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If you cannot do anything with ₹50,00,000 in India under normal circumstances, judge yourself correctly—you cannot do it anywhere either. The idea that moving abroad will magically transform your life is a big illusion that many young Indians, especially Punjabis, fall for. The reality is, if you are coming without skills, you won’t get a skilled job abroad either. And if you are migrating with big dreams but only labor jobs waiting for you, then be ready for a hard truth: the dream is far from reality.
The Harsh Truth of Migration
Every year, thousands of people from Punjab spend between ₹30 lakh to ₹50 lakh to migrate to countries like Canada, the US, and the UK. They believe they will recover this money in a few years with higher salaries abroad. But here’s the uncomfortable truth:
- If you couldn’t start a business or secure a high-paying job with ₹50 lakh in India, you likely won’t do it abroad either.
- If you don’t have marketable skills in India, you won’t suddenly become a skilled worker just because you land in Canada or the US.
- Many engineers, graduates, and professionals from India end up delivering food, driving trucks, or working in warehouses because they cannot compete in the skilled job market.
The Reality Behind "Foreign Success"
The dream of foreign success has deeply rooted itself in Punjabi culture, where having a visa to Canada, the US, or the UK is often seen as a status symbol. In many villages, those who stay behind feel like they are missing out, leading families to push their children toward migration at any cost. To make this happen, parents sell land, take massive loans, and pour their life savings into student visas or work permits, believing this will secure a brighter future.
However, reality abroad is far from the glamorous image often portrayed. Securing a skilled job is a major challenge, as foreign employers prioritize candidates with local experience and recognized qualifications, leaving many new immigrants struggling to find stable employment. Instead, they are forced into survival jobs that demand long hours, offer little security, and barely cover the high cost of living. For many, repaying the massive migration debt becomes an uphill battle, stretching over years, often forcing them to take on multiple jobs just to stay afloat. The promise of an easy life in a developed country quickly fades, replaced by exhaustion, financial pressure, and the realization that success abroad is not as simple as it seemed.
Illegal Immigration Is No Longer Tolerated
Look at what is happening around the world. Canada deported 7,300 people in 2024, highest in 10 years, mostly those whose refugee claims were rejected. This news came from MSN Canada, showing how the government there is speeding up removals, with over 1,100 sent back in November alone. In the US, nearly 300 migrants from countries like Iran and India were sent to Panama after deportation, left in a jungle camp with no proper facilities, as reported by MSN World. Even Uber Eats, the app we use for food delivery, has banned thousands of illegal immigrants from working as couriers after finding some were using rented accounts, according to MSN Travel News. Other companies like Deliveroo and Just Eat are also tightening rules with strict ID checks.
Getting rid of illegal immigration has become a big issue globally. Governments and even private companies are not taking chances anymore. In Canada, they spent over 115 million dollars in three years to deport 29,000 people. In the US, migrants are being pushed to third countries like Panama, where 103 are stuck in a jungle camp, refusing to go home. Back home in Punjab, people are spending anywhere between 30,00,000 to 50,00,000 per person to reach these countries, risking lives through jungles and smugglers. But the truth is harsh. Without skills, you cannot get a skilled job there, just like here. Labour work abroad pays little, and the life is tough, far from the big houses and cars in your dreams.
Big Dreams vs. Reality
Many people leave India with big dreams of earning in dollars and living a luxurious life abroad. But the reality is very different. A shared basement in Canada costs as much as a full house rental in India. If you are working as labourer in a factory or warehouse, or trucking, or working as food delivery person, then your all earnings will not suffice to pay the rent and for groocries
This 40 or 50,00,000 is a fortune in India. It can set you up in your own town, maybe in Ludhiana or Jalandhar, with a business or land. But instead, many are handing it to agents, hoping for a miracle. But there is no miracle is waiting. Countries are deporting, companies are banning, and the money is gone. Time to think smart, not just dream big.