Can We Immigrate To Canada?
North-east People Should Join Immigration Game!

Dr. Raj Singh *

Like any other year, this year will see 30000 Indians immigrating to Canada and more than ten thousand Indian students flying to Canada for studies. Will we in India’s North East see some of our neighbors, friends or relatives boarding the airplanes to join the horde?

Historically, economic immigration to foreign countries has been a tradition for the western Indians and Indians from coastal regions followed by a lesser crowd from other parts of the mainland India. This tradition was started in the 18th century when Indians were transported by the British to their colonies in the West Indies and other countries like Mauritius, Fiji, and Malaysia etc. as indentured laborers.

Noticeable waves of willing economic migrations followed soon and Indians had reached various destinations in almost all continents by the 19th century. The North east people still remained barricaded from the global exposure and quite contented with whatever little they had for sustenance.

Indian immigration to Canada started with the first landing of some Sikhs from Punjab in 1902. They reached Canada by ships in month-long voyages on rough seas. There were no telephones or no internet for immediate communication with their parents back home. They ventured to establish in the land of opportunity with vast resources and they achieved. Today, Sikh population in Canada is close to 500,000. There are multi-millionaire businessmen and politicians at all levels of government.

Manipuri population in Canada (just for example) today is still below 100. How do we compare 100 to 500000? This comparison of incomparable holds true for all the ethnic groups from India’s NER. We are lagging behind.

Why don’t or why can’t the NER people immigrate? Given a chance, they will be willing to go where opportunities are especially when the region where they live is languishing for opportunities. Then what is stopping them from participating in immigration? Is it because they cannot fund? Is it because of the social restriction? We may find some reason in myriad factors.

But, some factors may be more pronounced. One such factor is the fear for the uncertainties of relocation in a foreign land. Another is lack of awareness about the means to immigrate. The two are again interrelated. Still one more daunting factor is the unscrupulous practices of fraud agents cheating gullible clients.

We need to remove the fear by understanding the ways. There are ways. There are initial assistance to new immigrants obtainable both from the government and our own ethnic communities in Canada. The Canadian government has recently regulated immigration practices by allowing only the government licensed consultants to represent clients. Immigration may be less difficult than you think. There are in fact thousands in the NER who may be fit to immigrate. You may be one.

Of course, not everyone will be going. You have to have a level of fitness and adaptability for starting a new life in a new culture and environment. Not all occupations will be accommodated by Canada at a given point of time. If your occupation is listed in the current list of 24 eligible occupations for immigration (e.g. most of the engineers, geoscientists, medical lab technologists and Technicians, IT professionals, Financial Analysts), you have at least one year of work experience, less than 35 years of age, have acceptable English language proficiency; you can immigrate under the Federal Skilled Workers Program.

If you are a young graduate you can go to Canada under student visa by taking up a short study program to top up your credential with a Canadian one for more employability. This can lead you to a shorter way of securing permanent resident visa. There are still more ways. A little careful planning of your career and life can unfold a surreal experience of life to you. Think about it and see it happen. Next, you will be helping your own folks.

The NER people should start doing what other Indians did 100 years ago. Enterprising people in the NER should start businesses to prepare intending immigrants for safe landing in Canada. Now the new Canadian immigration system demands compulsory English language tests for immigrants and students. Of the 38 IELTS test centres in India we have only one centre for the entire NER located in Guwahati.

More immigration aware states like Punjab, Kerala and Tamil Nadu have 5 centres each. NER should have more IELTS coaching and testing centres plus Canada Resource Centres to benefit the aspiring immigrants and students. Through a concerted effort, we can make things easier for NER people to immigrate.

Contact Dr. Khomdon Lisam, Imphal.
E-mail: [email protected] for more information about the mission and opportunities.

You can also contact Dr. Raj Singh in Canada who is an Associate at the Globex Immigration and Legal Services Toronto.
Phone: 416 222 2115 (Off),
Email: [email protected].
Website: www.globexintl.ca)