Where it's better to immigrate as an Engineer?

Canada, the USA, Australia, Europe, or the Arab countries - where's the best place for an engineer to immigrate? And at the end of the article, I'll share the way how you can immigrate to any country.

Many engineers want to move somewhere but can't decide where. The reasons for relocation vary for everyone; for some, it's the climate, like in my case, for others, it's the political situation in their country, and some want to earn more and advance. Everyone has their reasons.

So, based on your reasons, you need to narrow down the countries where you'd like to immigrate. For example, if you live in a cold climate and your main reason for moving is to get warm place, maybe near the sea, then Canada would immediately be out, and Australia, Asia, or Arab countries would be the option.

I've already explained how to choose a country for relocation and the criteria for assessment in another video, link down below, so now let's focus on your engineering future and opportunities.

If you work on rotation, then it doesn't matter where to live. In 2018, I moved to Cyprus with my wife and two small kids; for me, the main criteria were the year-round warmth, sea, no snow, a high level of safety, and English-speaking schools for kids.

However, if you don't work on rotation, then the question of relocation needs to be taken more seriously. Finding a good civil engineering job abroad or in any other discipline will be the main concern. Also, when immigrating to another country, determine your main goal for immigration - whether it's obtaining a second citizenship, a higher salary, taxes optimization, education for your children, or any other reasons.

Okay, let's go through specific countries and regions. Speaking of immigrating to Arab countries, the main path here is usually finding a job and then moving to another country on a work visa as an expat. Good companies provide full expatriate package, which may include housing, schools, health and life insurance, sometimes even a car.

The downside in Arab countries is that you probably won't ever get a second citizenship, and in many countries, you won't be able to stay longer if you get fired; your residency permit will be immediately revoked. Also, for many people, the downside might be the hot summers and the religious aspects of some Arab countries.

The main advantages of working and living in most Arab countries are the absence of taxes, high salaries, and a high level of safety, well, if we're talking about countries like the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and Oman.

Next is Europe, of course, it's difficult to speak for the entire continent, as there are many countries and each with its own conditions. But, overall, things are very similar, so I'll try to summarize the main pros and cons.

In Europe, like in Arab and Asian countries, there is no any dedicated immigration programs. So if you are not a Citizen of the European Union, you'll need a job offer first. Your employer will then arrange a work visa, and you'll get residency and live in that specific country while you work.

There's something called the European Blue Card, which skilled professionals, with proven engineering expertise, can get. It gives you additional benefits, but let's not delve into details right now. Overall, the approach is similar to Arab countries.

The main advantage of Europe, in terms of immigration, is the opportunity to obtain a second citizenship in 3 to 10 years, depending on the country. Also, there's a high standard of living, advanced healthcare and infrastructure, and mostly good ecology. For engineers, Germany has always been one of the most attractive destinations in Europe due to its industrial strength and job opportunities.

The major downsides include high taxes, low salaries, high prices for almost everything, and few expat job opportunities. Usually, you're hired on local terms, and you have to pay for rent, schooling, utilities, and other expenses yourself, which, when coupled with high taxes, leaves you with very little from your salary.

Next Australia and Canada, located in different parts of the world, but have similar immigration programs. These countries have state immigration programs for skilled workers. So, you can prepare all your documents, immigrate, get residency and work permit and to stay as long as you want. After several years, you can obtain a second citizenship.

I believe as an engineer, you can find work in almost any industry in Australia and Canada, as these are among the countries where engineers have the highest demand. One of the main factors to consider might be the climate - it's generally cold in Canada and warm in Australia, so it's up to you to decide.

So if your goal is simply to earn as much money as possible while saving on taxes and you don't care where to live, then rotational work or moving to Arab countries could be good options. But if your main goal is to get a second citizenship and relocate permanently, then I'd recommend looking into Canada, Australia, or the USA.

Oh, by the way, we forgot about the USA. There are no immigration programs like in Canada or Australia, but there are various types of visas that allow you to move and work there. But it’s not easy to get it. You either need to get a job offer while being at home or if you possess extraordinary talents, to get O1 visa and then move to the USA. It's not all that complicated, but yes, the requirements are tough. You can also try your luck with the Green Card lottery...

As promised at the beginning of the article, I'll now share a way you can immigrate to almost any country - go there to study. For example, you enroll in a master's degree program, typically 1 or 2 years. After graduation, you're given usually 3 to 6 months to find a job, depending on the country. And then, it's up to fate...