Canada, a land of immense opportunities and multiculturalism, has set ambitious objectives to welcome a huge number of modern permanent residents within the coming years. With its Immigration Levels Plan in place, the country points to accept 465,000 newcomers by the end of 2023 and hit a target of 500,000 by 2025. The United Arab Emirates (UAE) plays a critical part in these plans, with numerous UAE residents looking for opportunities in Canadian sectors such as IT, healthcare, and engineering.
For UAE residents aspiring to become a part of Canada’s diverse community, the most popular route is the Express Entry system under the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP). This route particularly caters to skilled workers within the economic category and positions the UAE as one of Canada’s top sources for Express Entry immigrants.
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is an amazing immigration program for people looking to move to Canada from the United Arab Emirates (UAE). As part of the Government of Canada’s energy management system, Access, the FSWP also includes the Federal Trade Training Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
Designed specifically for skilled workers with relevant work experience, FSWP does not require a job offer or any connections within Canada to apply for permanent residency. The United Arab Emirates consistently ranks among the top countries of origin for Express Entry immigrants. As a result, a majority of UAE residents successfully land in Canada as skilled workers in various fields, with an emphasis on information and technology, healthcare, and engineering-related sectors.
To qualify for this program, candidates must meet specific criteria, including:
- National Occupational Classification (NOC) Matrix TEER category – One year of full-time or equivalent part-time paid employment in a skilled occupation falling within 0, 1, 2 or 3.
- Language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities—reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Possession of a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- A minimum score of 67 points for Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) six selection factors.
- Sufficient funds for settlement in Canada.
The Provincial Nominee Program
In addition to FSWP, the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another popular option for UAE based prospective immigrants seeking a new life in Canada. This program allows individual provinces and territories of Canada – with the exception of Quebec and Nunavut – to create tailored immigration pathways according to their specific economic requirements, job markets, and demographic needs.
For potential candidates from the UAE, PNP offers ample opportunities since each province or territory can nominate suitable skilled workers for immigration based on their unique eligibility criteria. This broad range of selection criteria increases one’s chances of success in matching with a specific province or territory’s requirements.
Under PNP, applicants must first express their interest in a particular province or territory. Once they meet specific eligibility requirements and obtain a nomination from that province or territory, their application will be prioritized within Express Entry.
Work Permits
A significant number of UAE residents come to Canada through work permits, which can be broadly categorized into two programs: the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) and the International Mobility Program (IMP).
- Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP): It is a program where applicants are required to have a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA). The LMIA demonstrates that hiring a foreign worker either has a positive or neutral effect on the Canadian job market. To apply for this program, an applicant typically needs a job offer from a Canadian employer.
- International Mobility Program (IMP): This program does not require an LMIA since its primary goal is to promote Canada’s economic and social policy objectives. Examples of streams under the IMP include Intra-Company Transfers (allowing key personnel from companies with international branches to move to Canada) and Significant Benefit stream (which issues work permits to foreign nationals whose proposed work is deemed important or notable for Canada).
In some cases, applicants can obtain an open work permit that is not tied to any specific employer, allowing them to work in almost any location within Canada.
Study Permits
Canada’s reputation as a leading destination for international students can be attributed to factors such as quality education, affordable tuition fees, and post-graduation benefits. Acquiring a study permit opens up several opportunities for UAE residents seeking Canadian permanent residence.
Studying in Canada offers significant advantages to international students who have completed their post-secondary education. Many federal and provincial immigration programs value Canadian education and work experience, which helps students transition to permanent residents more seamlessly.
Conclusion
Candidates demonstrating eligibility for the FSWP can start their immigration journey by creating an Express Entry profile on the IRCC website. Upon completing their profile, they will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score, which is an essential component of the application process. This score reflects human capital factors such as age, education, language ability, work experience, and others, determining the applicant’s ranking in the pool of candidates.
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Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only, exclusively written and published by IntraSource. The information sourced from “Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC)” should not be considered as legal or professional advice. IRCC’s requirements may change, so consult lawyer/s and receive a professional advice before making decisions or applications.
