Don’t gamble on Express Entry alone, discover the strategies that actually work - https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/workincanada

In this episode, we sit down with Ana Canseco, an Immigration Consultant who left Canada for 10 years before returning stronger than ever. Ana shares the honest truth about why she left, the lessons she learned, and what every new immigrant should never do again when building a life in Canada.

If you’re planning to immigrate to Canada or you’ve just arrived, this conversation is packed with real stories, practical immigration advice, and emotional insight from someone who’s lived it all.

What you Will Learn

00:00 – She Left Canada... and Came Back?

02:00 – The Harsh Truth About Starting Over in Canada

04:30 – Reality Check - Language Barriers & Isolation

07:00 – When Leaving Canada Feels Like the Only Option

09:00 – Coming Back After 10 Years: Can You Really Start Again?

11:30 – 7 Things I’d Never Do Again as a New Immigrant

13:30 – Why Your Immigration Plan Needs A, B, C, D & E

15:00 – Networking in Canada for Immigrants (The Real Way to Get Ahead)

17:30 – Fighting Isolation: How to Build Real Community in Canada

20:00 – Why Leaving Canada Isn’t Failure

23:00 – Immigration Consultant Reveals 2025 Realities You Need to Know

26:00 – Don’t Put All Your Eggs in Express Entry (Here’s Why)

30:00 – How to Survive Canada Without Doing It Alone

32:00 – Connect, Learn & Thrive: Join the Community Here

Connect with Ana:

—

Merhouse Immigration - https://merhouseimmigration.ca/

LinkedIn - https://www.linkedin.com/in/ana-canseco-06042a301/

📌Connect with Kristina:

—

🔥 Join the Private Temporary Resident Community & Get the Navigating the New Landscape of Canadian Immigration Course:

https://www.skool.com/as-told-by-canadian-immigrants-4712/about?ref=36b5a4a80c7c4d1eb25c82f5e234e3c3

🚨 Learn to Master Connecting with People - https://www.networkingnaturally.ca/online-course?am_id=kristina2205

📩 Join our free email list to stay connected:

https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/about

🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants

🔹Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants

🔹Blog: https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/blog

🔹Twitter(X): https://x.com/AsImmigrants

Share this with other aspiring Canadian immigrants who might be struggling with the same issues.

#CanadaImmigration #ImmigrantStories #MovingToCanada #CanadianDream #ImmigrationJourney #NewcomerCanada #PRCanada #CanadaLife #ImmigrationAdvice #ExpatLife #CanadianExperience #ImmigrationStruggles #NetworkingTips #VolunteerCanada #MentalHealthMatters

Legal Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure quality information is available on this website. The information we share is for general information purposes only and does not, in any way, assess nor confirm an individual’s eligibility for Canadian immigration. Nothing presented on this website, on our YouTube channel, or any other platform we own, is to be used as professional advice or as a substitute for the advice of an immigration lawyer or consultant. Please seek advice from a qualified Canadian immigration Consultant and get appropriate professional advice specific to your situation before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the information we provide.

Anything that is said and information appearing on this site reflects an expression of the personal views, experiences, research, and opinions of the individuals speaking and have been prepared for the intended reference by interested individuals and is not intended to create an attorney/consultant-client communication. Kristina is not a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

Support Us:

https://www.paypal.me/astoldbyCanadian

Channel Disclaimer in About Section:

@astoldbycanadianimmigrants

Lionel Akaga landed in Canada through Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program with no job offer and got hired within 30 days. This video reveals his exact strategy: how he broke the "Canadian experience" to land his dream job at a proper level within months.Thinking About Learning French - https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/frenchLearn French With me on Duolingo - https://www.duolingo.com/profile/Tina199543?via=share_profile_qrDo you like these types of convos? If so please leave a review or comment that’s the best way to vote for more like this also, would be doing me a big favour if you could follow this Podcast - its free 🙏🏾 I appreciate you.Connect with Lionel Akaga: https://www.linkedin.com/in/lakagah/What You’ll Learn in This Episode:- How Lionel moved from Gabon to Canada through the Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) — without a job offer- The hidden advantage of being bilingual (French + English) in Canada’s PR system- Why you don’t need a high CRS score to get selected by a province- How to find your first job in Canada as a new immigrant- The truth about life after PR - community, mental health, and finding purpose- Lionel’s lessons on career growth, resilience, and integration in Canada’s tech industryChapters:00:00 - Intro01:31 - Introduction & Guest Welcome 02:38 - Why Canada vs The U.S. 09:00 - Choosing Ontario Through OINP 12:32 - The Wait & Application Process 19:54 - Landing in Canada: First Steps & Housing 25:20 - Breaking Into the Job Market & Canadian Experience 34:00 - The truth about life after PR & Loneliness39:08 - Life after You Get to Canada - Mental Health & Wellness46:00 - Advice for Future Immigrants in Canada📌Connect with Kristina:—🔥 Join the Private Temporary Resident Community & Get the Navigating the New Landscape of Canadian Immigration Course:https://www.skool.com/as-told-by-canadian-immigrants-4712/about?ref=36b5a4a80c7c4d1eb25c82f5e234e3c3🚨 Talk to an Immigration Consultant:https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/consultant📩 Join our free email list to stay connected:https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/about🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants🔹Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants🔹Blog: https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/blog🔹Twitter(X): https://x.com/AsImmigrants—Share it with other aspiring Canadian immigrants who might be struggling with the same issues.#OINPWithoutJobOffer #CanadianExperience #GetJobCanada #OINP #ExpressEntry #JobSearchCanada #OntarioImmigration #NewImmigrantJobs #CanadaImmigration #FirstJobCanada #PNP #ImmigrationPodcast #MoveToCanada #ImmigrationStories #TechImmigrationLegal DisclaimerWe make every effort to ensure quality information is available on this website. The information we share is for general information purposes only and does not, in any way, assess nor confirm an individual’s eligibility for Canadian immigration. Nothing presented on this website, on our YouTube channel, or any other platform we own, is to be used as professional advice or as a substitute for the advice of an immigration lawyer or consultant. Please seek advice from a qualified Canadian immigration Consultant and get appropriate professional advice specific to your situation before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the information we provide.Anything that is said and information appearing on this site reflects an expression of the personal views, experiences, research, and opinions of the individuals speaking and have been prepared for the intended reference by interested individuals and is not intended to create an attorney/consultant-client communication. Kristina is not a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.Support Us:https://www.paypal.me/astoldbyCanadian

advice for immigrantsimmigration storiesCanadian cultureCanadian experiencesimmigration storiesvisa processes

International workers across Canada are getting 180-day work authorization letters and don't know what they mean.

Some are even quitting their jobs thinking they have to stop working.

Immigration consultant Howard Brown joins Kristina to explain what these letters actually say and why the "180 days or until a decision is made, whichever comes first" language is confusing everyone.

What You'll Learn:

- The real meaning behind 180-day work authorization letters

- Why you can usually keep working past the 180-day mark

- What visitor visa expiry dates actually control

- The difference between immigration status and authorization

- Whether you can travel while your PR application is being processed

- Three key strategies for new graduates navigating Canadian immigration

- Common mistakes that lead to 5-year immigration bans

Howard shares real examples from his practice, including clients who've worked well beyond 180 days legally, and explains how to prove to your employer that you can keep working.

We also answer viewer questions about traveling during PR processing, document renewal timing, and financial planning for immigrants..

Connect with Howard:

—

Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/howardlbrown/

Chapters:

—

00:00 - Intro

01:32 - Guest Introduction & Series Launch

02:22 - Visitor Visa Expiration Date Explained

07:07 - Authorization vs Status in Canada

10:31 - Bad Faith Applications & Consequences

17:09 - 180-Day Work Authorization Confusion

22:58 - Q&A: Traveling During PR Application

31:34 - Top 3 Tips for New Graduates

35:21 - Document Updates & Emergency Planning

41:43 - Medical Restrictions & Closing Remarks

📌Connect with Kristina:

—

🔥 Join the Private Temporary Resident Community & Get the Navigating the New Landscape of Canadian Immigration Course:

https://www.skool.com/as-told-by-canadian-immigrants-4712/about?ref=36b5a4a80c7c4d1eb25c82f5e234e3c3

🚨 Talk to an Immigration Consultant:

https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/consultant

📩 Join our free email list to stay connected:

https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/about

🔹Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants

🔹Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/astoldbycanadianimmigrants

🔹Blog: https://www.astoldbycanadianimmigrants.com/blog

🔹Twitter(X): https://x.com/AsImmigrants

—

Share it with other aspiring Canadian immigrants who might be struggling with the same issues.

Legal Disclaimer

We make every effort to ensure quality information is available on this website. The information we share is for general information purposes only and does not, in any way, assess nor confirm an individual’s eligibility for Canadian immigration. Nothing presented on this website, on our YouTube channel, or any other platform we own, is to be used as professional advice or as a substitute for the advice of an immigration lawyer or consultant. Please seek advice from a qualified Canadian immigration Consultant and get appropriate professional advice specific to your situation before any action or decision is taken on the basis of any of the information we provide. We assume no legal liability or responsibility for the accuracy or completeness of the information.

Anything that is said and information appearing on this site reflects an expression of the personal views, experiences, research, and opinions of the individuals speaking and have been prepared for the intended reference by interested individuals and is not intended to create an attorney/consultant-client communication. Kristina is not a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant.

Support Us:

https://www.paypal.me/astoldbyCanadian

Channel Disclaimer in About Section:

@astoldbycanadianimmigrants

#visaexpiry #astoldbycanadianimmigrants #180DayWorkPermit #CanadianImmigration #WorkPermitExtension #ImmigrationConsultant #LegalEndz #NewcomerCanada #WorkAuthorization