10 Factors that Influence Where You Can Migrate To

Sidrah Qayyum Inspiration, Migrating, Travel 0

People often ask me why was it that we chose Canada to emigrate to. There were many options that may have been far better in terms of living expenses and weather conditions such as European countries. Ours is a simple answer. We have family in Canada and it’ll fare well for us as it offers permanent residency.

When you decide to emigrate, you don't just pick a spot on a globe randomly. Click to Tweet

When you decide to emigrate, you don’t just pick a place on a globe randomly. You evaluate each and every aspect before taking a leap of faith. If you are planning to emigrate but can’t decide where to start, here some of the factors to look into that can affect your decision:

Table of Contents

1. Why Are You Leaving?

Maybe you think you know the exact answer, but usually the dream of living in a different place is romanticised by the belief that life is far better in a different place. However, that in itself is insufficient to support

Ask yourself the main reason you wish to settle somewhere else. Why is it that you are leaving your loved ones behind for an uncertain future in a strange land? There are certain push factors that cause you to think about immigration. It can be family, financial crises, worsening law and order situation in your native country, job opportunities, health issues due to air pollution and polluted water or your children’s future. These factors will eventually help you decide which place is best suited for your needs.

You evaluate each and everything before taking a leap of faith. Click to Tweet

2. How Will You Earn?

When you are moving abroad, you will need to have enough funds to keep you going for at least a couple of months. When you apply for immigration, start saving seriously. Before picking a new homeland, create a list of places where there is a large job market for your field. For instance, in the UK, nurses and doctors are highly valued while in Germany, engineers can make a great living. In China, Canada and several other places, there is a huge demand for teachers dealing in Early Childhood Learning and English as a Second Language. Some countries require you to pass an evaluation exam or complete a diploma course to validate your degree. These factors can help you determine the location that is ideal for your career.

Why is it that you are leaving your loved ones behind for an uncertain future in a strange land? Click to Tweet

3. Is It Easy to Obtain Visa & Citizenship?

A friend of mine got a great job offer from the USA and he was over the moon. He began to wrap up his life only to find out that his visa got rejected – not once, but twice. Many countries have strict laws regarding non-immigrants as well as immigrants. For instance, it is getting quite tough for Muslims to obtain USA visa due to political issues. Even if they land there, they could face racism. On the other hand, Canada is lenient when it comes to immigration policies. Another example is Europe and Australia, it is harder to obtain citizenship, but it is very easy to find work.

4. Do You Have Necessary Funds?

During immigration process, you are required to submit a bank statement with a certain amount of justifiable money. Canada’s provincial nomination program requires you to show at least $30,000 CAD with verification. It may not be feasible for many people to save up this much amount. In other countries, such as the Middle East, Thailand and the South Asia, there are no such rules and funds aren’t an issue.

5. What Kind of Environment Do You Prefer?

When I was in my early 20s, I loved the hustle and bustle of the city. Places like NYC, Dubai and Vegas were a dream with their glitz and glamour. Now that I am in my 20s, my outlook has completely changed. Perhaps it has something to do with a naughty toddler and a hectic lifestyle, but now I yearn for a small cottage tucked away in a secluded countryside. Busy streets and nightlife are no longer a dream. When we opted to emigrate to Canada, we decided to settle in a quiet town rather than the clamorous life of a metropolitan hub. Do take the ambiance of the place in consideration when you are moving overseas.

Do take the ambiance of the place in consideration when you are moving overseas. Click to Tweet

6. Do You Have Family There?

Leaving loved ones behind isn’t an easy task. Most probably, you will miss your friends and family the most when you move overseas. Wouldn’t it be great if you already have family in the new place? It was one of the main deciding factors for us when we applied for immigration. Having family overseas can reduce homesickness, and it will certainly help you settle in easily. You won’t have to worry about housing for the first few weeks and they will show you around to familiarize you with the town.

7. Do You Know the Language?

A complete immigration process often involves a language proficiency test. If you aren’t familiar with the language, you may face rejection. Many countries require you to sit in an exam to evaluate your fluency such as IELTS and TOEFL for English-speaking countries. In Germany, China, and most Arab countries, it is a must to know at least the basic of their native language. Moreover, if you are unfamiliar with the language, it can cause communication issues and trouble finding a job.

A complete immigration process often involves a language proficiency test. Click to Tweet

8. Are You Familiar with the Culture?

A friend came all the way from Morocco to India and Pakistan, and instantly fell at home. The reason being is that she is a huge fan of Bollywood and loves the Southeast Asian culture. She knew the places she wanted to visit, the food she wanted to try and even what she wanted to wear. She had a fantastic time and she actually cried at the airport.

Another friend of mine had an opposite experience when she came for a visit. She was brought up in a western society and found the culture of her homeland a little too conservative and male-domineering. It is essential you find out about the culture of a place you want to settle in. Go through travel guides and media and contact acquaintances who are living there to get to know about the local customs.

9. How is the Infrastructure?

From schools and hospitals to sewerage system and transport, infrastructure is the backbone of any country’s economy. It is one of the most important factors for a country’s progress and it can directly affect your decision. Find out about how strong the potential country’s educational institute is, healthcare, transit system and fuel rates. Those who move to third world countries have problems settling in due to various inconveniences such as load shedding, water shortage and rundown roads. The natives are so used to these issues that they seem minor to them, but for a new immigrant, it can cause anxiety and bouts of depression.

Infrastructure is one of the most important factors for a country's progress. Click to Tweet

10. Is the Place Safe?

If you are fleeing a place with a high crime rate, you certainly don’t want your new home to be an unsafe and uncertain environment. When you pick a place, do consider country’s law and order situation. Many USA citizens move out of the country to Brazil and Mexico and face an unpleasant surprise of violence and chaos. Is the place worth taking a risk? Is it safe for your children? Make a list of pros and cons.

I hope I have cleared up some confusion on where to migrate. Once you have chosen a place, you can jump onto the next step of filing your application. Take a deep breath and begin your quest to find a new home that suits the needs of you and your family.