I Almost Had to Leave Canada: Here’s What That Taught Me

After seeing the new Immigration Levels Plan 2026-2028, I’ve been reflecting on what those numbers actually mean to people going through the process. For every target or quota announced, there are real people navigating timelines, visas, and decisions that shape our lives in ways statistics can’t fully capture.

This is the story of how I almost had to leave Canada and what that experience taught me about immigration, uncertainty, and resilience.

I Came to Canada on a One-Year Study Permit

I arrived in Canada in 2017 with a suitcase, a study permit, and a mindset that this would be a short chapter in my life. I completed a one-year postgraduate program, knowing it would only give me a one-year Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). I was okay with that.

At the time, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to stay in Canada long-term. But I also didn’t expect “temporary” to begin feeling like “home” so soon.

The Clock Starts Ticking the Moment You Graduate

For anyone on a one-year PGWP, there’s no buffer time. You have 12 months to:

• Land a full-time, skilled job
• Accumulate at least 1 year of qualifying work experience
• Create a strong Express Entry profile
• Hit the minimum CRS cut-off score before your PGWP expires

I started job hunting about three months before finishing my program. I had hoped to work in graphic design, but most of my experience was in clerical roles. That’s what opened the door. The company I worked for part-time had an internal job opening. It was for an administrative assistant (NOC B, now TEER 3).

I applied and eventually got the role, but not without hurdles. My employer had worries about my status and the brief length of my work permit. I had to self-advocate at every stage.

When I Realized I Might Have to Leave Canada

A few months before my PGWP expired in January 2020, it hit me: even with a skilled job, strong language scores, and age on my side, Express Entry was competitive — but not nearly as intense as it is today.

At the same time, I was starting to feel at home in Canada. I had a strong friend group, was enjoying seasonal activities, and started exploring more locally. I had invested emotionally in a life I wasn’t sure I could keep.

I came across a Reddit thread that perfectly captured what I—and so many others—were feeling:

Honest question. How’s everyone’s mental health doing?
byu/forwork12345 incanadaexpressentry

Reading those words, I felt an unexpected sense of comfort. It reminded me that even in moments of doubt, I wasn’t alone in feeling that quiet grief that comes when your life begins to feel temporary again. It also echoed the truth that immigration isn’t just paperwork, it carries an emotional weight that’s hard to explain unless you’ve lived it.

How I Prepared to Leave, Just in Case

I finally had to confront the reality that I might leave Canada. I started preparing, not just emotionally, but practically, too. Here’s what that looked like:

• Booked my flight back home
• Packed up my things and donated what I could
• Updated my resume for job applications in my home country
• Set aside emergency savings to help me restart back home
• Spent more intentional time with friends and family
• Let myself grieve the life I thought I’d continue building here
• Tried to find closure by revisiting my favourite spots and saying quiet goodbyes

Other things to consider when preparing to leave include:

• Giving proper notice to your landlord to end your tenancy
• Cancelling or pausing your phone plan
• Closing Canadian credit cards and bank accounts
• Transferring funds internationally or setting up cross-border access
• Paying off any remaining bills or subscriptions
• Updating your mailing address or forwarding your mail
• Backing up important documents (e.g. T4s, tax slips, reference letters)
• Downloading your immigration and work history records

Some of these seem small, but in the stress of preparing to leave, they can pile up quickly. Having a checklist helped me feel a little more in control, even when the future was still uncertain.

The Moment Everything Changed: My PR Breakthrough

My return flight was booked for June 2020. My suitcase was half-packed. Two weeks before departure, I got an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency!

Due to COVID-19, immigration policy had shifted to prioritize applicants already in Canada. CRS cut-off scores began to drop, and Canadian Experience Class (CEC) draws became more frequent. Eventually, the day came when the CRS cut-off aligned with my score and I received an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR.

I canceled my flight. I got to work on my PR application immediately. It felt like I could finally breathe after months. I had made it, just barely.

Lessons I Learned About Immigration and Uncertainty

If I had the chance to go back and do things differently, it would be this:

• Choose a longer program of study. A two- or three-year program could have given me a longer PGWP, which in turn would’ve provided a better runway to find work, gain more skilled work experience, and improve my chances of being invited to apply for PR.
• Give myself permission to enjoy the journey. I was so focused on reaching the next milestone that I forgot to stop and enjoy the life I was already living.
• Explore more ways to boost my CRS score early on. Looking back, there were several things I could’ve done sooner like improving my language test scores, learning a second language, or even researching how to get a provincial nomination. These can all make a big difference when you’re working with a tight timeline. If you’re trying to improve your score, check out Moving2Canada’s guide to boosting your CRS score

The reality is, navigating immigration on a short timeline is intense. But if you’re in the same boat, here’s what I want you to know:

• Hope for the best, prepare for all outcomes. Have a plan A, B, C, and D.
• Stay organized and informed. Understand your options and timelines.
• Speak with people who’ve been through it. You’re not alone.
• Give yourself space to feel. Immigration is deeply personal and emotionally taxing.
• Enjoy the life you’re building now. Don’t wait for PR to start living.

What That Season Taught Me

Even though I stayed in Canada, preparing to leave taught me lessons I’ll carry forever. I learned:

• Resilience: I gave it everything I had, even when the outcome was uncertain.
• Focus: I learned to stay grounded in what I could control-my effort, my mindset, and the steps I could take.
• Acceptance: I learned to find peace in the possibility that things might not go the way I hoped-and to move forward anyway.

More importantly, I learned that leaving wouldn’t have meant failure. It would’ve just meant a different version of my story. I would still take the growth, relationships, and experiences from here into whatever comes next.

And if you’re in that same place right now — unsure if you’ll get to stay — please know this: your story is still unfolding, and it’s just as valid no matter where it leads.