Immigrate to Canada from Kuwait
Making a decision to emigrate from Kuwait to Canada, without having all the information at hand, can be very challenging.
Surfing the Web to find the answers, feeling frustrated and overwhelmed with the findings or not finding enough information – that’s also part of the process, which is normal.
This article will, hopefully, answer all of the most important questions that you might have and help you feel confident in your decision about moving to Canada from Kuwait. Let’s dive in…
Table of Contents
Eligibility Criteria for Immigration to Canada from Kuwait?
If you are a Kuwaiti citizen and thinking about immigrating to Canada as a permanent resident, you must meet the following general criteria:
- You must have a valid reason for coming to Canada, such as work, study or family sponsorship.
- You must have the means to support yourself and your family while living in Canada.
- You must be in good health and have no criminal record.
- You must meet the minimum English or French language requirements.
- You must have sufficient funds to cover your costs of travel, settlement and living expenses after moving to Canada.
What Visa Programs Are Available to Immigrate to Canada from Kuwait?
The most common visa programs for people immigrating to Canada from Kuwait are the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class Program.
There are also a number of Canada Provincial Nominee Programs that may be available, depending on the province or territory you are interested in.
Here is a list of several of the Canadian immigration programs that are available and their description:
- Study Permit
A Study Permit to Canada is a document that will allow you to attend a Canadian educational institution.
The Study Permit is issued by a Canadian embassy or consulate in the applicant’s country of residence.
To be eligible to apply for a Study Permit, you will need to meet certain requirements, such as having been accepted by a designated Canadian educational institution and demonstrating that you have enough funds to cover the tuition and living expenses in Canada.
Once you have your letter of acceptance from the designated educational institution in Canada, you can apply for the Study Permit.
- Canadian Experience Class Program
The Canadian Experience Class (CEC) Program is for temporary foreign workers and international students who have at least 1 year of full-time paid skilled work experience in Canada during the previous 3 years.
The applicant must also satisfy the English or French language requirements and other criteria.
Application for immigration to Canada from Kuwait through the CEC Program is made using the Express Entry system.
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Canada Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) is a Canadian immigration program that allows skilled workers to become permanent residents of Canada.
This point-based Canadian immigration program requires a skilled foreign worker to receive at least 67 out of 100 points for six selection factors: English or French language skills, education, relevant work experience, age, valid job offer, and adaptability.
Another eligibility requirement for the FSWP is to have at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience during the past 10 years in an eligible occupation which is classified by the 2021 National Occupation Classification (NOC) as being at TEER Skill Level 0, 1, 2 or 3.
If the applicant’s education was received outside of Canada, then he or she will need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA).
A passing score must be achieved on an approved evaluation test for the English language (such as the IELTS General Training Exam) or French (such as the TEF Canada Exam) taken in the past 2 years, plus other criteria must be satisfied.
Application for immigration to Canada from Kuwait through the FSWP is done using the Express Entry points system.
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
The Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) is a program offered by the Canadian government that allows individuals with specific skills and experience to immigrate to Canada as permanent residents.
The program is open to foreign nationals who have at least 2 years of full-time paid work experience in an eligible skilled trade within the previous 5 years, and who meet other eligibility requirements.
Other key criteria for the FSTP include meeting the English or French language requirements and receiving a Certificate of Qualification or a full-time Canadian job offer lasting at least a year.
Application for immigration to Canada from Kuwait through the FSTP is performed via the Express Entry system.
Successful applicants are granted Canadian permanent residency and can live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited period of time.
- Provincial Nomination Programs
Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs) are designed to allow participating Canadian provinces and territories to nominate individuals who have high-demand occupations for immigration to Canada.
Each PNP has its own criteria and application procedure which are created in coordination with the federal Canadian immigration agency.
In general, a foreign worker will apply to a PNP and if he or she receives a nomination, the next step is to apply for Canadian permanent residency with the federal immigration agency.
The applicant will need to pass health, security, and character checks as part of the process to receive permanent resident status.
If approved to become a Canadian permanent resident, the foreign worker will live and work in the province or territory that issued the PNP nomination.
- Family Sponsorship
Family Sponsorship allows a Canadian citizen or permanent resident to sponsor eligible family members for immigration to Canada as a permanent resident.
The sponsor must be at least 18 years of age and sign an agreement with the Canadian government promising to provide financial support and basic needs for the sponsored family member, and the sponsored person must also meet certain requirements.
Family members who could be sponsored for immigration to Canada from Kuwait include a spouse or common-law partner; dependent child; parent or grandparent; orphaned nephew, niece, grandson or grand-daughter under 18 years of age who does not have a spouse or partner; or other eligible family.
Step-by-Step Process for Immigration to Canada from Kuwait
Now that you know more about several of the Canadian immigration programs that are available, it’s time to make an actionable plan for which steps to take in order to get your immigration process started. Let’s take a closer look at each step:
- Find the Best Place to Live in Canada
Settling in Canada should not be a painful task; rather, it should be fun, since it will be a new place for you to start a new life, and you can build it wherever and however you want – that’s exciting!
What you need is to make sure that the place you choose meets all of your needs.
For example, some Kuwaitis are used to hotter climates than Canada generally offers, so choosing Vancouver may be a good option – it is in the warmer province of British Columbia, where the weather is more generous with sunshine, yet you get to experience all other seasons as well.
If you have a larger family, and your budget is tighter than that of a single person, then considering moving to a more cost-attractive city that will make more sense for you, such as Winnipeg in Manitoba province.
Some of the most popular destinations for Kuwaiti expatriates include Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver.
These cities are popular due to their large Arab populations, abundance of job opportunities and they are great places to live in Canada.
- Choose the Right Canadian Visa Program
Choosing the right Canadian visa program is one of the most important steps to take for emigration from Kuwait to Canada.
Therefore, make sure you study each Canadian visa type carefully, make sure you meet all the requirements and will be able to support everything you state on your application with relevant documentation.
In some instances, it would be wise to use professional help during Canadian immigration procedure.
Canadian Visa Expert works with authorized immigration consultants who can provide you with an Evaluation Assessment of your best option for immigration to Canada from Kuwait.
If you qualify for a Canadian immigration program, the authorized immigration consultants can guide you through each step of the application process, to make the procedure easier for you to complete successfully.
To receive your Eligibility Assessment, click here!
- Gather Supporting Documents
Once you choose the most fitting Canadian visa program for your profile, you can then start gathering the documents that will be needed to show that you meet the eligibility requirements.
Everything you state on your Canadian visa application will need to be supported by appropriate documentation.
If your documents are not in English or French (the two official languages in Canada), you will need to make sure they are translated.
- English or French Language Evaluation
One of the requirements to emigrate from Kuwait to Canada as a skilled foreign worker is to get a passing score on an approved English or French language exam, such as the IELTS General Training Exam (for English) or the TEF Canada Exam (for French).
Even if you are a native speaker of English or French, it is important to prepare for the evaluation exam, so that you can achieve the highest score possible.
The score required will depend on which Canadian immigration program a skilled foreign worker is applying for.
- Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
If you are applying for Express Entry immigration to Canada from Kuwait through the FSWP and you obtained your education outside of Canada, you will need to get an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) for immigration purposes from the designated organization that is relevant for your occupation.
The purpose of the ECA is to determine if your education obtained outside of Canada is valid and equivalent to an education received inside Canada.
- File Your Application
The procedure to file your application to immigrate to Canada from Kuwait will depend on which Canadian visa program you are applying for (for example, international student, temporary foreign worker, permanent resident via the FSWP, FSTP, CEC, PNP, etc.).
Many of the Canadian immigration programs have a preliminary application that is completed first, such as filing an Express Entry profile or submitting an application for a PNP, and then some kind of invitation to apply or nomination must be received from the relevant authorities before you can apply to become a Canadian permanent resident with the federal immigration agency.
For example, if you apply for emigration from Kuwait to Canada through the FSWP, you will file an online Express Entry profile and if you receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA), you will have 60 days to submit your Canadian Permanent Residency Application and should receive a decision in 6 months or less.
Canadian Visa Expert collaborates with authorized immigration consultants who can guide you through the application process to make it easier for you to complete correctly.
- Complete a Medical Exam
To qualify for immigration to Canada from Kuwait, you and your accompanying family members will need to complete a medical exam with a medical professional who is authorized for Canadian immigration purposes.
This exam, which is done toward the end of the Canadian immigration process, is necessary to ensure that you are healthy and can safely reside in Canada.
- Get a Police Certificate
An official police certificate from a designated authority that proves that you don’t have a criminal record is required when applying to become a Canadian permanent resident if you and your accompanying family member(s) are at least 18 years of age for each country lived in for 6 or more months in a row during the past 10 years.
Please note that a police certificate is not necessary for time spent living in Canada or for time periods when a family member was under 18 years of age.
- Complete Biometrics
Submitting your biometrics is another required step when you immigrate to Canada from Kuwait as a new Canadian permanent resident, however, it is an easy one to complete.
As a Canadian visa applicant, you must have your fingerprints and photograph taken at one of the many authorized Visa Application Centers located around the world.
- Receive Professional Guidance
You can apply for immigration to Canada from Kuwait by yourself, however, receiving guidance from an authorized Canadian immigration consultant can make the process easier for you to complete correctly.
At Canadian Visa Expert, we subcontract authorized immigration consultants who can evaluate your details and explain your options for immigration to Canada from Kuwait.
The authorized immigration consultants that Canadian Visa Expert subcontracts can also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify, to make sure the process is done correctly and answer questions you may have about your case.
We will be happy to assist you in your immigration journey from Kuwait to Canada, and wish you the best of luck!
Canadian Visa Expert makes the process easy and affordable!
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
How can I move to Canada from Kuwait for work?
The best way to go to Canada for work is by obtaining a Work Permit. This can be done by finding a Canadian employer who is willing to sponsor you, or by applying for an Open Work Permit. The best source to find employment in Canada is via the online Canada Job Bank. Keep in mind that not all employers provide sponsorship, but don’t give up on your search, if this is the Canadian immigration path you intend to take. Another pathway is to immigrate to Canada from Kuwait as a permanent resident through a Canadian immigration program for skilled foreign workers, such as the FSWP, PNP, FSTP, CEC, and QSWP.
How much does it cost for immigration to Canada from Kuwait?
It will generally cost several thousand Canadian dollars to immigrate to Canada from Kuwait, including governmental fees and non-governmental expenses. The cost for an individual is around $15,500 CAD (about 3,517 Kuwaiti Dinars). For couples, the cost is around $21,000 CAD (around 4,765 Kuwaiti Dinars). For families with children, the cost ranges between $25,000 CAD (about 5,673 Kuwaiti Dinars) and $30,000 CAD (around 6,808 Kuwaiti Dinars).
What documents are required for emigration from Kuwait to Canada?
In general, a skilled foreign worker will need a valid passport; birth certificate; marriage certificate (if relevant); divorce certificate (if relevant); adoption certificate (if relevant); death certificate (if relevant); English or French language evaluation scores taken in the past two years; Educational Credential Assessment (if applying for the FSWP and your education was not from Canada); medical exam results; police certificates; proof of funds to support yourself and family after moving to Canada; Certificate of Permanent Residence (COPR); and other documents.
How long can Kuwaiti citizens stay in Canada?
Kuwaiti citizens are required to have a Canadian visa to enter Canada by any method of travel (plane, cruise ship, train, car, bus, etc.) and may stay in Canada for the period of time specified by their visa. If you immigrate to Canada from Kuwait as a Canadian permanent resident, you can live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited amount of time.
Can a Kuwaiti citizen immigrate to Canada without a job offer?
Yes, Kuwaiti citizens may be able to immigrate to Canada without a job offer if they meet the eligibility requirements for a Canadian immigration program and complete the process successfully. Most Canadian immigration programs for skilled foreign workers do not require a job offer in Canada, however, some point-based programs (such as the FSWP) give points for a valid Canadian job offer. Having a valid Canadian job offer may also result in an Invitation to Apply if applying for Express Entry.
How long does it take to immigrate to Canada from Kuwait?
It generally takes about 9-18 months to emigrate from Kuwait to Canada as a skilled foreign worker. The amount of time required will depend on which Canadian visa program you apply for, how long it takes you to do what is required, how long it takes the Canadian immigration agency to process your application and other variables.
What are the benefits of Canadian permanent residency?
If you become a Canadian permanent resident you can live, study and work in Canada for an unlimited amount of time; receive free or subsidized universal healthcare; access world-class Canadian education programs; have the option to open your own business; have the opportunity to purchase a home and other property in Canada; sponsor eligible family members for Canadian permanent residency; travel to and from Canada; experience freedom and equality; live in a peaceful country; see beautiful scenery; enjoy a high quality of life; and apply to become a Canadian citizen after living in Canada for 3 out of 5 years and meeting other criteria!
