Canada has set high targets for new permanent residents, aiming to welcome 465,000 in 2023, with an increase to 500,000 by 2025. Pakistan stands as one of the significant sources of immigrants to Canada, with over 300,000 Pakistani residents currently settled in the country. Predominantly, a large portion of this population resides in Ontario, particularly in Toronto, Mississauga, and Milton.
Being among the top ten countries of origin for new Canadian immigrants, Pakistan has shown a consistent increase. From 2016 to 2021, the number of Canadian immigrants born in Pakistan rose from 202,260 to 234,110, totaling nearly 32,000 individuals. Additionally, in 2022, approximately 6,400 Pakistani students arrived in Canada for educational pursuits.
The most suitable approach for immigrating to Canada relies on your unique circumstances and objectives. Understanding your options and identifying the pathways for which you are most eligible is crucial to maximize your prospects for a successful immigration journey.
Federal Skilled Worker Program:
The most popular way to immigrate to Canada is through economic immigration, which has over 100 available immigration pathways. One of these pathways is the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). The program allows candidates with work experience to apply for permanent residence, even if they do not have a job offer in Canada or have any connection to Canada.
The FSWP targets foreign skilled workers who would be successful in Canada thanks to their foreign work experience, education, and language ability. In order to be eligible for the program, candidates must have:
- One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification
- (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3;
- Validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking); and
- A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- At least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
- Enough money for you and your family to settle in Canada.
The FSWP Is one of the three programs managed under Express Entry, which is the Canadian government’s application system. The other programs include the
Canadian Experience Class and the Federal Skilled Trades Program:
Once an applicant has submitted an Express Entry profile, they will be ranked based on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The CRS will assign a score out of 600 based on individual factors, including age, education, work experience, and language skills. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) will then issue invitations to apply (ITA) for permanent residence to the highest-scoring candidates.
IRCC has recently introduced a new category-based draw selection for Express Entry candidates. Candidates can qualify under the new draw categories if they have a strong proficiency in the French language or possess work experience in the following areas:
Healthcare STEM professions Trades, such as carpenters, plumbers, and contractors Transport Agriculture and agri-food
On June 28th, IRCC held its first-ever category-based draw, inviting 500 healthcare workers to apply for permanent residency.
Provincial Nominee Program:
The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another popular option for candidates from Pakistan. The PNP allows each province and territory (except for Nunavut and Quebec) to design their immigration pathways based on their labor market, economic, and demographic needs.
Provinces and territories nominate foreign skilled workers for immigration through the PNP. Each province has its own eligibility criteria that candidates must meet to be nominated.
Candidates can apply directly to the province; however, those in the Express Entry pool can be invited to apply for nomination by a province. If nominated through Express Entry, candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points, essentially guaranteeing an ITA for permanent residence in an upcoming draw.
Work Permits:
To work in Canada, a foreign worker typically needs a work permit. Canadian work permits are divided into two programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The main difference is that the TFWP requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), while the IMP does not.
The LMIA is the employer’s responsibility and demonstrates to the Canadian government that hiring a foreign worker will have a neutral or positive effect on the Canadian labor market.
In most cases, a job offer from a Canadian employer is required to apply for a work permit. However, there are situations where IRCC allows for open work permits, which are not employer-specific.
Study in Canada:
Canada is a highly popular destination for international students due to its high-quality and affordable education, the opportunity to work while studying, and the available pathways to permanent residency after graduation.
Data from IRCC indicates that Canada welcomed a record 551,405 international students from 184 countries in 2022. Additionally, by the end of 2022, there were 807,750 international students holding valid study permits, marking another all-time high.
To study in Canada, you must first be accepted to a Canadian school. Upon receiving your letter of acceptance, you can then apply for your study permit.
There are over 1,500 Designated Learning Institutions in Canada that accept international students. After graduation, international students may qualify to stay in Canada for up to three years (depending on the program’s length) with a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP).
Moreover, Canadian education can provide an advantage when applying for permanent residence, as many federal and provincial immigration programs value candidates with Canadian education and work experience.
There are numerous immigration options available for individuals originally from Pakistan who wish to settle in Canada. It is advisable to consult with an experienced immigration lawyer who can explain the available programs and guide you through the application process.
