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📍 Editor’s Note
👋 Hey there,
Quick question: when you think "fast-track to PR in Canada," do you automatically think healthcare?
Nurses, doctors, PSWs—everyone knows these jobs get priority. But here's what most people miss: there are high-paying roles outside healthcare that can move your PR application just as fast. And some of them pay significantly better.
This week, we're covering the paths people overlook. Plus: the old-school money advice that's actually hurting newcomers, why Canada's unemployment rate dropped (and what it means for your job search), and how to land your first Canadian job after graduation.
Let's go.
— Dami
💼 The PR Fast-Track Nobody Talks About
6 High-Paying Jobs Outside Healthcare That Speed Up Your Permanent Residence
Everyone's rushing into nursing programs. Meanwhile, there are other occupations that qualify for priority processing, category-based Express Entry draws, and provincial nominations; without requiring you to work nights in a hospital.
High-paying roles that fast-track PR:
While the full breakdown includes specific NOC codes and salary ranges, these roles typically offer:
Priority work permit processing
Lower CRS score requirements in category-based Express Entry draws
Strong provincial nomination opportunities
Salaries that actually let you save money while building toward PR
Why this matters: When everyone's competing for the same healthcare positions, exploring alternative high-demand occupations can give you an edge. Less competition, comparable (or better) immigration benefits, and often higher earning potential.
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💰Stop Following This Money Advice
Old-School Financial Rules That Are Hurting Newcomers
The Toronto Star just called out financial advice that sounds smart but doesn't work anymore. For newcomers trying to build wealth in Canada, following outdated rules can set you back years.
📊Job Market Update
Unemployment Dropped to 6.5% (But the Numbers Tell a Complicated Story)
Canada's unemployment rate fell from 6.8% in December to 6.5% in January. Sounds good, right?
Here's the full picture:
Overall employment: Down 25,000 jobs
Wages: Up 3.3% year-over-year to $37.17/hour average
Industries gaining jobs: Information/culture/recreation, business services, agriculture, utilities
Industries losing jobs: Manufacturing, education, public administration
Biggest provincial winner: Alberta
What this means for newcomers:
The unemployment rate in Canada's major cities dropped almost everywhere compared to last year. It's still high overall, but if you have in-demand skills, there's reason to be optimistic.
Focus on sectors that are actually hiring: tech, business services, culture/recreation, agriculture. Avoid sectors shedding jobs unless you have a specialized skillset they desperately need.
And if you're flexible on location? Alberta is where employment gains are concentrated right now.
🎓 Just Graduated? Here's How to Land Your First Canadian Job
5 Tips That Actually Work for International Student Grads
You've got your diploma. Your PGWP is approved (or processing). Now you need a job that counts toward your PR experience requirement.
The challenge? Canadian employers want "Canadian experience," but you can't get it without someone hiring you first. Classic catch-22.
What breaks the cycle:
The full article covers networking strategies, how to translate your international credentials into Canadian terms, leveraging your college's career services, tailoring applications to match job descriptions, and understanding which entry-level roles actually qualify for CEC.
Critical reminder: Not every job counts toward PR. You need TEER 0-3 roles (professional, managerial, technical, or skilled trades). Make sure the position you're applying for will actually help your immigration journey, not just pay your bills.
🛂 Quick Hits
Can You Have Dual Citizenship with Canada?
Short answer: Yes. Canada allows dual (and even multiple) citizenship.
You can become a Canadian citizen without giving up your original nationality—assuming your home country also allows it. Some countries (like India, China, and Indonesia) don't permit dual citizenship, which means you'd have to choose.
Two ways to get dual citizenship with Canada:
You're born in Canada to parents who hold another citizenship
You become a naturalized Canadian citizen while keeping your original nationality
Important: Just because Canada allows it doesn't mean your home country does. Check both sides before making assumptions.
Applying for PR with Family? It Just Got More Complicated
If you're applying for permanent residence and you have a spouse, common-law partner, or dependent children, there are specific requirements and complications you need to know about.
Adding family members to your application affects processing times, documentation requirements, medical exams, and even your eligibility for certain programs. Some applicants make mistakes that delay their entire family's application by months.
The bottom line: Don't wing it. Understand what's required for each family member before you submit anything.
💬 One Move This Week
Your mandate for this week:
Job searching? Check if your target roles qualify for priority processing or category-based Express Entry. Don't just apply randomly; be strategic about which occupations help your PR timeline.
Managing money? Open a TFSA if you haven't already. Even putting $50/month in there starts building tax-free savings.
Recently graduated? Book a session with your college's career services. They exist to help international grads land jobs, so use them.
Planning PR with family? Read that article about family applications. Catch mistakes before you submit, not after.
That’s all folks!
See you next Sunday,
The New Local Team