Niels(32)

As a software engineer in Amsterdam I had a good salary, but the housing market made it impossible to build anything. Friends who had emigrated to Canada told me about Express Entry — the points-based system Canada uses to select skilled workers. I calculated my CRS score and came to 478 points. Enough for an invitation.

The Express Entry process started with creating a profile in the IRCC portal. I had my diploma assessed through WES (World Education Services) and passed my IELTS exam with a score of 8.0. Within three weeks I received an Invitation to Apply (ITA). From that point I had 60 days to submit my full application — including police clearance, medical exam and proof of work experience.

Landing in Toronto was overwhelming. At Pearson Airport I went through the immigration line where my Confirmation of Permanent Residence was converted to an official stamp. Within a week I had applied for my SIN (Social Insurance Number), opened a Canadian bank account at TD Bank and enrolled in OHIP — Ontario's health insurance. Note: OHIP has a three-month waiting period, so temporary insurance is essential.

Finding work was easier than expected. The Canadian tech sector is desperate for people. Through LinkedIn I had three interviews within two weeks and after a month a job at a fintech startup in the Financial District. The salary is comparable to Amsterdam, but the growth opportunities are much greater. Canada values foreign experience — my Dutch background was seen as an asset.

Daily life in Toronto is different from Amsterdam. The city is enormous — you need a car for the suburbs, but downtown everything is reachable via the TTC (metro and streetcar). The winters are harsh, truly harsh. My first winter was minus 25 degrees and I had never seen so much snow. But Canadians are pragmatic about it: you buy a good coat and carry on.

After eighteen months I have received my PR card, an apartment in Liberty Village and a growing network. The best advice I can give: start optimizing your CRS score early. Every extra point counts. And don't underestimate the bureaucracy — but if you follow the process, the system really works. Canada keeps its promises.