This is Abhishek Khanna's story of immigrating to Canada.
My name is Abhishek Khanna. This is my story of immigrating to Canada. Thankfully, before the pandemic situation.
I had been thinking of submitting the story of my journey from India to Canada for a long time now. But, somehow, never got down to doing it earlier.
With somewhat more time on my hands in the recent past, I thought why not pen my story – type it, rather – only for the reason that it might help someone somewhere someday.
Visit Canada
When I visited Canada as a journalist some years back, I had no intention of probably settling down overseas one day.
We had gone to Ontario in Canada for some months for covering a news story. Going to Canada for covering a news story authorized by our India office, we did not need a Canada work permit.
The trip was nice. I was amazed by the professionalism in the media industry in Canada. For someone used to doing things and expecting things a certain way practically all my life, getting to know a new way and manner of thinking gave me a new out-of-the-box thinking.
Back in India with a new thinking
On returning from Canada on visitor visa for covering news, I got back to my own routine. But, something had changed for me. There was a shift in my perception, I suppose.
A craving to do something new. Explore more possibilities.
This was the time that I seriously got down to improving myself. I would study online in my free time, whenever I could find time enough for concentrated study.
I did my Digital Marketing course online. That was a new trend back them. Just coming into prominence. By Digital Marketing is meant Social Media mainly. Using the social channels for getting as many leads as possible.
I found that to be something that might be helpful in my resume also. I was working as a Cyberjournalist, so the internet was where I was all my time anyway.
With my Digital Marketing course, I got to know how best to link my write-ups to my social presence, linking back to my profiles and interacting with people from all over the world.
Immigration Canada
Encouraged with my good stay in Canada some time back, I decided to explore if somehow I could immigrate to Canada as a journalist.
Thankfully, one of my colleagues was also interested. He was a Culinary Journalist. We began our research online. Reading up forums, going through all genuine-looking visa and immigration related websites.
Do keep in mind that not all that you see online can be trusted.
My friend and I made it a point to only get advice from those who knew the best. Online reviews can be anyone writing anything for anyone. You can’t just accept them at face value.
We got our online Canada immigration counseling from 5 different visa consultants, just to make doubly sure. Majority of them kept asking us to come down to the office and join up.
We weren't ready for that just that time.
Getting an International Resume
By this time, I learnt fairly enough about how the Canadian immigration worked.
My Y-Axis free counseling was also quite good.
I decided to apply to Express Entry as well as try to get a nomination under the Provincial Nominee Program of Canada.
A nomination by a province or territory in Canada guarantees an invitation by the federal government of Canada to apply for permanent residence in Canada.
Looking for jobs in Canada from India is a simple process. Never trust anyone that offers a “guaranteed Canada visa”. Always remember that giving or refusing a visa is only for IRCC. No one else can do that.
Anyway, while I reviewed jobs in Canada online, I also got my International Resume made from Y-Axis. I also took their LinkedIn Marketing Services.
I did not take the complete Canada immigration package. I did ask them for the EMI option for paying. They had the option for paying in EMIs for Canada immigration complete packages, but I decided to do it on my own. The official IRCC website is detailed enough.
Express Entry and a PNP nomination
I myself made my Express Entry profile and marked a willingness to settle in Ontario if granted Canada PR.
This was much before the pandemic situation. Looking back, I think I got lucky and got through to Canada in time.
I did not get a nomination through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program.
But then, I got my invitation by IRCC to apply to the Express Entry system.
From Delhi to Ontario
Finally, I am in Ontario, doing what I love to do, reporting as a journalist. Life is good. By the way, my National Occupational Classification Code was NOC 5123.
Hope I could inspire someone to become the next Global Indian. Really looking forward to meet Adrienne Batra, editor-in-chief of the famous Toronto Sun.
Thank you for reading!
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