*2.3. System-Level Factors*

Immigrants' success in professional integration in the host country may be determined by several systematic support-related factors, such as information and guidance, adequate access to necessary resources and neutral services, etc. However, the information that immigrants receive before arrival is often unreliable and more optimistic [58], which gives them the illusion of abundant economic and employment opportunities compared to their home country. The real scenario in Canada is different. For example, relevant websites do not provide sufficient information for understanding the difficulties associated with entering into regulated professions, which delays skilled immigrants' access to desired regulated occupations [59]. There is also a lack of written and authentic immigration-related resources available based on which immigrants could perform a cost-benefit analysis before migrating to Canada [42]. Studies show that skilled immigrants would have been better prepared for the Canadian system of preferences or would have taken qualification accreditation exams if they had received practical guidance before and/or after arriving in Canada [8,60,61].

The requirement for money to pay for several prerequisite exams or further study is another issue that forces immigrants to work in survival occupations. The potential cost and delay in obtaining license and registration forces skilled immigrants to work lower-paid jobs until they obtain registration and authorization to work [62]. Sometimes immigrants need to study further to get their foreign credentials accredited and work experiences recognized, which mostly leaves them in a frustrating situation [11]. Research shows that new immigrants can overcome their problems by participating in additional formal education after arriving in Canada [63]. That is, despite their higher levels of credentials, skilled immigrants need to invest time and money to become eligible to find work in the field related to their previous experience and education [64].

Systemic racism may also be observed when employers systematically deprive immigrants and/or racialized people of equitable job opportunities based on certain rules, policies, and practices at the institutional or structural level [27]. Evidence shows that although many immigrants arrive in Canada with high expectations, they frequently experience racial and ethnic discrimination once they are here [65]. Even if the foreign professional experience meets the Canadian standard, skilled immigrants are sometimes not recognized by the licensing body and/or employer [66]. Evidence also shows that employers have allegedly turned down Chinese women immigrants who obtained licenses based on their prior work as nurses or engineers in their countries, claiming that the quality of their country experiences was insufficient [67]. Therefore, a racist mentality of employers undervaluing the skills of immigrants creates a barrier to them pursuing their desired career, which in turn creates difficulty integrating into the Canadian way of life.
