away: “For UK citizens, it lasts two years, which felt like the perfect window to travel, work, and actually live the Canadian experience.” She laughs about the timing now, admitting, “I started planning my move… looking at flights and rentals, before I’d even received my Invitation to Apply.” 

Four different IEC stories, each with its own twists, all starting with the same permit and the same quiet question: what if Canada becomes home? 

Read all about the different IEC programs here: 

• Working Holiday Program 
• Young Professionals 
• International Co-Op 

International Students and the PGWP: Studying to Open New Doors 

For two members of our team, the path to Canada began in the classroom. Studying here was a chance to reset, grow, and build a future from scratch. 

Rachel came from the Philippines and arrived in Canada with a clear need for change. After years in engineering, she realized she wanted something more. As she explains, “I realized I wanted a more creative path… I came to Canada through a one-year Communication Design program at BCIT…”
That path later led her to the Canadian Experience Class, where her year of local experience became her biggest strength.
If you’re thinking about following this route, you can read here Rachel’s full story, filled with ups, downs, and lessons that can guide your own journey. 

My journey started with a simple goal: I wanted to build confidence in my English and gain skills that would open professional doors. “I came to Canada as an international student to obtain a Canadian diploma in marketing,” and studying here gave me exactly what I hoped for. One of the biggest advantages was being able to “study and work at the same time,” something that isn’t possible in many countries. I also appreciated that so many colleges offered co-op programs, “which mix academic learning with real work experience” and made it much easier to find a job later. 

Learn more about the International Student Program. 

Express Entry and the PNP: Sometimes the Strategy Needs to Change 

Andre knows what it feels like to wait in the Express Entry pool and stay stuck just a few points short of the finish line. As he puts it, “I was always just a few points short of the cut-off (literally between 1 and 5 points most times).” Then the draws changed, and the wait got even longer. 

That’s when he decided to shift his approach and apply through a PNP, as he puts it, “The BC PNP Tech Pilot moved really quickly and my application was processed in just a couple of weeks….I probably should’ve gone for the BC PNP Tech Pilot sooner instead of waiting so long with Express Entry.” 

If you want to understand how Express Entry compares to the PNP, or explore which provincial program might be the best fit for you, you can dive deeper into our Express Entry vs. PNP guide and try our PNP Tracker to find the options that match your profile. 

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