Amidst the ongoing global wave of immigration, new immigrants are increasingly focused on welfare benefits as they integrate into their new environments. Immigration expos, serving as crucial platforms connecting new immigrants with the welfare policies of various countries, not only provide a comprehensive overview of welfare benefits but also become key support for planning their immigrant lives and achieving their immigration status transition.
Healthcare is one of the most pressing welfare concerns for new immigrants. In many countries, new immigrants who meet certain conditions can enjoy free or low-cost healthcare services. For example, in Finland, all legal immigrants, including work visa and entrepreneur visa holders, are entitled to medical services at public hospitals. Medical insurance covers most medical expenses, and the drug subsidy policy is particularly generous; once annual drug purchases exceed a certain amount, the remaining costs are waived, and patients with serious illnesses only need to pay a small fee. Canada also prioritizes healthcare, with the government investing heavily in healthcare benefits annually. Except for dental and ophthalmology services, residents do not pay for doctor’s visits, lab tests, hospitalization, or surgery. Most prescription drugs are provided free of charge to seniors over 65 and those receiving social welfare, providing a solid safety net for the health of new immigrants.
Educational benefits are also a significant factor attracting new immigrants. Many countries offer high-quality educational resources for their children, from kindergarten to university. Finland has a free education system, with students exempt from tuition and textbook fees, receiving a free lunch daily, and university students receiving substantial monthly government subsidies. Low-interest student loans are also available. Canada provides 12 years of free education from first grade to high school graduation, covering regular classes and a wide variety of after-school activities. There are also childcare subsidies for low-income families, easing their financial burden and allowing their children to receive an education without worry.
Regarding family welfare, various countries have introduced numerous policies to provide comprehensive support for new immigrant families. Canada has a “child benefit,” providing welfare to children under 18 based on family income, number of children, and children’s ages, aiming to support low-income families and encourage childbirth. Finland provides newborns with government-provided baby kits or cash subsidies, and both parents share paid parental leave, with social security covering a large portion of their wages during this period, ensuring that new immigrant families do not experience financial pressure when welcoming a new life.
Unemployment and re-employment protection are also key concerns for new immigrants. Canada stipulates that if an applicant becomes unemployed after working continuously for a certain period within a year, they can receive unemployment benefits equivalent to a certain percentage of their former monthly salary, for up to several months. Finland provides a subsidy of a certain percentage of the unemployed’s former salary, for up to two years, and also has a new immigrant adaptation program, including language course subsidies and vocational training, to help new immigrants quickly integrate into the local job market.
Immigration expos, as a grand event gathering global immigration policies and welfare information, provide new immigrants with an excellent opportunity to comprehensively understand and compare welfare benefits in various countries. Here, new immigrants can communicate face-to-face with immigration agencies and welfare departments of various countries, obtain the most authoritative and accurate welfare information, and participate in various thematic lectures and consultation activities to gain a deeper understanding of welfare application procedures and precautions. Through immigration expos, new immigrants can more rationally choose an immigration destination that suits them and plan a better life after immigration. From medical care to education benefits, from family support to unemployment protection, the welfare benefits provided by various countries for new immigrants cover all aspects of life. Immigration expos act as a bridge, connecting new immigrants with these welfare policies, helping them start a new chapter of happiness in their new country.
