CEBU CITY, Philippines — A Cebu-based migration consultancy firm has observed a greater number of Filipinos migrating abroad, particularly in Canada, all with a common goal of seeking greener pastures overseas.

"The demand to migrate has been increasing significantly,” noted Pinoy Care Visa Center President and Chief Executive Officer Prisca Niña Mabatid. “Because the United States government has become more stringent in their migration rules, Filipinos are now turning to Canada where the rules are more friendly for foreign immigrants.”

Drawing on her experience in her various jobs, Mabatid established PinoyCare Visa Center in 2000. The POEA-licensed company currently provides permanent visa assistance through skilled immigration programs of Canada, New Zealand and Australia’s skilled immigration programs.

According to Mabatid, her company notes at least 100 to 150 new applicants every month, mostly from among high skilled professionals. To date, Pinoy Care Visa Center has facilitated over 1,700 immigration applicants.

"Getting an immigrant visa is a good backup when your life doesn't turn out well here. Once you have the visa, you book a flight and bring your entire family to start a new life abroad," she told media members in an interview.

Currently, the Canadian Embassy has downgraded its 38 employment category to 29. The top five jobs that offer higher employment opportunities are those in the medical profession including doctors and nurses as well as engineers, architects, and hotel and restaurant managers and workers.

Mabatid has also advised OFWs (overseas Filipino workers) affected by the upheaval in Libya to apply for migration to Canada, considering their skills and experience.

The 34-year-old businesswoman, who was named one of last year's Outstanding Cebuano Awardees in the field of entrepreneurship, has managed to open four offices in the country — Cebu, Manila, Davao and Zamboanga — in a span of 10 years. It also has operations in Abu Dhabi and Kuwait.

She revealed that her company is investing some P20 million for its business expansion this year. Such expansion will include opening more sites in the Philippines, that is, in Bacolod, Iloilo and Cagayan de Oro, and in other countries like Pakistan and India.