Is It Possible to Get a Job in Canada From UAE?
If you’re a UAE resident looking to work in Canada, you may be wondering if it’s possible to obtain a work permit. Here’s our guide on how to get it.
Over 20,000 citizens of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) live in Canada.
The majority of UAE citizens living in Canada reside in the provinces of Ontario, Alberta, Quebec and British Columbia.
You may be wondering if it is possible to get a job & immigrate to Canada from Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE.
This article will discuss getting a job in Canada from UAE, Work Permits to Canada and other relevant topics, so keep reading to learn more!
Table of Contents
Is It Possible to Get a Job Offer in Canada from UAE?
It is possible to get a job offer in Canada from UAE if you have the occupation, education and skills that Canadian employers are looking for.
Having a resume that shows effectively how your qualifications match the job description for the position you are applying for can also increase your chances to get a job in Canada from UAE.
Foreign workers are in high-demand to help fill hundreds of thousands of Canadian job openings in many different occupations including:
- Accounting
- Construction
- Education
- Engineering
- Finance
- Healthcare
- Hospitality
- Information
- Technology
- Management
- Natural Resources
You can learn more about finding jobs in Canada on the Canadian government’s Job Bank website at:
Average Canadian Work Permit Processing Time from the UAE
The average Canadian work permit processing time from the UAE is 39 weeks.
Types of Canadian Work Permits
In order to work in Canada legally, you will generally need to:
- be a citizen of Canada; or
- be a Canadian permanent resident; or
- have a Canadian Work Permit.
Canadian citizens and permanent residents can live and work in Canada for an unlimited length of time.
Temporary legal residents with a Canadian Work Permit are allowed to work in Canada for a limited amount of time which is specified in their Work Permit (for example, the Work Permit might be valid for two years).
There are two major types of Canada Work Permits:
Open Work Permit:
- allows an individual to work in Canada for almost any employer
- is available to many different kinds of foreign workers such as:
- a foreign student who graduated from a designated learning institution in Canada who also qualifies for the Post-Graduate Work Permit Program
- the spouse or common-law partner of an international student
- a foreign student who can no longer pay for the costs of his or her studies in Canada
- someone who applied for permanent residence while living in Canada
- the dependent family member of someone who applied for permanent residence while living in Canada
- the spouse, common law partner or dependent child of a foreign worker living in Canada
- a protected person or refugee or their family member
Employer-Specific Work Permit:
- allows an individual to work in Canada for a specific employer and get express entry visa to canada
- declares how long the individual can work in Canada
- may state where someone can work in Canada
Canada Work Permit from UAE Requirements
If you are applying for jobs in Canada from Dubai, you will most likely need to be approved for:
- An Employer-Specific Work Permit; or Canadian Permanent Residency
The requirements for the Employer-Specific Work Permit generally include:
- Receiving a valid Canadian employment contract
- Obtaining a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) or an Offer of Employment Number
- Meeting the criteria for the Canadian employment you will perform
- Satisfying the English or French language requirements
- Having good character (i.e., no criminal record)
- Being in good health
- Completing and filing the Employer-Specific Work Permit Application
- Paying the Canadian Work Permit Application Fee of $155 CAD and Biometrics Fee of $85 CAD (April 2023)
The time required to process a Work Permit for Canada from UAE is approximately 37 weeks, but it can vary depending on different factors.
Please note that your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children (under 22 years of age and unmarried) may also be able to live, study and work in Canada during the time that you are legally working in Canada once they are approved for the relevant Canadian visa or permit.
Keep in mind that a Canadian Work Permit does not allow a foreign national to enter Canada and, therefore, you will also need to receive a Temporary Resident Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA).
Holders of a UAE passport can enter Canada for a short visit of less than six months with an eTA; however, to live and work in Canada with a Work Permit for over six months, a citizen of UAE must possess the relevant Canadian visa, such as the Temporary Resident Visa.
Requirements for Permanent Residency in Canada from UAE
Another way to get a job in Canada from Dubai or elsewhere in the UAE is to become a Canadian permanent resident.
More than 400,000 immigrants from around the world become a Canadian permanent resident every year through various immigration programs.
The majority of new immigrants who are approved to become a Canadian permanent resident each year are skilled foreign workers and their family members.
Top Canadian immigration programs that offer permanent residency to skilled foreign workers and their families include the:
- Federal Skilled Worker Program
- Provincial Nominee Programs
- Federal Skilled Trades Program
- Quebec Regular Skilled Worker Program
- Atlantic Immigration Program
- Rural and Northern Immigration Pilot Program
Each Canadian immigration program has its own eligibility requirements and application procedure.
General criteria skilled foreign workers normally must satisfy for Canadian permanent residency include:
- Having a certain amount of work experience in a qualifying occupation
- Proving good English or French language abilities via an evaluation exam
- Possessing good character (no criminal record)
- Being in good health (a medical exam may be required)
- Proof of Funds to support yourself and family while living in Canada
When you become a Canadian permanent resident, you can enjoy many benefits such as:
- Living in Canada for an unlimited amount of time
- Working in Canada legally
- Receiving free or subsidized public healthcare in Canada
- Access to Canada’s world-class education programs
- Equality and freedom in a multicultural country
- Dwelling in one of the most peaceful countries in the world
- Opportunities to buy a home and start a business in Canada
- Sponsoring family members for Canadian permanent residency
- Dwelling in a beautiful country with plenty of open space
- The option to become a Canadian citizen after living in Canada for 3 years
Conclusion
You can find jobs in Canada from Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah and other locations in the UAE using the Canadian government’s Job Bank website and other online resources.
There is a growing demand for skilled foreign workers to fill thousands of jobs in Canada, particularly since millions of Canadian workers are retiring and new jobs are being created.
In order to secure a job in Canada from UAE, you will need to be approved for either a temporary Work Permit or Canadian permanent residency.
With so many options to work in Canada from UAE, it can be a challenge to figure out which pathway is right for you.
Since 2012, our Expert Canada Immigration Crew has been working with a team of authorized immigration consultants who can provide citizens from the UAE with an Eligibility Evaluation and guide you through each step of the immigration process if you qualify.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
How can I go to Canada from UAE for work?
You can go to Canada from UAE for work by finding a job in Canada and then applying for an Employer-Specific Work Permit; or you can become a Canadian permanent resident and apply for jobs in Canada; or you could become a full-time international student at a designated learning institution in Canada, get a Work Permit to work in Canada legally during your studies and then, depending on your education and work experience in Canada, apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit and/or permanent residency through the Canadian Experience Class Program.
Can I get a Work Visa for Canada from Dubai?
Yes, you can get a Work Visa for Canada from Dubai (in Canada, it is called a Work Permit) if you have a qualifying occupation that is needed in Canada; you have good English or French language skills; you receive a valid offer of Canadian employment; and you satisfy all of the requirements for a Canadian Work Permit. In addition to your Canadian Work Permit, you will also need a Temporary Resident Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. The Temporary Resident Visa will be needed if you plan on working in Canada for six months or longer. Your spouse or common-law partner and dependent children (unmarried and under 22 years of age) can also apply for the relevant Canadian visa to live in Canada with you.
How long does it take to get a Work Permit for Canada from UAE?
According to the Canadian immigration agency (April 2023), it takes around 37 weeks to get a Work Permit for Canada from UAE. The total amount of time required will depend not only on how busy the Canadian immigration agency is with processing applications, but also how long it takes you to find a job in Canada from UAE, complete your Canadian Work Permit Application and gather the supporting documents, etc.
Can a non-Canadian get a job in Canada?
Yes, someone who is not a Canadian citizen or permanent resident can get a job in Canada, but he or she will need to receive a temporary Work Permit or become a Canadian permanent resident to legally work in Canada. Besides obtaining permission to legally work in Canada, a non-Canadian will need to get a Temporary Resident Visa or an Electronic Travel Authorization (eTA) to enter Canada. A non-Canadian who will be working in Canada for six months or longer should get a Temporary Resident Permit.
Do Canadian companies hire foreign workers?
Yes, Canadian companies hire foreign workers all the time! Furthermore, employers in Canada and the Canadian government have been trying to attract hundreds of thousands of foreign workers every year to help fill high-demand jobs in Canada, because there are not enough qualified Canadian workers available. The demand for foreign workers is only growing, due in large part to millions of Canadian workers retiring as well as new jobs in Canada that are being created. It is generally required that foreign workers have good English or French language skills, since these are the two official languages of Canada. Of course, foreign workers must have permission to work in Canada legally, by having a Work Permit or being Canadian permanent residents or citizens.
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