Given factors like high English proficiency, strong educational backgrounds, and substantial work experience, individuals from Saudi Arabia are well-positioned to qualify for Canada’s immigration programs.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For those who have never lived in Canada, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be the most suitable pathway. This program allows candidates with relevant work experience, even without a job offer in Canada, to apply for permanent residence.

The FSWP is designed for skilled workers who can leverage their foreign work experience, education, language abilities, and other human capital factors to succeed economically in Canada. To qualify, candidates must meet these minimum criteria:

• A minimum of one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the last decade in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• A validated language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all language abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.

FSWP candidates need to score at least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors and demonstrate they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their families upon arriving in Canada.

Steps if You’re Eligible for the FSWP

The FSWP is part of the Canadian government’s Express Entry application management system. Once you confirm your eligibility for the FSWP, you can create and submit your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

After submitting your profile, candidates from Saudi Arabia receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on their human capital factors, including age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Every two weeks, IRCC issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-scoring candidates. The processing standard under Express Entry is typically six months, with a target of admitting over 110,000 permanent residents annually through this system, making it one of the most efficient pathways for skilled workers to gain permanent residence in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Another significant immigration option for Saudi residents is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories, each managing its PNP. This program allows provinces and territories to create tailored immigration pathways based on their specific economic and demographic needs.

Candidates from Saudi Arabia can apply directly through a PNP if they meet the eligibility criteria. Alternatively, they can enter the Express Entry pool and potentially receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream grants candidates an additional 600 CRS points, effectively ensuring they receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a future Express Entry draw.