Pakistanis are well-positioned to immigrate to Canada due to high levels of English proficiency, education, and relevant work experience, which are key factors considered by Canadian immigration programs.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

If you’re a Pakistani living overseas, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be the best option for you. This program allows candidates with work experience to apply for permanent residency without requiring a job offer or prior connection to Canada.

The FSWP targets skilled workers who can utilize their foreign work experience, education, and language skills to establish themselves economically in Canada. To qualify, candidates must meet the following criteria:

• Work Experience: At least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3 within the past 10 years.
• Language Proficiency: A validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all skills (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• Educational Credentials: Either a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• Points Requirement: A minimum score of 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
• Financial Stability: Proof of sufficient funds to support yourself and your family upon settling in Canada.

Next Steps for FSWP Eligibility

The FSWP is one of three programs managed through the Express Entry system. Once you confirm your eligibility, you can create and upload your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Candidates will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language abilities. IRCC invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residency every two weeks, with a processing standard of six months. The target is to admit over 110,000 permanent residents through Express Entry annually, making it one of the most efficient pathways for skilled workers to obtain permanent residency in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program

Another significant option is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each of Canada’s provinces and territories administers its own PNP, allowing them to create immigration pathways tailored to their specific economic and demographic needs.

Through the PNP, provinces can nominate skilled workers for immigration. Pakistani candidates may apply directly through a PNP if they meet the eligibility criteria or enter the Express Entry pool and receive an invitation for provincial nomination. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream grants an additional 600 CRS points, which virtually ensures an invitation to apply for permanent residency in the next draw.