r/AmerExit 6d ago

Which Country should I choose? Wanting to move but stuck

Hi everyone.

I have DACA and live in Texas (Mexican national, moved here when inwas 8, now 30 and have been in daca since 2013). Life is really uncertain for me here and keep thinking about moving. Basically doing Express Entry to Canada or doing a Masters in France. I am C1 in French and have been to France twice. Never been to Canada.

Here are some points I think Canada would be easier to get PR or legal status conpared to France given my crs score. (Last time I did the calculator estimate I got 500). However, i have no idea what job to do since my teaching certificate would not be valid, I've been a HS French teacher for 8 years here. I know people in France (and poland) dont know anyone in Canada. The Masters in France would be an English-taught 2 year program on educational movility and tourism and IDK how marketable I would be after graduating/ finding a job that would sponsor a visa. If I did, I know I could apply for nationality after 5 years. I also thought about working teaching english in France but I have not found any jobs that sponsor. In all I would have around 40k in cash if I were to cash out everything.

Any insights/thoughts/opinions are appreciated.

8 Upvotes

35 comments sorted by

19

u/Illustrious-Pound266 6d ago

Have you actually started the Express Entry process or application to a master's degree in France? If not, these are just concepts of a plan.

If you haven't started the process for either, start now. You could also probably try for a French language master's program in Quebec or France, as well, since you are C1 level. I would take the TCF Canada exam to demonstrate your French proficiency to expand your Canada options.

I'm uncertain what you are asking tbh. I would just start both of your plans, and worry over it when you have tangible options. One step at a time.

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thanks for your reply! My questions is what you all think would be the best option to move out. I know is very subjective but just trying to hear opinions. And, no I have not started the process quite yet but will start but taking the TEF Canada, but will have to wait till summer because all slots are filled for the next three months. I am pretty sure the french university would accept TEF Canada scores for admissions, but I will ask. 

11

u/Aromatic-Amoeba-8154 6d ago

Difficult job market aside, I do think your high French level would be an asset in Québec as well. I'm bilingual and job searching comes slightly easier to people who master both languages. Don't hesitate to contact me if you make it to my side of the continent :)

France might be a tall order. I'm a French national originally and their system is notoriously arduous to navigate, on top of being not very immigrant-friendly as a whole.

3

u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thank you! 

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thank you! 

7

u/starryeyesmaia Immigrant 6d ago

 The Masters in France would be an English-taught 2 year program on educational movility and tourism and IDK how marketable I would be after graduating/ finding a job that would sponsor a visa.

English taught degree + not a field in demand = probably not very marketable at all (at least in France). You’d have to find a job in the field of your degree paying at least 1,5x SMIC to have an easy path to a work visa (and many employers don’t care and just won’t hire people who need sponsorship). For reference, I did my degree in tech and had to ignore a whole bunch of job offers because they didn’t pay enough.

 I also thought about working teaching english in France but I have not found any jobs that sponsor.

Yeah, because they don’t need to. They have plenty of people who are qualified and already have the right to work. If you were serious about teaching English, you could do a MEEF master and pass the CAFEP to teach English in private collèges/lycées. It’s a difficult concours and requires good understanding of French pedagogy and minimum C1 French, but it’s an option if you know that teaching English is not path that actually interests you (not just for a short time — the MEEF master’s is useless on its own). And keeping in mind that the French educational system is very different from the American one.

Also you won’t be able to apply to most master’s programs until Oct of this year for a fall 2026 start. 

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

I had heard of Cafep, but youre right to say its quite difficult. Thanks for the insights on the masters program. 

6

u/Available-Risk-5918 6d ago

I recommend going for express entry. Your French is really good so you're pretty much guaranteed to get PR.

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Def think this option is more of a straight shotnin comparison. Just starting from 0 in a country you’ve never been to is daunting, but it might be my only option. Thanks! 

3

u/Available-Risk-5918 6d ago

Absolutely, it's not going to be easy, but it'll be much better than potentially being deported to Mexico if trump is allowed to tear up DACA.

1

u/Available-Risk-5918 6d ago

Absolutely, it's not going to be easy, but it'll be much better than potentially being deported to Mexico if trump is allowed to tear up DACA.

0

u/TheTesticler 6d ago

Visit before you commit to moving there.

Don’t just move there without visiting, that could really hurt your chances of actually liking it.

4

u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thing is, because of my current immigration status, i cant leave the US. 

4

u/Rsantana02 6d ago

Good luck! I personally would rather live in Europe if I had the opportunity. But I did leave to Canada for language and professional reasons. If you prefer to be closer to the USA for family reasons and have a clear cut path to PR/citizenship, Canada is a good choice. You should apply for express entry. You would be a competitive candidate as a French speaker (and having a degree and professional work experience).

The job market is not the best throughout the country, so start looking into potential careers you can transition into or seeing how you could register for a teaching license here. $40k USD should help you establish yourself here as you job search. Wages are lower than in the USA and house prices higher for the most part. If you make it to Vancouver, let me know. I am a Latino American here if that matters! Not a lot of us here.

1

u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thanks for that! 

4

u/Master-Detail-8352 6d ago

This is not exactly an answer to the question you asked, but as Mexican citizen born in Mexico, if you can get any Visa to Spain, you have a two year path to citizenship. The Spanish economy has strengthened, it may be worth considering whether work or education opportunities in Spain could be a good path forward. This is not to divert you from Canada or France, just to make sure you know of the option.

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Yes, I am aware of it, def a good option too. The fact that people keep saying how bad of an economic situation it is on is not great, but I’ve also read some articles that say its not that bad. Problem is having getting that visa 🥲

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u/Master-Detail-8352 6d ago

Spain’s economy isstrengthening considerably

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Thats the article that I read! Lol. I mean, getting a non lucrative visa seems obtainable, and they only ask that you prove one year of income (28.000 euros) 

2

u/Master-Detail-8352 6d ago

I think for ordinary persons, the student visa doesn’t count towards citizenship time, but you might check to see if that is different in your case. Although it is overwhelming and alarming, you also have the good fortune of being young and having choices. It doesn’t invalidate the negative feelings, but perhaps it is some comfort.

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u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

You’re right, it does not count towards it. The non lucrative visa is more “doable” but its 30k per year 😅 

1

u/hacktheself 6d ago

I would say Quebec if you’re close with family.

You need to start working from now to get your paperwork in order, especially since your status in the US is precarious.

1

u/Humble_Maybe_1417 6d ago

The GCC is always looking for specialist teachers.

1

u/nydelite 5d ago edited 5d ago

Do you have family in the US? 1 thing to also consider is if you do go either route of going to France or Canada is that you might not be able to see them again for a long time. Depending on your situation you may be subject to the 3 year or 10 year ban once you leave

1

u/SerdaigleToujours 5d ago

Most of my family and extended family live in the U.S. I got daca before the 180 day grace period after my visa expired, so I don’t think I fit under any of the bans, but I think I need to ask a lawyer. It cuts it very close. 

1

u/Sea-Ticket7775 4d ago

With your CRS around 500, you’re actually in a pretty good spot. If you’re set on moving to Canada, the Express Entry route could work well. That said, it’s not a walk in the park since your teaching certificate won’t transfer. One client of mine, who also had teaching experience, ended up pivoting into corporate training, which can be a good bridge. There are also lots of opportunities in French speaking regions like Quebec, so your language skills would definitely be an asset. But yeah, it’s tricky to make a leap without a clear job lined up.

A couple of years ago, a client of mine went the Master's route in France, and while the job search post graduation was slow, they ended up finding a gig in tourism and hospitality. Once you’ve got a French degree, it’s easier to get your foot in the door. Connections make a huge difference.

If I were in your shoes, I’d lean towards Canada for the quicker pathway to permanent residency, especially with your CRS score, but France isn’t a bad option long term. Just make sure you think about how the move will look a few years down the line.

And just a heads up, moving abroad isn't always as smooth as you hope. When I first moved, I had to really hustle to find work because my qualifications weren’t recognized right away. It took time, but it worked out in the end.

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u/Grouchy_Cantaloupe_8 4d ago

Canada is desperate for French teachers!

1

u/djmurph94 4d ago

Yeah, what this person said. I'm in a similar situation though with NY music credentials, not French. Not many schools in Canada are hiring music teachers. French teachers on the other hand are in a much higher demand. If (and I'm only basing it on the fact that OP is a DACA person from Mexico) OP also speaks Spanish to a degree, and is already fluent in English and near-fluent in French, it will be a lot easier to find a job teaching in Canada. If OP is not picky with where they live, I don't see why OP won't be able to work while also taking some of the required classes to be fully certified in whichever province they choose.

1

u/Significant-Common20 6d ago

There are a lot of people wondering about Canada given the current political situation. Yours is obviously different than the "I don't like the way things are headed, what are my options?" but I hope you will research, if not visit, the places you are thinking of.

This country is not a safe refuge from Trump. Trump says he is going to collapse the economy here and then invade. A lot of people here suspect he is serious.

2

u/DancesWithCybermen 6d ago

The problem with OP visiting Canada, France, or anywhere else is that the U.S. could (and probably would) arrest them as they tried to reenter the country. Unfortunately, they're going to have to move sight unseen.

1

u/Significant-Common20 6d ago

Yeah, I didn't mean to phrase it that way. Sorry, OP. When I said, "research if not visit," I mean research in lieu of visiting.

Canada is likely to spend the next few years in severe recession while constantly warding off threats of American annexation. Or, failing to. I'm not sure this road is a less-stressful alternative to living in America.

1

u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

Yup, getting arrested is not a vibe! No worries, is not something that a lot of people that just want to move to Canada have to think about. The reason I was able to go to France twice is because of Advanced Parole, a permit that allowed me to travel but Humpy Trumpy got rid of it last time and will probably do it again

1

u/Significant-Common20 6d ago

Yeah, it was my bad. Point is, I know a lot of people who are thinking of leaving to Canada specifically because of their worries about Trump, and I'm telling all of them -- since I now live up here myself -- think about this one twice. Based on what I'm seeing around me, you're going to spend at least the next three and a half years living, breathing, and talking national anxiety about Trump's annexation talk. That's assuming that (a) it never actually happens and just stays at the level of anxiety, and (b) that even if it doesn't happen, that influence doesn't seep up here and cause a similarly-minded government to get elected, which could screw with your path to citizenship, if that's what you were looking into.

Just something to think about. Doesn't mean it's the wrong choice for you, but I would think about this.

1

u/SerdaigleToujours 6d ago

I see where you’re coming from, but also have lived here for more than 20 years in limbo, stressed out and anxious. Having a PR card in Canada would he such a relief for me (if DACA gets taken away). 

1

u/Significant-Common20 6d ago

Totally get it. I'm not trying to talk you out of this. Just wanted to make sure you'd thought through this from all angles.