Migrate

Migration has become a common phenomenon in recent times with more people willing to move away from their country and settle down in another country. People today are willing to move abroad for work, study or for better quality of life.

The reasons for moving abroad differs from person to person but the primary motive to migrate can be either for employment, studies, a better quality of life or just to expand one’s horizons.

The benefits of migrating to another country are many. It gives opportunities to live in a new environment, meet new people and experience a different culture. It provides opportunities to learn a new language. Besides this, migration gives an opportunity for professional development and personal growth.

Settling abroad in one of the world’s leading countries is one of the most life-changing things you can do. Some of the biggest reasons people settle abroad are:

Better salary and job prospects
An enhanced standard of living
More stable political environment
Vibrant multicultural cities
Better healthcare and education
Opportunity to bring more members of the family abroad
Better life for children
Opportunity to bring more members of the family abroad
Migration is all about relocating from one place to another. Usually, there might be diverse push and pull factors at work, either working on their own or together.

Pull factors – that is, factors that draw a newcomer to a specific country – are primarily social and economic. Economic migration is where an individual moves abroad to find work or for following a carefully laid down career path for themselves.

Social migration, on the other hand, is when an individual relocates overseas for either a better quality of life, or to be closer to family.

Generally, the top three reasons believed to be the motivating factors for migrate overseas are –

Increased earning potential,
More job opportunities, and
Better healthcare and education.
According to the United Nations Department of Economic and Social Affairs (UNDESA), there were an estimated over 232 million international migrants globally.

An international migrant is a person living outside the country that they were born in. Crossing borders in search of work, education and new horizons, a migrant is primarily driven by the search for new opportunities and better livelihood.

Statistics for the year 2021 with the World Population Review, an independent organization, reveal that the United States – with 48.2 million – had the highest number of foreign-born residents, also referred to as immigrants.

With 15.9 million living abroad, India was the country with the highest number of former residents living internationally.

The leading countries for migrate overseas include, among others – the US, Canada, the UK, Germany, and Australia.

Canada, Australia and Germany are considered to be the top three countries for immigration post COVID-19.

Australia: A multicultural society and a thriving economy, Australia has a lot to offer a newcomer. Australian permanent residence visas are issued with a validity of five years, allowing you to move to the country and settle in Australia with your family.

You can apply for Australian citizenship after living in Australia for three years on a PR visa, provided you fulfil the other eligibility requirements.

Canada: Found to be the most-welcoming country for a migrant, Canada has streamlined immigration policies making it easier to apply.

432,000 newcomers are to be welcomed by Canada in 2022. A majority of these will be through economic immigration.

Express Entry has a standard processing time of within six months (from the date of receipt of the completed application).

Canada PR visas are issued for five years, and can be renewed. After living in Canada as a permanent resident for a minimum of three years out of five years – that is, 1095 days – you can apply to take up Canadian citizenship. Provided, however, that you meet the other eligibility requirements.

Germany: High demand for skilled workers in Germany is generating many opportunities for immigrants in diverse industries and sectors.

Germany is said to offer among the quickest visa decisions. Moreover, when you choose to migrate to Germany, you gain access to the entire European Union (EU).

The easiest country to immigrate to will be as per your individual circumstances and requirements.

Permanent residency might be gained through different routes. The most common ways of becoming a permanent resident are through–

the work stream,
the family stream,
the study stream, or
as an investor or via a business stream.
If eligible, you might be able to acquire permanent residence straightaway, provided immigration routes suitable for your individual circumstances are available, open, and accepting applications.

Conversely, you might opt to go to a foreign country for study abroad or work overseas first and apply for permanent residence later on. Working or studying abroad might make you eligible for different immigration streams of the country that you study/work in. For example, previous and recent Canada work experience make you eligible for the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) that comes under Canada’s Express Entry.

Moreover, many countries allow you to stay back in the country after you have completed your study abroad. Post study work options are offered by countries such as the UK and Canada, among others.

Generally, a country’s family stream permanent residency is available for partners, children, parents, or other dependent relatives of an individual that is either a permanent resident or citizen of that country.

Under the work stream immigration pathway, you can gain permanent residence based on your having the skills in demand, or being sponsored by an employer in that country for a work-based visa.

Other pathways for permanent residence are also available. These vary from country to country.