How To Get Work Permit For Canada From Pakistan

This article is a step by step guide on How to Get Work Permit for Canada from Pakistan. Before you apply for a Canada Visa for working, you must know what are the documents required in your case.

Canada may not be the first country that springs to mind when you want to emigrate, but it is a very popular destination for skilled workers and has received thousands of applications from Pakistani nationals over the last few years.Applicants will need to apply for a work permit before travelling to Canada. This is issued by Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) who, in turn are responsible for the overall management of immigration in Canada. The work permit application process can be time consuming and complex, so it’s important you employ the services of a reputable immigration lawyer who is familiar with all of the rules and regulations surrounding this type of application.

The attraction of the welfare magnet is that it’s so powerful. Even people who want to immigrate for other reasons will generally go wherever there is a welfare magnet.

For many of those people to whom Canada is the land of dreams, the process of getting a work visa can be quite frustrating. To bring more stability in lives of these individuals and to address this issue, the Government of Canada has come up with a program known as Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), which is also referred to as Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program. By virtue of this program, the government has succeeded in bringing thousands of people to Canada each year and has helped them in providing their visa credentials before their departure for the country.

How To Get Work Permit For Canada From Pakistan

The government of Canada has made a new regulation for the skilled trades workers from countries other than Canada and US. This is applicable to the international students who are currently studying in colleges and universities of Canada on study permits. This allows them to work on campus without applying the employment permit or working visas

A study permit is a document issued by the Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC). It permits a foreign student to enter Canada with the intention of studying at a designated institution. Depending on the kind of study permit you have, it will determine how long you can stay in Canada.

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isit Canada from Pakistan

Nationals from Pakistan enjoy coming to Canada as visitors, whether to see family, friends, or the country’s great landscapes and friendly people. To come to Canada as a visitor, nationals of Pakistan need to apply for a Temporary Resident Visa.

To qualify for a visa, the applicant must:

Be in good health
Have a valid passport or other travel document
Have no criminal convictions
Have no immigration-related convictions
Demonstrate ties to home country (i.e., a job, home, financial assets, or family) that are incentives for the applicant to return home at the end of the permitted stay
Have sufficient funds for the stay (The amount of money needed varies based on how long one stays and whether accommodations are a hotel, friends, or relatives).

There are 2 categories of documents that need to be provided 1) Government Forms and 2) Personal Documents.

Government Forms that need to be completed are:

Application for Temporary Resident Visa (IMM5257)
Family Information form (IMM5707)
Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union (IMM5409)
Use of a Representative (IMM5476)
Authority to Release Personal Information to a Designated Individual (IMM5475)

2. Personal Documents that need to be provided are:

Receipt for fees paid to a Visa Office or Visa Application Centre (VAC)
A photocopy of the information page of a travel document
Proof of financial means
Photocopy of marriage certificate/license
Purpose of travel
Photocopy of documents pertaining to current immigration status

The applicant may also need a medical exam and letter of invitation from someone who lives in Canada.

Once the fees are paid and the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a letter from the Visa Office or the VAC (Letter of Instruction) confirming the need for biometric data to be provided and directives on where to go. This letter must be presented when going to the Biometrics appointment. Locations where Biometric data can be provided is listed at the following site: https://www.cic.gc.ca/englis/information/where-to-give-Biometrics.asp

* Additional 3rd party fees that applicants may need to pay include educational credential assessments or language testing. Based on the specific circumstances, the instruction guide will outline what fees are required from the applicant.

Things to Keep in Mind!

! All foreign nationals must be admissible to Canada. In other words, applicants from Pakistan must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate.

! Not being truthful on an application, by withholding pertinent information or answering dishonestly is called “misrepresentation” and can result in not only a refusal of the application and but also possibly barring him/her from applying for resident status (inadmissible) for up to 5 years.

Permanent Residency in Canada from Pakistan

The “Express Entry” online system for immigrating to Canada processes applications as quickly as six months. The applicant creates a Profile to apply for Permanent Residence (PR) status and completes the sections, resulting in points being awarded to each category of the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The goal of the point system is to forecast the likeliness of the applicant succeeding in their life in Canada if they were to be granted permanent resident status. Factors taken into consideration for the evaluation are: the applicant’s previous work experience, training, knowledge, and what they have to offer socially and economically. The Government of Canada extends an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent resident status to candidates scoring the highest number of total points.

Pakistani nationals wishing to immigrate to Canada may want to consider the following Express Entry programs:

Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Class allows Pakistani nationals with training and experience in designated professions to apply for permanent residency in Canada. CRS Points are earned depending on skilled work experience, English/French language abilities, education, proof of funds, admissibility, and other factors (including age, existence of a job offer, and adaptability). Depending on the applicant’s ranking, an ITA to apply for permanent residency will — or will not — be sent to them by the government. ITAs are sent to those with the highest scores.

Nationals of Pakistan applying through this stream must provide evidence of their skilled work experience, as outlined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system, in one of the following job groups:

Managerial job (Skill Type “0”) – in areas such as factories, offices, or resorts.
Professional job (Skill Level “A”) – such as architects, accountants, lawyers, teachers, medical workers.
Technical job and skilled trades (Skill Level “B”) – such as chefs, plumbers, electricians.

The following process outline is only for applicants seeking to reside in provinces outside of Québec, as that province has its own selection process for skilled workers.

Skilled Work

Nationals of Pakistan, applying for this stream must demonstrate that, they previously gained experience and performed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description, including all essential duties and most of the main duties for the job (with the same NOC code) that they are seeking to work in upon immigrating to Canada. The previous professional experience must have been paid work (not internships or volunteer service) and gained within the last 10 years, for at least one continuous year of employment.

Note: Both full-time and part-time employment periods qualify, based on the hours earned. Student work experience may also count so long as the work was paid, was continuous and meets other requirements of the program.

Language

Pakistani nationals applying for this stream must take an approved English and/or French language test for reading, writing, listening, and speaking and earn a minimum score of 7 of the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) in all four areas. Note: Results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence.

Education

Nationals of Pakistan, with credentials from countries other than Canada, must provide the following for the FSW stream of the Express Entry system:

From a recognized institution, provide a diploma, degree, or trade apprenticeship certificate proving the completion of study/training

AND

2. From a designated organization, an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes to show the education is equal to a completed certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

Note: If the applicant has completed studies at a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution then a certificate, diploma, or degree must be provided.

Proof of Funds

To settle in Canada, when seeking to immigrate to Canada through certain programs in the Express Entry system, Pakistani applicants must show that they have sufficient funds for not only themselves but also for any family joining them. (For individuals who are already legally working in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer, this requirement is waived).

Admissibility

Any foreign national applying to immigrate to Canada must be admissible to Canada. In other words, the national of Pakistan must be healthy and safe to immigrate. The most common reason applicants are found to be inadmissible to Canada is DUI (drunk-driving). Anyone with a criminal conviction must have been approved for criminal rehabilitation to be granted PR status in Canada.

Other reasons for which applicants may be denied admission to Canada may be:

Security reasons (i.e., espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes)
Medical reasons (i.e., health conditions that are a risk to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services)
Misrepresentation (i.e., providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions)
Having an inadmissible family member.

Note: Applicants from Pakistan who are seeking to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream of the Express Entry process are not required to show they have enough money for themselves and their family if joining them because this requirement is waived for individuals who are currently able to legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.

Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

Pakistani nationals seeking to immigrate to Canada through the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) stream of the Express Entry online system, must demonstrate that for the trades work they seek to do in Canada:

They have previously performed all the duties that are outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description of the skilled trade, including all essential duties and most of the main duties
The prior skilled trade experience was gained in a paid role with the same NOC code as the job that the applicant is seeking to work in upon immigrating to Canada
The skilled trade experience was gained after qualifying to independently practice the trade
The skilled trade experience was gained within the last 5 years before applying
The skilled trade experience was at least 2 years of full-time work (or an equal amount of part-time work experience)

Language

Pakistani nationals applying through the FST stream, must take an approved English and/or French language test. The tests assess listening, speaking, reading, and writing abilities according to the Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB).

For listening and speaking a minimum level 5 is required
For reading and writing a minimum of level 4 is required

The results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence.

Education

There is no education requirement for the FST immigration stream, however if an applicant from Pakistan wants to improve their CRS ranking in the Express Entry pool, they can do so by having past education included in the points by doing either of the following:

Points can be earned for a certificate, diploma, or degree from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution if the applicant has had prior education in Canada.

If the applicant has had prior education abroad, points can be earned by having an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) completed by a designated organization, showing that the education earned outside of Canada is equal to either a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

Provincial/Territorial Trades Assessment

Pakistani nationals applying to the FST immigration stream will need to have the province/territory where they wish to live assess their experience by the governing body that regulates that trade in the given province/territory. Below is the list of links to websites for each province’s/territory’s specific details about Certificates of Qualification for the trades, as well as outlines of how these certificates can be earned. Based on the outcome of this assessment the Canadian employer might later need to provide the applicant worker with specific experience or training to bridge the gap.

The Canadian Centre for International Credentials provides a comprehensive summary of who regulates the trades for cases where a trade is not found under a provincial/territorial body: https://www.cicic.ca/935/find_an_occupational_profile.canada?search=&cat=1&tp=7.

Proof of Funds

Nationals from Pakistan applying to the FST to settle in Canada, must prove that they have sufficient funds for themselves (and any family member joining them).

More information about financial requirements for the FST process can be found at: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/immigrate-canada/express-entry/documents/proof-funds.html

Admissibility

When applying for the FST stream, foreign nationals must be admissible to Canada, considered healthy and safe to immigrate. The most common reason foreign nationals are found to be inadmissible to Canada is DUI (drunk-driving). If applicants have a criminal conviction, he/she must have been approved for criminal rehabilitation to be granted PR in Canada.

Other reasons for which Pakistani nationals may be denied admission to Canada could be:

Security reasons (i.e., espionage, violence, terrorism, war crimes, previous convictions of crimes)
Medical reasons (i.e., health conditions that are a risk to the public or cause excessive demand on health/social services)
Misrepresentation (i.e., providing false information or withholding information related to government decisions)
Having a family member who is inadmissible

Note: Applicants from Pakistan, seeking to immigrate to Canada through the Canadian Experience Class stream of the Express Entry process, are exempt from having to demonstrate having enough money for themselves (and their family if joining them), to settle in Canada. This requirement is waived for individuals who can legally work in Canada at present or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer.

Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

For applicants of Pakistan who have worked in Canada, the Canadian Experience Class (CEC) stream of the Express Entry process evaluates skilled work performed while employed in Canada. Other areas that the CRS assigns points for are: English/French language abilities, education, admissibility, and other factors (including age, existence of a job offer, and adaptability). The Government of Canada then extends ITAs to the top-ranking applicants in the pool.

Skilled Work Experience

Applicants of Pakistani nationality wishing to apply for permanent residency in Canada through the CEC stream must provide proof that they have done skilled work in Canada in at least one of the following roles, as outlined by the National Occupation Classification (NOC) system:

Managerial job (Skill Type “0”) – in areas such as factories, offices, or resorts.
Professional job (Skill Level “A”) – such as architects, accountants, lawyers, teachers, medical workers.
Technical job and skilled trades (Skill Level “B”) – such as chefs, plumbers, electricians.

Applicants must show that, while legally working in their occupation in Canada, they performed the duties outlined in the lead statement of the NOC description for which they are applying to work in Canada, including all essential duties and most of the main duties.

Note: This experience must have been completed in the last 3 years before applying and total 1 year full-time (or equal amount in part-time)!

Note: The CEC stream does not accept Canadian work experience that the Pakistani national gained while studying, through self-employment or during a co-op term towards the minimum experience requirements

Language

Applicants from Pakistan must complete an approved English and/or French language test to determine whether they meet the minimum communication requirements for the profession or trade intended to work in upon immigrating to Canada, by evaluating Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) levels for reading, writing, listening, and speaking.

The Level 7 (in all 4 areas of testing) is the minimum requirement for NOC 0 or A jobs and Level 5 (in all 4 areas) for NOC B jobs. Test results are valid for 2 years after the date of the test results and must be valid on the day of application for permanent residence.

Education

For the CEC stream there is no education requirement. However, any applicant of Pakistan who wishes to improve their ranking in the Express Entry pool can have additional CRS points assigned to their past education. This can be done in one of two ways:

If the Pakistani national’s past education was obtained in Canada, points can be earned for completion of a certificate, diploma, or degree at a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

If the Pakistani national’s past education was obtained abroad, points can be earned by having an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) completed by a designated organization, to show that the education is equal to completion at either a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

Note: Nationals of Pakistan, applying to immigrate to Canada through the CEC stream of the Express Entry process, are not required to prove sufficient funds for themselves and any family joining them to settle in Canada as this requirement is waived for individuals who can legally work in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canada-based employer at the time of applying.

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) – Ontario & British Columbia

Allowing provinces and territories to select their own immigration candidates based on their own economic needs, the Federal Government allocates an immigration quota to each province and territory. The Provincial Nominee Program gives applicants an opportunity to apply through the province rather than through a federal program (such as the FSW, FST or CEC).

There are 12 provinces/territories offering their own, independent, immigration programs and streams. The criteria and eligibility requirements vary for each, depending on their economic needs and the industries in which they need to fill shortages. Each province/territory offers anywhere from 3-8 immigration streams.

While there are over 50 PNP streams, they can be broken down into the following categories.

International Student Streams – This category of streams allows nationals from Pakistan, who have recently graduated from a Canadian college/university, to apply to permanently reside in the province. Please note that most International Student Streams candidates require a job offer post-graduation.

Express Entry Streams – This category of streams is for applicants from Pakistan who have already created an Express Entry Profile. The applicant must approach the province or territory where they wish to immigrate to, expressing their interest. If the province or territory approves the application, the application will be allocated an additional 600 CRS points, improving the overall ranking significantly. Based on the score compared to other applicants, the province or territory then sends the top-scoring applicants an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for PR status, nominating them to be a “Candidate” of their Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs).

Semi-Skilled Streams – This category of streams allows for the province or territory to bring foreign nationals to Canada who are semi-skilled in occupations that fall under NOC Levels C and D. While Level C jobs usually require completion of high school and job-specific training (i.e., industrial butchers, long-haul truck drivers, and food/beverage servers), Level D jobs usually provide on-the-job training (i.e., fruit pickers, cleaning staff, oil field workers). This helps the province fill shortages in semi-skilled occupations.

Entrepreneur/Business Streams – This category of streams is for entrepreneurs or investors from Pakistan, looking to create a new business or invest into one of Canada’s provincial or territorial businesses. The eligibility criteria require:

A minimum net worth
A minimum investment
Creation of a minimum amount of full-time Canadian jobs

The amounts for each criterion vary according to the province or territory being applied to.

After the Pakistani national has been nominated by the province or territory, they become “Candidates” and can apply for permanent residency with IRCC. This application must be submitted online or by paper depending on the immigration stream.

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

The Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP) falls under the Express Entry stream. Once the Pakistani applicant has created a Profile in the Express Entry online system, he/she needs to contact the province of Ontario to express interest in immigrating. The Government of Ontario will assess the application based on the skills, education, and work experience of the applicant to determine how they could contribute to the province. If it is determined that this applicant from Pakistan meets all the criteria and that immigration to Ontario would be beneficial to the province, an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency will be sent, nominating him/her as a nominee of the OINP. To apply for the OINP the applicant must submit an online copy.

Websites, with instructions on how to apply for provincial or territorial programs (PNPs) can be found here:

Note: For each province/territory to reach their specific immigration targets (i.e., students, skilled workers, business investors, etc.), each has their own streams and, accordingly, their own requirements.

Candidates from Pakistan, who are sent an ITA for the OINP must apply for Permanent Resident status online. However, other provinces/territories may require paper copies.

Paper Based Process

If a paper based copy permanent residence application is required by the province or territory nominating the Pakistani national, then the application goes via a non-Express Entry stream.

The application process for permanent residence, for provinces or territories requiring paper based applications, is as follows:

Complete and submit the paper application package for permanent residence (which included an Instruction Guide and all necessary government forms), available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/application-forms-guides/application-package-provincial-nominees.html
Complete and submit the Medical Exam, available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/medical-exams.html
Complete and submit a Police Character/Clearance Certificate, available here: https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/services/application/medical-police/police-certificates/how/pakistan.html
Pay application fees (including processing fees for oneself and any relative coming with the applicant, Right of Permanent Residence fee, biometric fees, and applicable third-party fees)* at https://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/fees/pay.asp
Submit the application with Proof of Payment for all required fees to the location indicated in the Instruction Guide.

Once the fees are paid and the application is submitted, the applicant will receive a letter (Letter of Instruction) confirming the need for biometric data to be provided and directives on where to go. This letter must be presented when going to the Biometrics appointment. Locations where Biometric data can be provided is listed at the following site: https://www.cic.gc.ca/englis/information/where-to-give-Biometrics.asp

* Additional 3rd party fees that applicants may need to pay include educational credential assessments or language testing. The instruction guide will outline what fees apply to the applicant, based on their specific circumstances.

Online Process

If the Pakistani national is interested in applying for permanent residency by obtaining a nomination from a province or territory that offers the PNP via the Express Entry process, he/she has two options for applying:

The Pakistani national can contact the province/territory and then apply for a nomination through the Express Entry stream. If the province/territory provides a nomination, an Express Entry online profile needs to be created (or existing profiles updated) to show a nomination has been made.

The Pakistani national create an Express Entry profile as part of the application for permanent residency and shows provinces/territories he/she is seeking to reside there and that a nomination is sought. When a province/territory sends a “Notification of Interest” the applicant can contact that province/territory and applies to the Express Entry stream to await a nomination to the account.

Note: For either process, applicants must pass a Medical Exam and provide a Police Character/Clearance Certificate, which both need to be submitted as part of the application.

Things to Keep in Mind!

! Québec does not have a PNP. Information about their immigration streams can be found at: http://www.immigration-Québec.gouv.qc.ca/en/

! Paper-based, non-Express Entry applications have longer processing times than Express Entry online applications.

! Whichever process Pakistani nationals apply through, they must meet the eligibility requirement(s) of the province/territory that they are applying to reside in.

! Regardless of which process Pakistani nationals apply through, if they receive an ITA they must submit an electronic application for permanent residency.

! All foreign nationals must be admissible to Canada. In other words, applicants from Pakistan must be considered healthy and safe to immigrate.

Study Permit Application from Pakistan

Pakistani nationals seeking to study in Canada for more than 6 months are required to obtain a study permit. All documents for a study permit application provided by the applicant must be in one of Canada’s two official languages (English or French). If the original document is in neither language, a certified translation is required.

The forms and documents required for the student permit application consist of 1) General Government Forms and 2) Country-Specific Forms. Supporting documents, for both checklists must be provided by the applicant.

General Government Forms & Documents Required for Study Permit Applications

Government Forms

1) Document Checklist [IMM5483] – the checklist must be followed and completed.

2) Application for Study Permit Made Outside of Canada [IMM1294] – this application form must be completed online; the generated barcode must be printed and included in the application. Make sure to include email address, otherwise the application may be delayed or refused. Note: If any of the questions from 3 to 6 were answered “Yes” then a Schedule 1 Form (Application for Temporary Resident Visa – IMM 5257B) must be completed, signed, and submitted. Pakistani applicants currently serving (or have served) in a military, security or police organization must attach their résumé, issued by their organization.

3) Family Information Form [IMM5707] – must be completed, signed, and submitted with the application. If applicable, a Statutory Declaration of Common-Law Union [IMM5409] must also be completed and submitted with the application.

4) Use of Representative [IMM5476] – must be completed, signed, and submitted if the applicant is using or cancelling an Authorized Representative (i.e., Licensed Immigration Consultant or Lawyer).

5) Authorization to Release of Personal Information to a Designated Individual [IMM5475] – this form must be completed if the applicant authorizes Citizenship and Immigration Canada (CIC) and Canada Border Services (CBSA) to release personal information to a 3rd party, someone other than the student themselves.

6) Custodian Declaration [5646]– in cases where the applicant is a minor (under 17 years of age) this form must be completed, signed, and submitted.

Supporting Documents Needed from Applicant

1) Letter of Acceptance from Institution – a letter from the school in Canada that has accepted the Pakistani applicant to its program is required to show acceptance. The letter must be on official letterhead and include: course/program title, tuition fees to be paid, duration/dates of studies, start/end dates, and latest possible date of registration.

2) A Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) y MIDI – if the student from Pakistan is applying to study in Québec, this certificate needs to be provided. The school can assist Pakistani applicant with obtaining this document.

3) Proof of Funds/Financial Support – for students intending on staying in Canada less than 1 year, proof needs to be provided to cover the cost (of studies, living expenses and expenses for any other relative accompanying the Pakistani student) for the duration of the stay. For students enrolling in a program that is beyond 1 year, proof of the ability to cover the cost (of studies, living expenses and expenses for any other relative accompanying the Pakistani student), must be provided for 1 full year.

Proof of Funds can be a combination of the following:

Proof of a Canadian bank account in your name if you’ve transferred money to Canada
Guaranteed Investment Certificate (GIC) from a participating Canadian financial institution
Proof of either a student or education loan (from financial institutions)
Bank statements (going back at least 4 months)
A bank draft (convertible to CAD)

isit Canada from Pakistan

Permanent Residency in Canada from Pakistan

Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)

Study Permit Application from Pakistan

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