Moving to a new place is never just a change of address—it’s the beginning of an entirely new life. Everything must be built from the ground up, and in the whirlwind of adjustment, one truth hit me harder than anything else: proper planning makes all the difference.
In the first year and a half, my focus was singular—finish my studies as fast as possible. It wasn’t just about academics; it was about easing the weight on my wife’s shoulders. Watching her work tirelessly to fund my tuition was both inspiring and heartbreaking. Her sacrifices became the silent fuel that pushed me forward.
Once the studies wrapped up, the next hurdle loomed: the work permit. What followed was a long, uncertain wait—weeks stretching into months, heavy with anxiety. But eventually, I crossed that gate too. I had made it through another storm.
Then came the biggest realization of all—planning for Permanent Residency (PR). At first, it was tempting to grab any job, just to start contributing and catch up. But deep down, I knew: this journey wasn't just about short-term survival. It was about building a future, a secure one.
I watched my friends juggle multiple jobs, pulling in good income. I questioned myself constantly—Am I not working hard enough? Just one job didn’t seem sufficient for my family. My wife and I both shared the weight of that feeling, as though we were being too soft on ourselves. The urge to take on more was overwhelming.
But I kept reminding myself: this is a season of sacrifice. For now, I have to hold back—just for a while. Let the months pass. Let go of quick wins in favor of long-term security. Once I secure my PR, I can choose the path I truly want. Until then, I must endure, plan, and be patient.
Language proficiency was one of the keys to unlocking this path. Without the right score, I’d have to wait another year to gain points through work experience. That’s when I consulted Jensen Johnson Immigration, and they opened my eyes to a strategy I hadn’t considered—I was eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker stream.
If only I had a stronger language score earlier, I could’ve qualified as early as mid-2024. Still, I moved forward. They advised me to create an Express Entry profile after six months of experience in a TEER 0–3 category. At the time, I wasn’t in a skilled role.
But fate had other plans.
In August 2024, I was hired as a Graphic Designer, falling into TEER 2. The job was far—two hours each way, every day—but I took it in stride. I needed the experience, and that made the daily four-hour commute worth it.
By March 2025, after six months of work, I created my Express Entry profile. The score came in—low. Anxiety crept back in. I tried the language test several times, but my motivation wasn’t what it once was. The questions were manageable, but time management tripped me up. Life, too, was moving fast—our son had just been born. I was balancing work, long commutes, family, and the constant pressure of immigration timelines.
A year passed, and I found another graphic design job, this time closer, in East Hastings Street. One quiet day, I decided to update my language score on the system—and suddenly, my score spiked.
It was like a shot of energy straight to the heart. That glimmer of progress reignited my drive. With renewed determination, I registered for the test again, even as my wife and son traveled back to Bhutan in early September.
This time, I performed better. Still, I knew I had more in me. But when I entered the new score into my Express Entry profile, something incredible happened—my total score leaped beyond even the highest previous IRCC draw.
And then, like a dream crystallizing into reality, it happened.
On October 2, IRCC announced a draw. The cutoff was 534—my score was beyond and above it. I saw the news mid-day but couldn’t access my email until the evening. I called my wife, and we both held our breath. She had been praying for this moment.
And then I saw it: Invitation to Apply (ITA).
I had made it.
The very next day, I reached out to the immigration consultant and started the process. Payments made, documents gathered, forms filled.
Now, I wait—hopeful, prepared, and grateful. Every sacrifice, every delay, every missed hour of sleep had led to this point.
Bless us, Tsawai Lam. Let the path ahead be clear.
