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We dug into the collective knowledge of our team to see how they coped during their immigration processes to hopefully share some wisdom to help you.
Canada’s immigration policy changes in 2024 came as a shock for many. However, to borrow the words of Immigration Minister Marc Miller, “It’s clear that the age of unlimited foreign labour is over.” The new reality in Canada is that not everyone who comes to Canada as a temporary resident will be able to stay here.
But – with threats of mass deportations in the US and Canada’s plans to reduce temporary immigration levels, many temporary residents are fearful about mass deportations in Canada.
Immigration Minister Marc Miller has confirmed that large-scale deportations are not planned, and that he hopes Canada’s system will remain fair, firm and not cruel. He did note that he expects some people will need to leave the country, and that deportation is a tool Canada will occasionally use.
So, what’s the takeaway here?
It’s better to have a plan to remain in Canada legally and to leave and work on coming back to Canada legally if you want to have certainty about your ability to remain in Canada. Staying here illegally is not a strong plan, since it makes life even more challenging and can impact your mental health and decrease your earning potential. It may also make it harder for you to get a Canadian visa in the future.
Applying for asylum without foundation is also not a great strategy. It can have long term implications and, while refugees have a right to be heard in Canada, it is not a guarantee that they will get to stay in Canada. It’s also not an easy path – as of June 30, 2024 there were over 218,593 pending applications.
Immigrating to Canada is exciting. It’s a time where you can build dreams, relationships, and a future you’re excited about. But, it’s also an uncertain time and it’s very normal to experience feelings of fear, desperation, and hopelessness. We spoke with our team members to learn how they coped with this part of the immigration process – and we’re sharing their thoughts with you.
Always have a Plan A and a Plan B. Policies can change, programs end, or you may have an application returned incomplete or rejected outright initially. Working towards being eligible for more than one program can help ease the uncertainty and fear as well as increasing your odds of being able to stay.
Rebecca Major
Originally from the UK and now a Canadian citizen and Registered Canadian Immigration Consultant and Operations Manager at Moving2Canada
If you need help developing your Plan A and Plan B, check out our immigration quiz. You’ll need to create a free account to access it, but you’ll get free checklists and other resources to help navigate Canada’s immigration system with your account.
“I applied to 3 PR programs, failed in 2, failed my language test in the third program 3 times, and took 7 years to get PR.”
Hugo O’Doherty
Originally from Ireland and now a Canadian citizen and the Director of Partnerships at Moving2Canada
“I first planned to come through the Federal Skilled Worker program, then the Canadian Experience Class (both are Express Entry programs). But these programs were both paused at various times during the pandemic. I landed on applying as a partner of a Canadian – which was my third planned option.
I coped by working with a skilled immigration consultant to make sure I wasn’t making any mistakes – the stakes were high enough for me to justify the cost.
I also relied on my amazing friends for support. They made sure I went outside to help with my mental health, and helped distract me when I needed it. Having a community around me was an amazing benefit of the two-step immigration process in Canada that I don’t hear people talk about very often.
I also had some important conversations with my Canadian partner – would he be willing to come to Australia for a period if I couldn’t stay in Canada? What would our finances look like if I had to remain in Canada as a visitor for some time?
Basically, I worked hard to get informed from reliable sources (knowledge is empowering, after all), controlled what I could control, and maintained relationships and healthy habits to manage my mental health.”
Stephanie Ford
Originally from Australia, working as an immigration writer at Moving2Canada
“I came to Canada as an International Student and had planned to get permanent residency through Express Entry. Unfortunately, my CRS was pretty low, so my chances of getting an invitation to apply for PR were slim. I finished my PGWP, then moved to visitor status for six months.
So, how did I cope?
First, I focused on what I could control. I knew there were certain things I could actively work on, like retaking my IELTS to boost my CRS score. I also looked into getting a provincial nomination and tried networking with employers who might offer sponsorship through an LMIA.
Next, like Rebecca said, I had a Plan A and Plan B. Plan A was, of course, to stay in Canada, but that all depended on getting an invitation to apply for PR. Given the limitations of my status, I had a backup. So, my Plan B was pretty simple: go back to the Philippines if things didn’t work out. I had actually booked a flight home because I was nearing the end of my visitor status and still hadn’t received an invitation. It wasn’t my ideal situation, but it was my reality and at the end of the day, I came to terms with the fact that immigration isn’t guaranteed. It’s a privilege, not a right, and I was prepared for either outcome.
Luckily, I got my invitation just before I had to move home. So I very quickly applied for permanent residency and never looked back.”
Rachel Dancel
Originally from the Philippines, and a video content creator at Moving2Canada
“After my first semester of my master’s program, my sponsor encountered financial challenges, leaving my ability to complete my degree in doubt. To navigate this uncertainty, I focused on the things I could control (finances).
I started by coordinating a payment plan with my school and then worked out how I could pay it. In the end, I used income from my co-op position and borrowed funds from friends. I then worked really hard to settle my financial commitments after I graduated and found full time work.”
Christian Nwachukwu
Originally from Nigeria, now a web developer at Moving2Canada
Here’s a summary of the key takeaways for navigating uncertainty as a temporary resident in Canada:
One of the things you can control is your access to affordable health care which you navigate uncertain status in Canada. Being unsure about your future in Canada is one thing, tackling that without reliable health coverage is another entirely. We recommend securing private health coverage whenever you don’t have adequate coverage in Canada.
Get started with a quote from Cigna to get covered for life in Canada.
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