In the Express Entry Pool Without French or a Job Offer? What Comes Next?

For skilled immigrants in the Express Entry pool without French, a job offer or a Canadian degree, the path to permanent residence can feel uncertain. With recent changes to Express Entry and Ontario's immigration programs, what should candidates do next? In the third episode of the collaboration between The Newcomers and Canadian Immigrant, Canadian Immigrant Editor Baisakhi Roy and The Newcomers host Dozie speak with Veronica Sepehr, an RCIC and founder of Westdale Immigration Consulting Inc., about navigating the changing immigration landscape. They discuss Ontario's Workforce Stream, common misconceptions about the program, and what a Plan C can look like when a work permit is nearing expiry. Sepehr also explains why applicants may need to provide more evidence of foreign work experience and why having a few trusted sources of immigration information matters. The conversation also explores a practical approach to immigration planning: understanding what candidates can control — such as improving language scores — and what they cannot, such as age-related CRS points, while being realistic about the financial and emotional costs of keeping multiple options open.