Canada is a top destination for UAE citizens looking to immigrate out of the Emirates in search of a better life for themselves and their families.
Since Canada opens its doors to immigrants from all over the world, UAE citizens with the Canadian dream often wonder whether it is easy to immigrate from the UAE to Canada. This brief guide will give you all the answers you need.
Is It Easy to Immigrate from the UAE to Canada?
Immigrating from the UAE to Canada is relatively easy as Canada offers scores of immigration programs that target different categories of immigrants. So, UAE citizens can easily find a program that they qualify for and can use to make their Canadian dream a reality.
Best Permanent Immigration Programs for UAE Citizens
When migrating to Canada, UAE immigrants may choose between programs that offer permanent residency and those that offer temporary residency.
Most UAE citizens immigrating to Canada target permanent residency, which allows them to remain in Canada for as long as they want. The programs that UAE citizens can easily use to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents are:
1. Business Immigration Program
There are two Business Immigration Programs, the self-employed persons’ program, and the Start-up visa program.
The Start-up program is one of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada if you are a UAE citizen able and ready to start a business in Canada.
The requirement includes:
- Having a business that qualifies for the program
- Getting a Letter of Support from a designated entity
- Meeting the language requirements
- Having sufficient settlement funds
2. Economic Immigration Programs
The economic programs facilitate the migration of professionals to settle and work in Canada and contribute to its economy.
The Express Entry (EE) programs are some of the most popular for easily immigrating from the UAE to Canada. When you submit an Express Entry profile, you are added to the pool of EE candidates and ranked using a comprehensive ranking system (CRS).
Candidates with the highest CRS scores are regularly drawn from the pool and invited to apply for permanent residency. So, UAE applicants can easily make it into the list of candidates that receive ITA (invitations to apply) if they boost their CRS scores.
The Express Entry economic programs include:
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The FSWP targets professionals with the requisite education and work experience to fill Skill Type 0, A, or B jobs, according to Canada’s National Occupational Classification system.
The FSWP is the easiest way for skilled workers in the UAE to immigrate to Canada. The minimum requirement includes:
- At least 1-year work experience in a qualifying skilled job
- Meet the language requirements
- Must have an educational credential (and provide an Educational Credential Assessment if the education was completed outside Canada)
- Have sufficient settlement funds
Federal Skilled Trade Program (FSTP)
The FSTP targets people who may not have educational credentials but are qualified in a skilled trade.
If a UAE citizen is skilled in industrial, electrical, or construction trades, equipment operation trades, or technical jobs, the FSTP is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada. The minimum requirements of the FSTP include:
- Have at least 2 years of work experience in a skilled trade
- Meet the language requirements
- Have a certificate of qualification in the trade or a valid job offer in Canada
- Have sufficient settlement funds (but not required if you have a valid job offer)
Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
The CEC targets foreign workers who have Canadian work experience. For UAE citizens who have previously lived and worked in Canada, it is one of the easiest ways to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.
The requirements of the CEC program include:
- At least 1-year work experience in Canada within three years of the application
- Meet the language requirements
An educational credential is not required for the CEC program, but having one will boost your chances.
3. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
The PNPs are programs that make Canadian immigration via Express Entry even easier. Because of the volume of applicants, the Express Entry program can be very competitive.
The PNP allows provinces to identify candidates (from the Express Entry pool) who can fill labour needs, and nominate them for permanent residency. Applying to a PNP helps make your Express Entry profile visible to Canadian provinces and territories that may need you.
Gaining provincial nomination adds 600 additional points to your CRS score, boosting your profile and virtually guaranteeing being invited to apply.
Most Canadian provinces offer nomination programs having different streams that target different categories of immigrants, from students to skilled workers. Therefore, the requirements differ.
However, to immigrate to Canada via the provincial immigration program, you must:
- Meet the specific requirements of one of the province’s programs
- Meet the requirements of the Express Entry program that relates to the provincial program
Best Temporary Immigration Programs
To realize their Canadian dream, many UAE citizens first move to Canada on a temporary visa and later apply for permanent residency. Some of the most popular “temporary resident to permanent resident” pathways are:
1. Work Permit
Professionals in the UAE can immigrate to Canada under different work permits.
One of the most popular is the International Experience Canada (IEC). The UAE is one of the participating countries in the program, which allows youths to travel to and work in Canada for up to two years.
The time spent working in Canada gives valuable Canadian experience and makes you a stronger candidate when applying for permanent residency.
2. Study Permit
Students in the UAE can obtain a Study permit, allowing them to temporarily move to Canada to study at a designated learning institution.
To get the study permit, you only need to:
- Be admitted to study in a designated learning institution in Canada
- Pay applicable fees and have sufficient settlement funds
The Study Permit is usually as long as the duration of the study. Interestingly, many people are able to get a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) which allows them to work in Canada temporarily after completing their studies.
Importantly, the Study Permit gives a Canadian education, while the PGWP gives Canadian experience. Both these things make you a stronger candidate when applying for permanent residency.
Final Thoughts
UAE citizens can easily immigrate to Canada. With Canada having many different immigration programs, UAE citizens can easily find one that they qualify for.
For example, UAE skilled workers can use the Express Entry programs to easily immigrate to Canada. If accumulating enough CRS points for Express Entry is an issue, they can apply through the Provincial Nominee Program to get the point boost.
An even easier route is moving to Canada on a temporary work or study visa, and later transitioning to permanent residency.
If one of these pathways seems appealing to you, then fill out our assessment form to evaluate your chances right now. Get in touch with our professional licensed immigration consultants and we’ll help you out as best we can!
