Canada is aiming for 465,000 new permanent residents in 2023. This objective will rise to 500,000 by 2025. Canada, where over 300,000 Pakistanis currently reside, is one of the top countries from which new immigrants come. Ontario, particularly Toronto, Mississauga, and Milton, is home to the largest population of Pakistanis.
Pakistan is still among the top ten nations where new immigrants arrive in Canada. Between 2016 and 2021, the number of Canadian immigrants born in Pakistan increased by almost 32,000, from 202,260 to 234,110. In addition, 6,400 students from Pakistan visited Canada in 2022 to continue their education.
It is important to be aware of your options and determine which immigration route you are most qualified for in order to increase your chances of success. The best way to immigrate to Canada depends on your specific circumstances and immigration goals.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
Economic immigration is the most popular type of immigration to Canada, with over 100 different immigration routes available. FSWP, or Federal Skilled Worker Program, is one of these routes. The program enables applicants with work experience to submit a permanent residence application even if they do not currently have a job offer in Canada or any other connection to the country.
The FSWP focuses on foreign-skilled workers who would succeed in Canada thanks to their education, work experience, and foreign language skills. The following conditions must be satisfied by applicants in order to be accepted into the program:
- One year of continuous full-time work, or an equivalent paid experience, in a profession that falls under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, or 3 within the previous ten years.
- Validated language proficiency in English or French across all skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) that is equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7; and,
- an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report and a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential.
• at least 67 points on the six criteria used by the IRCC to select immigrants.
• a sufficient sum of money for you to relocate to Canada with your family.
The FSWP is one of the three programs run by the Express Entry system, which is the application procedure used by the Canadian government.
A candidate’s ranking is determined by their performance on the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) after they have submitted an Express Entry profile. Depending on a number of different factors, such as your age, education level, work history, and language proficiency, the CRS will assign you a score out of 600. The top-scoring applicants will then receive invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residence from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC).
Recently, the IRCC also unveiled a brand-new draw selection process for Express Entry candidates based on categories. If a candidate has a strong command of French or work experience in any of the following fields, they may be eligible under the new draw categories:
- Healthcare,
- STEM fields of work,
- construction, plumbing, and other tradespeople,
- Transport Agri-food and agriculture.
500 healthcare professionals were invited to apply for permanent residency during the IRCC’s first-ever category-based draw on June 28.
For more information about the Federal Skilled Worker Program.
Provincial Nominee Program
Another well-liked selection for candidates from Pakistan is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Except for Nunavut and Quebec, each province and territory is given the freedom under the PNP to create its own immigration policies that are tailored to the demands of its labor market, economy, and demographics.
Provinces and territories can nominate foreign professionals to immigrate to their areas through the PNP. To be nominated, a candidate must meet the eligibility requirements of each province.
Candidates may be invited to apply for nomination by a province if they are also in the Express Entry pool; otherwise, candidates may submit their applications directly to the province. In the event that a candidate is nominated through Express Entry, they will receive an additional 600 CRS points and essentially be guaranteed an ITA for permanent residence.
Read here for more information about the Provincial Nominee Programs of Canada.
Work permits
A work permit is typically required for foreign workers to work in Canada. The two programs that issue work permits in Canada are the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TWFP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP). The main difference between the two is that the TWFP requires a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), whereas the IMP does not.
Employers are responsible for submitting the LMIA, which demonstrates to the Canadian government that hiring a foreign worker will have a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian labor market. Typically, in order to submit a work permit application, a Canadian employer must first make a job offer.
Study in Canada
Canada is a very popular destination for international students due to its high standard and affordable education, the availability of pathways to permanent residency after graduation, and the ability to work while enrolled. Data from the IRCC show that in 2022, Canada accepted a record 551,405 foreign students from 184 countries. Another record-breaking number of 807,750 international students with current study visas was present at the end of 2022.
You must first be accepted to a Canadian university in order to study there. Following receipt of your acceptance letter, you should submit an application for a study permit. International students are welcome at more than 1,500 Designated Learning Institutions in Canada. Depending on the length of the study program, international students may be able to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) that will allow them to remain in Canada for up to three years after they graduate.
Having a Canadian education can help you when applying for permanent residence because many federal and provincial immigration programs favor applicants with Canadian education and work experience.
If you are originally from Pakistan and want to relocate to Canada, you have a variety of immigration options at your disposal. It is advised that you speak with a knowledgeable immigration attorney who can walk you through the application process and explain the various programs that are available.