An ultimate Guide to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan

1-The Temporary Foreign Worker Program

The Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) is helpful in addressing labor shortages in Canada by enabling employers to temporarily hire foreign nationals. A crucial step in this process is obtaining a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), where employers must demonstrate their inability to find a Canadian citizen or permanent resident for the position. Only after this assessment can they officially hire a foreign national and proceed to apply for a Canadian work permit or permanent residence.

The TFWP encompasses various streams, such as high-wage and low-wage workers, the Global Talent Stream, foreign agricultural workers, in-home caregivers, and foreign academics. Certain streams exempt employers from the LMIA requirement, and some fall within the International Mobility Program.

2-Provincial Nominee Program

Canada’s provinces and territories administer Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) that empower them to nominate individuals possessing specific skills and qualifications. These programs, tailored to meet regional needs, offer a pathway to permanent residency for those interested in immigrating. Each province and territory defines its own PNP streams, such as international student, Express Entry, semi-skilled, and entrepreneur/business streams, each with distinct eligibility criteria and application procedures. Successful candidates nominated by a province or territory can subsequently apply for permanent residency at the federal level.

3-Pursue study in Canada as Pakistani Student 

For Pakistani individuals who are ambitious to pursue higher education in Canada, the initial step involves securing a study permit, a crucial requirement for stays exceeding six months. All application documents, including non-English or French materials, must undergo accurate translation and certification.

Studying in Canada offers numerous advantages, such as language practice, experiencing Canadian cities, and the opportunity for legal employment. Furthermore, spouses can apply for an open work permit.

Upon graduation from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI) in Canada, Pakistanis can pursue a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP). This open work permit, available for programs lasting over 8 months, facilitates gaining field-specific work experience—a vital step for those eyeing permanent residency via the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) within the Express Entry program. An appealing option for Pakistani students is the Student Direct Stream (SDS), ensuring expedited processing of study permit applications for those in Pakistan. This stream commits to processing permits within 20 calendar days, providing a swift pathway to Canadian education.

4-Family Sponsorship

Family Class immigration programs in Canada facilitate the reunion of families, allowing the Pakistani citizens who are Canadian citizens or permanent residents to sponsor their relatives. Eligible family members include spouses, common-law partners, dependent children, and their dependents, providing them an opportunity to become permanent residents in Canada. There are two sponsorship options available:

In-Canada Sponsorship: If the sponsored individual from Pakistan is already in Canada with valid temporary resident status, sponsorship can take place within Canada. In such cases, the sponsored person may also apply for an Open Work Permit, granting them the ability to work for any employer in Canada.

Outland/overseas Sponsorship: This option is designed for Pakistani nationals residing outside of Canada. The sponsorship application must be submitted to the visa office in the country of origin or the country where the individual has legally resided for at least one year.

Additionally, if you have a child who is a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, they may be eligible to sponsor you for permanent residency through the Parental Sponsorship program. This program facilitates the reunification of parents and grandparents with their family members in Canada.

Furthermore, if you are married to a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, you may qualify for spousal sponsorship. This program allows spouses or common-law partners to immigrate to Canada, providing them the opportunity to obtain permanent residency.

5-Express Entry for residency System in Canada

Canada’s Express Entry system provides an efficient route to permanent residency, often processing applications within six months. Points are assigned based on factors like work experience, education, language skills, and adaptability. Those with the highest scores receive Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residency.

For Pakistani individuals interested in Express Entry, three key programs stand out:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class: Tailored for professionals in designated fields, this program evaluates candidates on skilled work experience, language proficiency, education, and other criteria. ITAs are granted to those with the highest scores.

Federal Skilled Trades (FST): Geared towards skilled tradespeople, FST has specific criteria including work experience and language skills. Education requirements are flexible, and having an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) also adds points. The program targets individuals with professional work experience, evaluating them on education, language proficiency, work experience, and adaptability. Meeting the program’s requirements can pave the way to permanent residency in Canada.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC): Ideal for candidates with Canadian work experience, CEC awards points for language skills, education, and adaptability. It stands as one of the fastest routes to Canadian permanent residency.

Steps to applying for Canada Immigration from Pakistan

Following is the process before applying for Canadian immigration:

Select the right immigration program:

Prospective immigrants should precisely research immigration programs aligning with their qualifications, skills, and objectives. A crucial step involves understanding each program’s eligibility requirements, selection criteria, and additional documentation.

Craft an online profile:

For those considering Express Entry, crafting an online profile is essential. This entails providing details about education, work experience, language proficiency, and other relevant information. The Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) then ranks candidates, with the highest-ranked individuals receiving invitations for permanent residency through regular draws.

Collect required and important Documents:

Navigating the diverse pathways from Pakistan to Canada demands attention to distinct requirements. Aspiring immigrants must gather necessary documents, including educational certificates, language test results (e.g., IELTS), employment references, proof of funds, and medical and police clearance certificates. Each immigration program specifies unique document prerequisites.

Submitting the application 

Submit the application accurately, along with the requisite documents, to designated immigration authorities is a pivotal step. This process may involve fees and providing biometric information.

Afterwards, the application undergoes processing by Canadian immigration authorities. The processing time varies based on the chosen program and individual circumstances, with applicants having the ability to track their application status online.