u/Due-Break-5804

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to understand my realistic options after a recent layoff in Canada and would appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

Background:

• Indian citizen
• Worked in the US for ~3 years as a Software Engineer at a large US tech company
• Didn’t get selected in H1B after 3 attempts
• Moved internally to the company’s Canada office earlier this year on a closed work permit
• Currently based in Toronto
• Recently impacted by layoffs

My work permit is valid until 2028, but since it’s employer-specific, I understand I’ll need a new employer-supported work permit to continue working in Canada.

A few questions I had:

1. For people in tech who were already in Canada on a closed work permit after layoffs — were US companies with Toronto offices willing to support a new work permit / GTS process?
2. Which companies were more open to this? (Big tech / startups / fintech?)
3. How difficult was the immigration process operationally once you cleared interviews?
4. My estimated CRS score is around ~481 currently (before 1 full year of Canadian experience). Is this realistically competitive for OINP tech draws / STEM draws these days?
5. Since I currently have less than 1 year of Canadian work experience, I believe I mainly fall under the FSW category right now. Given that general FSW draws have been very limited recently, what realistic PR pathways should someone in my situation focus on? OINP? STEM draws?
6. Has anyone recently received OINP nomination with a similar profile/background?

Would really appreciate hearing recent experiences from people navigating the current market + immigration system.

Thanks a lot

Hi everyone,

I’m trying to understand my realistic options after a recent layoff in Canada and would appreciate hearing from people who’ve been through something similar.

Background:

• Indian citizen
• Worked in the US for ~3 years as a Software Engineer at a large US tech company
• Didn’t get selected in H1B after 3 attempts
• Moved internally to the company’s Canada office earlier this year on a closed work permit
• Currently based in Toronto
• Recently impacted by layoffs

My work permit is valid until 2028, but since it’s employer-specific, I understand I’ll need a new employer-supported work permit to continue working in Canada.

A few questions I had:

1. For people in tech who were already in Canada on a closed work permit after layoffs — were US companies with Toronto offices willing to support a new work permit / GTS process?
2. Which companies were more open to this? (Big tech / startups / fintech?)
3. How difficult was the immigration process operationally once you cleared interviews?
4. My estimated CRS score is around ~481 currently (before 1 full year of Canadian experience). Is this realistically competitive for OINP tech draws / STEM draws these days?
5. Since I currently have less than 1 year of Canadian work experience, I believe I mainly fall under the FSW category right now. Given that general FSW draws have been very limited recently, what realistic PR pathways should someone in my situation focus on? OINP? STEM draws?
6. Has anyone recently received OINP nomination with a similar profile/background?

Would really appreciate hearing recent experiences from people navigating the current market + immigration system.

Thanks a lot!