Welcome to my blog, my name is Syed Shah currently living in USA Illinois, And this is my story of how I ended up in North America and what made me think about moving here.
While studying in Pakistan, I shared a common dream with many of my peers to build a better life in countries like Canada, the UK, or Australia. After finishing my master’s degree in mathematics, I got the chance to teach for a while. During that time, I also completed a PGD in IT and earned my Oracle certification. Soon after, I landed a job at a multinational communication company.
Around that time, friends and colleagues suggested I immigrate to Canada, as many of them had already applied.”. Back then, the requirements for the Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program were pretty straightforward. You needed to have a master’s degree, at least three years of work experience in a relevant field, and an IELTS score of 6 or more. On top of that, your job needed to match the Canadian job market. If you met these criteria, you could apply under the FSW program and get a visa that process could last anywhere from two to five years.
I’ve been living in the USA for ten years now. I originally came here to upgrade my education, and once I completed my studies, I was lucky enough to get a great job opportunity with a good company. That’s when I decided to settle down here and make it my home.
Whenever I visit Pakistan, the one question everyone asks me is, “How can we move to Canada or America?” It doesn’t matter if they’re doctors, engineers, or even people with MPhil degrees in their field—everyone wants to know the way.
For the USA, I often tell them that if you have a background in project management and a job offer from a company, you can apply for the H-1B visa. It’s actually a pretty straightforward process. In fact, my immediate manager got his visa that way.
As for Canada, since I went through the immigration process myself, I’m happy to share the steps I took. These steps could really help if you’re thinking about applying to move there.
The second question people always ask me is whether Pakistani qualifications are enough to get a job in Canada. And of course, there are so many other questions too, like how the culture there is different from ours, the cost of living, what the job market is like, and how the weather can be quite a shock.
People are also curious about the quality of life, education, and healthcare in Canada. They wonder why these things are so much better there. And it amazes them when I tell them how the Canadian government works around the clock to support its people.
Answering these questions repeatedly got me thinking—why not create a website where I can share my experiences? A space where I can provide honest insights into life in Canada and the USA, answer people’s questions, and compare the differences between Pakistan, Canada, and America. Through my personal journey, I want to reflect on how these countries have developed and grown while we, as a society in Pakistan, seem to be lagging behind. This blog would not only highlight the realities of life abroad but also explore how these nations progressed—and what we Pakistani can learn from them.
