Immigrate to Canada from Saudi Arabia

1. Express Entry Programs

The fast way for skilled foreign workers to immigrate to Canada from Saudi Arabia is through the Canada Express Entry points system.

In order to apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada from Saudi Arabia, you must qualify for one of the following eligible Canadian immigration programs:

• Federal Skilled Workers Program:
  • Uses a points system (at least 67 out of 100 points required)
  • Get points for age, English/French, experience, education, job offer, adaptability
  • Need 1 year of work experience in an eligible occupation in past 10 years
  • Work experience must have been paid and full-time (minimum 1,560 hours)
  • Educational Credential Assessment needed if your education not from Canada
  • Score of CLB Level 7 required on English or French language evaluation test
  • Other eligibility requirements must be satisfied
  • If approved for Canadian permanent residency, can live in any province/territory
• Skilled Trade Program:
  • Need 2 years of work experience in an eligible skilled trade in previous 5 years
  • Must satisfy the Canadian job requirements for the skilled trade
  • Certificate of Qualification OR full-time job offer in Canada for 1 year required
  • Need English/French evaluation test score of CLB 5 for listening and speaking and CLB 4 for writing and reading
  • Other eligibility requirements must be satisfied
  • If approved for Canadian permanent residency, can live in any province/territory

• Canadian Experience Class Program
  • Must have at least 1 year of work experience in Canada in previous 3 years
  • Examples include foreign students and workers with Canadian experience
  • Skilled work experience in Canada must have been full-time, paid and legal
  • Must satisfy the English or French language criteria for your skilled occupation
    • Need certain score on an authorized English or French evaluation exam
    • NOC TEER Level 0 and 1 occupations need scores of CLB Level 7
    • NOC TEER Level 2 and 3 occupations need scores of CLB Level 5
  • Other eligibility requirements must be satisfied
  • If approved for Canadian permanent residency, can live in any province/territory

To apply for Express Entry immigration to Canada from Saudi Arabia, you need to:

• Complete an online Express Entry profile with your relevant details
• Be placed in the Express Entry pool of candidates
• Receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA) from the Canadian immigration agency
• File your Application for Canadian Permanent Residency within 60 days after the ITA
• Pay the required governmental fees

You should receive a decision about your Express Entry application within six months after you file the Application for Canadian Permanent Residency.

2. The Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs):

• Eleven of Canada’s 13 provinces and territories have their own PNP
• For immigrants whose occupation is needed in a particular province or territory
• Each participating province or territory creates its own PNP eligibility criteria
• Applicants must also satisfy the federal Canadian immigration requirements
• The first step is to apply to the PNP of a Canadian province or territory
• Once a nomination is received, the second step is to apply for immigration to Canada
• If approved for Canadian immigration, you will live in the nominating province/territory

3. Family Class Sponsorship

Canadian citizens and permanent residents who are at least 18 years of age and who meet other eligibility requirements can apply to sponsor certain eligible family members for immigration to Canada.

Family members who can be sponsored for a Canada visa from Saudi Arabia include your:

• Spouse or Common-Law Partner who is at least 18 years of age
• Dependent Children under 22 years of age without a spouse/partner
• Parents and Grandparents
• Orphaned Nephew or Niece under 18 years of age without a spouse/partner
• Orphaned Grandchild under 18 years of age without a spouse/partner
• Certain Other Family Members if they qualify

If approved for Family Sponsorship, your family member will become a Canadian permanent resident.

4. LMIA Work Permit

Another way to immigrate to Canada from Saudi Arabia is with a Temporary Work Permit.

The Employer-Specific Work Permit can allow you to work in Canada for a specific employer for one year or more.

A positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA), demonstrating the need to hire a foreign worker, is required to apply for the Employer-Specific Work Permit.

The employer in Canada will apply for the LMIA, which is issued by the Canadian government.

You will also need a copy of your Canadian job offer.

Other eligibility requirements must be satisfied in order to receive the Employer-Specific Work Permit for Canada.

After you have been legally working in Canada full-time in a skilled occupation for one year, you may be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class Program using the Express Entry system.

If you are approved for Express Entry, your Canadian immigration status will be changed from temporary resident to permanent resident of Canada.

As a Canadian permanent resident, you can live and work in any province or territory in Canada.

5. Study Permit

Over 500,000 international students live in Canada with a Study Permit and get to receive a world-class education while also enjoying the high quality of life that is available.

In general, you must first apply to a designated learning institution in Canada (such as an approved university) and receive a Letter of Acceptance to attend classes there full-time.

Once you have your Letter of Acceptance, the second major step is to apply for a Study Permit with the Canadian immigration agency.

Depending on which country you are from, you will also need to receive an Electronic Travel Authorization (ETA) or a Temporary Resident Visa to enter Canada, which will be issued along with your Study Permit.

If you are issued a Study Permit to attend a Canadian educational institution full-time, you can also apply to receive a Work Permit to legally work in Canada while you are attending your study abroad program.

There is also an option to receive a Graduate Work Permit so you can continue to live and work in Canada after graduation.

Once you have been working in Canada in a skilled occupation for at least one year during a three-year period, you may be able to apply for Canadian permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class Program using the Express Entry system.

If you are granted Canadian permanent residency, you can live and work in any province or territory in Canada.