WES Blog

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact the United States, travel restrictions and processing delays have put many travelers, international students, and long-term residents at risk of overstaying their visas. U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) has drafted several recommendations to guide those who are affected. We’ve summarized their advice below. Related Reading Find Free […]

Twelve million immigrant workers are either employed in essential jobs on the front lines fighting COVID-19 or are facing economic hardship due to the pandemic, per the Migration Policy Institute. Many are employed in sectors experiencing massive layoffs or that lack paid sick leave. Others are afraid to seek health care and essential services because […]

If you are planning to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry, you will need to prove that you can communicate in at least one of the nation’s official languages: English or French. The Canadian government has set a goal to increase its French-speaking immigrant population by 4.4 percent by 2023. Therefore, you might have an advantage […]

Working in a new environment, outside of the structure and familiarity of the office, can be a challenge. You may need to adopt new routines or come up with different ways of achieving work-life balance when working remotely. We asked our team at WES to share some of their advice on how to stay productive […]

Learning new skills is one of the best ways to become more successful in your career. Whether you are looking for a new career opportunity or would like to move into a more senior role, upgrading your skills can increase your chances of reaching your career goals. In most professions, upgrading your skills is highly […]

Friends, In this moment of great uncertainty, we are thinking of you, your staff, and the communities you serve. While the COVID-19 pandemic is still unfolding, one thing is certain: The current public health crisis and related economic disruptions are disproportionately impacting those who are both essential to our communities and most vulnerable in them. […]

As an international student or immigrant professional, it can be very easy to succumb to daily stressors. These might include professional or academic stressors, such as a challenging project or a looming deadline; or personal stressors, such as an argument with a loved one or struggles with cultural adaptation. Luckily, there are many simple practices […]

WES is committed to ensuring the safety and well-being of our employees, applicants, and partners. We take this commitment very seriously, especially during these challenging and uncertain times.  The governments of both the U.S. and Canada have taken numerous steps to contain the COVID-19 virus. These include declaring states of emergencies, temporarily shuttering immigration offices, […]

New Funding Opportunity Seeks Solutions to Support the Success of Immigrants and Refugees  NEW YORK – March 10, 2020 – The World Education Services (WES) Mariam Assefa Fund and the Tarsadia Foundation today announced a joint $1 million grantmaking initiative to support the success of immigrants, refugees, and their communities nationwide. For more information and […]

If you are about to graduate from a college or university in the United States, congratulations! Your future looks bright. All you need now is a little work experience. For many international students, this means obtaining Optional Practical Training (OPT). But are you certain that OPT is the best option for you? What happens afterward? […]

Many international students seek to extend their stay in the U.S. following graduation. In this blog post, WES Ambassador Maddy Lavoie describes the work options available to international students, including Optional Practical Training (OPT) and employer sponsorship. Keep reading to see her advice for those who want to stay and work in the U.S. after […]

Immigrant Serving Organizations (ISO), commonly known as settlement or employment agencies, offer a wide range of support services. Their goal is to help newcomers integrate and find suitable jobs in Canada. Why Does Canada Offer ISOs? Canada is suffering from a labour shortage. A Business Development Bank of Canada study reveals that 39 percent of […]

This year, the H-1B visa lottery will take place earlier than usual. Are you prepared? Typically, the lottery opens in April. However, this year you can begin applying on March 1, 2020. Below, find out what’s changed. Plus, learn to register online for the H-1B visa lottery this March. Why Is the H-1B Lottery Starting […]

The IELTS Academic Reading test can be challenging, so it is important to make sure you are well prepared. Never take any IELTS test for granted. Prepare, prepare, and then prepare some more—the six tips below will help you. Make sure to put them into practice by doing lots of sample tests. You do not […]

Is something in your résumé keeping you from finding a job in the United States? While you might have a great education and plenty of experience, the way that you present this information is what matters most. If you aren’t formatting your résumé correctly, then employers will not even look at it. They will never […]

WES Ambassador Tunde Omotoye started his career as a Human Resources Associate in Nigeria. He certainly understood how the hiring process worked! However, he needed to learn an entirely new process when he immigrated to Canada. (You can read his success story here.)  One of the biggest challenges is learning how to negotiate salary. Below, […]

In the United States, a good credit score can help you achieve your personal and professional goals. However, newcomers do not have a credit score when they arrive in the U.S. This can make it difficult to settle into your new life. For example, you might need to demonstrate that you are reliable with finances […]

When you think about “success,” one thing you probably think about is financial security. If you have recently moved to the United States, you might pursue success by continuing your education or starting a new career. However, getting a great job and saving money isn’t necessarily enough to guarantee financial security. You might also need […]

Why do skilled immigrants have a hard time finding jobs in Canada? Some newcomers struggle to understand and navigate the labour market. Other people might be doing everything right, but employers simply won’t recognize their international experience. Then, there is a group of people who know they need to continue their training in order to […]

For many students, the writing section of the IELTS test can be one of the most challenging. The good news is that careful preparation will go a long way in helping to get the band score you need. Use the six tips below to maximize your chances of success on the writing section of your […]