Before coming to Canada from Iran in 2020, Hamed Heydarzadeh and his wife Mansooreh Fereidooni sold off their car as well as most of their assets, and paid a private tutor for a year to boost their English proficiency.

Five years and $50,000 later, they are considering leaving, as getting permanent residency (PR) is an uphill battle. If it doesn’t come through, they’ll have to go home, or start from scratch — again — in another country.

For decades, Canada was a top destination for immigrants, seen as a stable and safe place to live with a clear path to permanent residency. But now, many recent newcomers say it’s an expensive and often futile endeavour. CBC spoke with 50 such newcomers from across Canada, who came using varying immigration streams, about their journeys. Most felt that the cost of the Canadian dream doesn’t reflect its value, and they’re deliberating staying — if they even can.

And with the federal government recently tightening immigration policy in response to backlash, that’s set to only become more competitive.

When Heydarzadeh’s wife Fereidooni was admitted to Canada College in Montreal, he came to the country as well, on a work permit. With 10 years of experience in oil and gas back in Iran, he had gotten a job in production at a plastic recycling company. The couple had chosen Quebec for its relatively smooth pathway to PR, he said.

However, a month before their arrival, rules changed drastically, with Quebec eventually pausing the immigration program for which Heydarzadeh had gotten his job.

He got a new job as a supervisor in chemical manufacturing, and relocated to Vancouver. The couple had to pay rent in two cities.

In early 2023, he submitted his application for permanent residency. The processing time is usually about six months. 

He got no update until March 2024, when he was asked about his military service in Iran. Heydarzadeh served four months in 2009 with the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps, the hardline branch of the Iranian Armed Forces that the Canadian government listed as a terrorist entity in June. (Iranian men must serve in the military once they turn 18, and typically cannot choose the branch.)

After providing his supporting documents, he says his application has been with the Canada Border Services Agency since October 2023. He and his wife have both relocated to B.C. in the meantime.

“I'm frustrated because there is no stability in my life. We still don't have a kid because our status in Canada isn’t determined,” he said.

“We can’t make decisions for the future. It's really stressful.”

Now, his PR application might be at risk: His employer is closing shop permanently by March, and his application is only valid with a job offer. Meanwhile, his work permit expired over the summer, and he’s waiting on a renewal.

In hindsight, Heydarzadeh said he is very thankful that he didn’t sell off his apartment in Iran. 

Before coming to Canada, Heydarzadeh had considered Australia as an alternative, and now regrets not taking it. He has begun researching a possible pivot.

“Australia and Canada were the best ones in terms of the clarity and straightforward path to get PR, and I chose Canada,” he said.

“But after four years, the system is broken now because of immigration policies. [Justin] Trudeau broke the system. All this is for the election.”

Heydarzadeh said a former coworker from Iran had asked him about moving to Canada two years ago. After he shared his thoughts on Canada’s job market, his friend decided to move to Australia instead, and has already gotten his PR, he said.

“It was very easy for him, and now I wish I would’ve done that.”