Ask HN: Relocating to another country during the pandemic

In March 2020 I got a job offer for a major software company in Canada. I have been waiting for my work visa since then.

I picked Canada because common sense said its immigration system was excellent. I have learned from experience it is far from that. After over a year waiting and with no light at the end of the tunnel, I'm mentally depleted and am considering giving up and trying someplace else.

My questions: do you have firsthand experience on immigrating during the Covid pandemic? Do you know of countries that sponsor works visas right now? I'll probably end up waiting (sunken cost fallacy), but if anything it would be reassuring to know there are other options.