Long Dang’s journey to Canada is a story that will resonate with many immigrants. Originally from Vietnam, Long <\/span>moved to the US for his education<\/a><\/strong>, earning a degree in computer science at Dallas Baptist University. After graduation, he landed a job at a tech consulting firm and began building a life for his family in Dallas.<\/span><\/p>\n But as an immigrant, the uncertainty of his status loomed large. While his employer worked to sponsor him for a green card through various routes including <\/span>H1-B<\/a><\/strong> and an EB-3 visa, the process was fraught with delays. The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic only made matters worse, adding complications and halting progress entirely.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n With a family to support and children who had known no other home, returning to Vietnam wasn’t an option. For Long, it became clear that staying in the US was no longer viable. The question was: what next?<\/span><\/p>\n Canada emerged as a beacon of hope\u2014a country that offered stability, opportunity, and a future for his family.<\/span><\/p>\n Long didn’t stumble upon Canada’s immigration pathways by chance. He began by methodically researching the options available to skilled workers, starting at the source: the <\/span>Canadian government’s immigration website<\/a><\/strong>. It was during this deep dive that he discovered the <\/span>Global Talent Stream<\/span><\/a>, a Canadian immigration program that fast-tracks work permits for high-demand occupations.<\/span><\/p>\n From there, he came across Path to Canada, a service dedicated to helping skilled workers like him transition to Canada. Long’s first interaction with the team was promising, starting with a conversation with Darren, a director at the company who took the time to understand Long’s situation and goals.<\/span><\/p>\n “I found Path to Canada through a Google search,” Long explained. “From the start, they made everything simple. They connected me with immigration lawyers and handled the work permits for me and my family. It was seamless.”<\/span><\/p>\n With their support, Long secured his work permit, while his children received student visas. His employer was supportive throughout the process, working with Path to Canada to facilitate the transition. The landing process itself was surprisingly smooth\u2014despite a two-hour wait, the actual entry process was straightforward, with officials simply reviewing his documentation without extensive questioning.<\/span><\/p>\n The decision to settle in Calgary wasn’t an impulsive one. Long approached the choice with the same meticulous research he had applied to his immigration process, creating detailed comparisons of different Canadian cities based on multiple criteria.<\/span><\/p>\n “I looked at all the major cities\u2014Toronto, Vancouver\u2014but they didn’t feel right for us,” Long shared. “Calgary was different. It reminded me of Austin, Texas\u2014a big enough city to have opportunities but small enough to feel manageable.”<\/span><\/p>\n His decision-making process included analyzing everything from housing costs and education quality to transportation systems and community resources. As Long explained, “When we land here, basically we start from zero, so we have to understand how the city works, locations, and all that stuff.”<\/span><\/p>\n Affordability played a key role in his decision. Housing costs in Calgary were significantly lower than in Toronto or Vancouver, making it a practical choice for a young family. The city’s reputation for being family-friendly, with accessible schools and a safe environment, further reinforced the decision. The presence of a Vietnamese community, though smaller than in larger cities, offered comfort through access to familiar markets and newcomer support services.<\/span><\/p>\n For Long, Calgary offered something else\u2014a fresh start in a place that balanced urban convenience with outdoor adventures, particularly appealing to his love for winter sports like skiing and snowboarding.<\/span><\/p>\n The transition to life in Canada wasn’t without its challenges. Like many newcomers, Long had to navigate a maze of paperwork. From obtaining social insurance numbers to enrolling his children in school and setting up banking, the process could have been overwhelming. One particular challenge was understanding the Canadian tax system. But preparation made all the difference.<\/span><\/p>\n “Doing things in person helped a lot,” Long explained. “For example, we got our SIN numbers in just 30 minutes by visiting the office directly. If we had done it online, it could’ve taken a month.”<\/span><\/p>\n Within a month of arriving, Long and his family had settled into their new routine. His daughter started kindergarten, and they found a daycare for their youngest son. The Vietnamese community in Calgary offered support through newcomer centers and cultural connections, helping them establish roots in their new home.<\/span><\/p>\nDiscovering a path forward<\/span><\/h2>\n
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<\/a><\/p>\nCalgary felt like home<\/span><\/h2>\n
The challenges of starting over<\/span><\/h2>\n
Remote work, familiar job<\/span><\/h2>\n