Five Types of Immigrants or Prospective Immigrants
Where is the info, you said? Ottawa, June 2012
When I have time, I try to answer questions from prospective immigrants and newcomers on immigration forums. I use Settlement.org because this federal– and provincial-funded board is moderated and informative.
Of course, I also get a fair share of questions directly on this blog. I actually enjoy answering them—it’s always rewarding to share your experience and to help someone. Besides, I remember how lost and clueless I was when I was in the immigration process.
That said, some questions, on this blog or in the forums, get on my nerves. Like I put it in the FAQ:
Just a few basic rules to start. I’m always happy to answer questions about life in Canada or immigration to Canada. I’m not an immigration expert, so don’t expect me to have an answer for everything! Please note that I only know the Canadian immigration system, not the American one. Yes, believe it or not, Canada and the U.S.A. are two separate countries.
I’m not an immigration consultant and I will answer your question for free. The only thing I’m selling on this blog is my phởtography. I’m a human being, not a sophisticated computer program, therefor I appreciate when you acknowledge my reply. I tend to find it frustrating when people ask very detailed questions, get their answer and never email again. To put it simply, it doesn’t encourage me to be helpful.
This week, I received a string of unrelated questions from different people. And I noticed I could easily put those prospective immigrants or newcomers into one of the categories below.
The Anxious Immigrants
Okay, that was me in 2005. Scratch that: that was me until 2009, when I became a Canadian citizen and finally started to realize Canada was going to keep me.
Most prospective immigrants are very anxious and I can perfectly understand why. The immigration process is often expensive, lengthy, and most people have to put their life on hold while some bureaucrats make a decision.
What do they ask? Anxious immigrants usually do their homework and are well-informed, but they want to be reassured and are always afraid to make a mistake. They typically want to share their experience with others in a similar position, and they seek guidance from those who have been in their shoes. They are usually nice people who keep in touch and check back regularly.
The Entitled Immigrants
The entitled immigrant hasn’t landed yet but he already wants to change the rules, because they obviously don’t apply to his specific case. He always claims to be an exception and like to drop the words “Humanitarian or Compassionate Grounds” as it they were a free pass (most of the time, these grounds don’t apply to him anyway).
To him, immigrating is a right and he is ready to fight for it. He could make his life easier by actually reading information guides and following the ground rules but he’d rather be the exception. He is likely to lose his permanent residence status because he didn’t meet the physical presence requirements, or to apply for citizenship when he isn’t eligible, and act surprised when denied.
What do they ask? The entitled immigrant doesn’t have time to waste, which is why he rarely bothers saying “hello” or “thank you”. On forums, he demands an answer from the moderator or experienced users and is curt to anyone else doesn’t have the “credentials” to reply. And he stresses that his case is “unique” and should be treated as such.
The clueless Immigrants
The clueless prospective immigrant is a strange paradox: on one side, he can use the Internet to ask questions; but on the other he seems to be inapt at finding basic answers. He’d rather rely on unofficial replies than to check government websites.
What do they ask? A typical question would be “I want to immigrate to Canada but I have no money and no skills, tell me how to proceed”. If you point the clueless person to a website of reference, let’s say the website of Citizenship & Immigration Canada, he will come back and point out that you do need skills to be selected, and that the immigration process can be costly. Gee.
The Optimist Immigrants
The optimist immigrant can’t wait to start a new life and tell you how much he hates his home country. He knows that everything will be better in Canada: the sky will be bluer, the people nicer, the job well-paid and the locals welcoming.
What do they ask? The optimist immigrant doesn’t really have a question per se, he just wants to have his dream validated. A typical “question” would be: “How much can I expect as the CEO of a major company in Canada, and can I buy a five-bedroom house downtown Toronto when I arrive?”
The Lazy Immigrants
I guess clueless immigrants often become lazy immigrants when they somehow manage to get the process started. The lazy immigrant expects people do to the work for them. Much like this guy who wanted me to give him a copy of my own immigration application, so that he could copy the answers.
What do they ask? A typical question would be “I want to immigrate to Canada, how should I proceed, please advise”. If you refer him to a website, he will get offended and argue that the website isn’t clear. I can sympathize but at least, try, buddy! This is only the beginning of the process!
How about you? Do you think you fit in one of the above categories? Ever received some surprising questions? How do you deal with questions and comments on forums and on your blog?
Related articles:
- Useful Links For Immigration (10÷10)
- 5 Reality Checks on Your Immigration Project
- 3 Unexpected Consequences of Immigration
- How To NOT Ask For Help
- Immigrating to Canada: 6 Years Later, What Changed?
- “You May Say I’m a Dreamer” – Tourist vs. Resident
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LOL! Yes, I’ve seen many variations of these questions, and I don’t even attempt to give immigration advice! I think you could take out the word “immigrant” from your description and just have types of people — anxious, entitled, lazy, clueless or optimist. The only one you’ve left out is the pragmatist. You know, the one who does her homework, visits the immigration websites, looks up information and advice and doesn’t ask any questions at all!!
Ah yes, but I have no complaint about the pragmatist
You are perfectly right though, these categories can apply to people in general, not just immigrants.
Btw
I’m still waiting on that CEO job I was promised on my landing!
As an immigrant (from, I would say, pretty privileged background compared to many) I’m disappointed that some who get to Canada criticize it for not living up to expectations.
Criticism is fine, but the constant whining grates on other immigrants and the “natives”. Do your research, it’s cold here (sometimes), we eat gravy (some do), and we’re not the US.
Nothing is ever as good and things are better “back home” or in the USA. The latter is complicated, since I get the impression from some immigrants that Canada was a consolation prize and the US was what they were really shooting for. I think you can have a category called the “whiner”. They’re different places. I love them both, I chose to live here ( Canada).
I know a lot of folks resent this complaining. I know a woman who constantly bitches about my kids school but is from a country, where A. Women/girls wouldn’t go to school and B. she wouldn’t be treated as an equal member of society. Her or her family. She couldnt afford the schools in her country. She cOmpares my kids public school to élite private schools in her home country even she couldnt attend.
This doesn’t erase class differences, or racism, or the struggles faced by immigrants– but in perspective,Canada is a much fairer and just place compared to many– the US included. Please note: Readers of this blog– This young lady is not an immigration lawyer, your social worker, your ticket to Canada. She is a kind and helpful person who doesn’t need people putting unreasonable demands on her. If you fit the profile of some of these categories, I’ll be glad if you don’t come here, since you’d make crappy neighbors. Theres always Austrailia-(sorry Aussies!)
PS on your windows computer there is a shortcut if you want to make a complaint: hit Alt-F4
The CEO job is on the way, Canada Post was just slow to deliver the offer
Immigrants who are constantly complaining are driving me nuts too, and so is the sense of entitlement some people have. Seriously, the immigration process is fairly straightforward here, and so is the way Canadians do business or deal with the government. Not saying it’s perfect but chances are, the gov’ isn’t there to get you. Most Canadians just want things to work out fine and tend to avoid problems, so don’t come and create some out of pure ignorance!
You are forgetting the 6th type of immigrant. You know, the one that does not ask dumb questions on random internet blogs.
This category does exist but reasonable people aren’t fun to blog about
Hi Zhu,
How you doing?
About the type of immigrants…a big LOL!!!
I am from India, and i feel i will be an optimistic immiggrant in the process by next year. I so hate my country, I feel St. John’s will give me a new life , a new job , a new 5 bedroom apartment.
Hope it happens..;-)…till then ciao!!!
I hope everything will be alright and that you will have a positive experience!
Hi Zhu,
I find your website a great resource for all things canadian.I am a prospective immigrant and started considering the decision only about 2 weeks ago. I am very nervous about the entire process:moneywise and waitwise. i would classify myself as a mix of anxious and optimist.i am doing all the research.I am Indian born but i have lived abroad in UK for yrs so I am aware no nation is heaven on earth.But at the same time like another indian poster commented above,I cant help preferring canada to india.
Anyway,I have a question. I have been searching everywhere for an answer and so far,i am getting confusing answers.My question is,I have a diploma from uk and i have had myself tested for ielts previously(passed with a very high score).Should i do my English testing again for the canadian immigration process?I speak English very fluently.its just that i would rather not do the test again since i already have to test for french.
Thank you for your time.
Hello Esther,
Most immigrants are anxious about the immigration process, that’s perfectly normal! Nonetheless, I wish you the best of luck. You will see, it’s scary at first but once you get into it, it gets easier. Just don’t get overwhelmed and don’t hesitate to ask for help!
Unfortunately, as a native French speaker, I do not have an answer to your question. You should check with CIC. I believe language testing also depends on your education (i.e. did you complete it in English?) and on when you took the test. Better check with CIC to be sure!