Thanks to high English proficiency, solid educational qualifications, and extensive work experience, individuals from the UAE are well-positioned to qualify for Canada’s immigration programs.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

For those who have not previously lived in Canada, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be the ideal pathway. This program allows candidates with relevant work experience to apply for permanent residence without needing a job offer or prior connection to Canada.

The FSWP focuses on skilled workers capable of leveraging their foreign experience, education, language skills, and other human capital factors to succeed in Canada. Candidates must meet the following minimum requirements:

• At least 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 categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• Validated language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential accompanied by an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.

Applicants must 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 one of three programs managed under Canada’s Express Entry system. Once you confirm your eligibility, you can submit your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

After submission, candidates from the UAE will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors like age, education, work experience, and language ability. IRCC issues invitations to apply for permanent residence to the highest-scoring candidates approximately every two weeks. The processing standard for Express Entry applications is typically six months, with a target of admitting over 110,000 permanent residents each year. This makes Express Entry one of the most efficient pathways for skilled workers seeking permanent residence in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another significant option for those living in the UAE. Canada consists of ten provinces and three territories, most of which manage their PNPs. This program allows provinces and territories to create customized immigration pathways based on their economic and demographic needs.

UAE residents may 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, virtually ensuring an invitation to apply for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.