My journey as a software developer from Dubai to Canada

 

My name is Lokesh and I am basically from Bangalore, India. I am a software developer by profession and this is the story of how I migrated to Canada from Dubai.

It is well-known that software developers are required by every industry. Software developers find employment in commercial and public sector information technology consulting organizations, information technology research and development firms, and information technology divisions pf big organizations.

Apart from this, this is a constantly evolving and changing field which requires a practicing professional to be on top of the game.

The qualifications for this job can be any of the following:

• Bachelor's degree or diploma in software development
• Background in computer programming and knowledge of writing code

I was always clear that I wanted to become a software developer and while doing my university course in software development, I used to practice coding and making efforts to build a network with other developers.

The other efforts that I made towards professional development which I would like to share with you are:

Begin by creating projects in a programming language that you are most familiar with, either on your own or as part of a team.

Always bear in mind that you should be expanding your professional network. While you code and build projects, you must keep growing your professional at all times.

In today's digital world, finding out nearly anything and everything about a corporation is as simple as clicking a computer mouse. Make worthwhile connections. As you connect, you will learn.

From my personal experience, I can say that the stronger your online profile, the better your chances of finding a decent high-paying job abroad.

Decision to work abroad

 I was lucky to get selected by a top IT company as a software developer during campus selection. After three years of working in the company, I decided that I will go abroad for work.

 After a few months of job hunting, I was able to land a well-paying job at a top MNC in Dubai. After two years in this job, I wanted to work in a country where I could become a permanent resident after a few years.

The choice was between Canada and Australia. I decided on Canada first. I decided to try for a visa through an immigration consultant and chose Y-Axis after doing my research I approached the Y-Axis consultant and he explained that the best option to get a job in Canada to migrate there would be to apply under the British Columbia Tech Pilot program.

The first step in the process to migrate to Canada is to calculate your eligibility for applying to these programs.

Check your eligibility

Exploring Canada’s job market

Canada has good job opportunities for software developers. Software engineers are expected to have one of the fastest job growth rates of any occupation. Job creation will account for 47 percent of all job vacancies in the next ten years, which is higher than the average of 27 percent for other occupations. The majority of these individuals work in disciplines such as computer system design and related facilities, as well as banking, insurance, real estate and leasing services, telecommunications, and information services. Because of technological advancements, demand for jobs in this field is likely to rise. Rapid innovation will undoubtedly continue, pushing Canadian businesses to invest in their IT infrastructure.

Canada PR application process

I was lucky to get a job in British Columbia, I started my PR processing after this. The entire procedure took around three months.

The BC PNP Tech Pilot is not intended to be a stand-alone program. Rather, it's a streamlined framework for handling applications submitted across existing channels that also meets the pilot's unique specifications.

Two of the five BC immigration streams eligible for the Tech Pilot are aligned with Express Entry while the other three are not.

The BC Tech Pilot recognizes 29 technology occupations that meet the criteria. The program sends out invites to qualified applicants once a week.

 An applicant must apply for one of the five aligned programs and have a work offer in one of the 29 listed fields (for at least one year, with at least 120 days remaining at the time of application). Priority processing over other immigration applications, weekly draws, and a dedicated concierge program to assist employers are among the advantages of this pilot.

In July of 2020, I submitted my application. At the end of August, I received my invitation to participate in the BC PNP Tech Pilot. Almost every week, a tech draw is held. In a typical BC PNP Tech Pilot draw, around 70 invites are issued. There are 29 occupations that are taken into account.

To apply for the Tech Pilot, I had to create an Express Entry profile. I applied under the Skilled Worker category of Express Entry BC. An applicant should apply through any one of the BC PNP categories to apply for the program.

ITA through Tech Pilot

I had submitted my complete application to the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) of British Columbia for consideration under the Express Entry BC - Skilled Worker category.

I then applied for permanent residency in Canada through Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada [IRCC] with my nomination certificate. I added 600 more points to my CRS score due to my PNP nomination.

I managed to get an ITA because of this. Right from the time of beginning the process, I had kept all my documentation complete and ready for submission. That saved me a lot of time and effort along the way.

When I got the ITA from IRCC, I was all set and ready with my application beforehand.

I landed in Vancouver. I was pleased to discover so many Indians have moved in Vancouver. They are a nice community in and of themselves, and they provide a lot of emotional support to anyone that comes to Canada from India.

I was thrilled with the work experience and exposure I was getting from my new employer.

My life in British Columbia

British Columbia can be an excellent spot to settle down for folks with a tech background like myself. The province is also noted for its entrepreneurial spirit and creativity. Also, because British Columbia is one of the Canadian provinces that shares a border with the United States, it is a fantastic place to settle in if you wish to work in the United States in the future.

If you are looking to Work, Study, Invest, Visit, or Migrate to Canada, talk to Y-Axis, the World’s No. 1 Immigration & Visa Company.