Luxury cars, high-rise buildings, and a high-quality lifestyle. To the outside world, Dubai seems like a paradise, but for many of its new residents, it quickly turns out to be the opposite. Fortunately, Canada is still a great option when living and working in Dubai hasn’t gone as planned. Yes, Canada does welcome immigrants.
In fact, Canada will welcome over a million newcomers by 2022 (learn more about Canada’s new immigration goals for the next three years here). And we know how you can be one of them. In this blog, we provide you with expert advice on how to immigrate to Canada from Dubai.
3 Reasons to Immigrate to Canada from Dubai
1. Experience True Freedom
Canada is a liberal democracy, while the government of the United Arab Emirates prohibits anything it deems “offensive” for its religious, moral, and cultural values. This limits new residents in many different and unique ways, for example, you cannot access most international websites and you will not be allowed to share an apartment with a de facto partner.
On the other hand, Canada recognizes couples of all kinds, whether they are common-law couples or same-sex couples. You can live and marry whoever you want in the Far North, where it’s socially acceptable. At the same time, their religious views are respected. In Canada, the main religions are Catholicism, Christianity, Islam, Hinduism, and Judaism, which you can practice freely.
2. Fair Work Conditions and High Minimum Wage
Like the United Arab Emirates, Canada has many foreign workers and residents of South Asian countries like Pakistan and Bangladesh. However, unlike Dubai, which uses the Kafala system, in Canada it is protected by the same labor laws as Canadians and enjoys better working conditions and fair wages. In Canada, the average minimum wage is $ 14 an hour!
3. Experience Four Seasons
Most of Canada experiences the four seasons with snowfall in winter and hot sunny days in summer, but not to the same level as Dubai. Canadian summer temperatures range from 20 to 30 degrees, while a typical day in Dubai is humid with scorching 40 degrees. Dubai is a concrete jungle with sparkling buildings and elegant architecture. But if you fancy nature, trees, waterfalls, mountains, and breathtaking lakes, Canada will offer you a lot and limits. With 48 national parks, you are guaranteed to see and experience much more of nature than the desert sands.
3 Easy Steps to Immigrate to Canada from Dubai
There are currently over 70 immigration and visa programs through which qualified foreign nationals, with or without work experience or education in Canada, can immigrate to Canada. The first and most important step you need to take before you can apply to immigrate to Canada from Dubai is knowing which immigration programs you qualify for. This step is known as the eligibility assessment and is the very foundation of your application process. Not everyone is eligible for all immigration and visa programs, and applicants often fail to obtain permanent residence due to misinformation.
Successful applicants use the professional services of Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants (CRIC) to help them identify the most appropriate type of visa based on their needs and goals.
Top Canadian Immigration Programs
1. Express Entry
Express Entry (EE) is the primary immigration system used by the federal government of Canada to select qualified foreign workers eligible for permanent residence from an online pool of applicants. Fittingly, it’s called Express Entry because the system processes permanent residence applications in a record 6 months.
Are you a skilled worker?
| Skilled Worker Classification | |
|---|---|
| Skill Type | Example Job Title |
| Skill Type 0: Management | Managers in Healthcare, Agriculture, Construction, etc. |
| Skill Type A: Professionals | Doctors, Copywriters, Teachers, etc. |
| Skill Type B: Technical or Trade Positions | Electrician, Cooks, User Support Technician, etc. |
Applicants in the Express Entry pool are scored using a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Each candidate is assigned a score for eligibility criteria, such as age, professional experience, level of education, spouse’s diplomas, etc. Top-rated applicants receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in bi-monthly draws. . If a candidate receives an ITA, they can make a formal and official application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident.
It’s important to note that the Express Entry system manages three Federal Skilled Worker Programs and some provincial nomination programs namely:
- The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
- The Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
- The Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
Before you can create a profile online and enter the Express Entry pool you must meet the minimum requirements for one or more of these programs.
2. Provincial Nomination Programs
A provincial nomination is similar to receiving approval from a province of Canada that you would like to establish in your area because you meet certain criteria that they consider important, for example, your profession is in demand in that province or in you. . have previous work experience in the province, which shows them that you will easily adapt to life in Canada. You can get a provincial nomination as an Express Entry candidate that earns you an additional 600 CRS points!
Alternatively, you can apply through Provincial Nomination Programs (PNPs) that are NOT related to Express Entry. Most of these programs are designed for low to medium-skilled workers who are not eligible for Express Entry, such as truck drivers, nurse aides, farm laborers, and butchers. However, to be eligible, you must first work in Canada and obtain a full-time job offer.
3. Temporary Worker Programs
To work in Canada from Dubai, you must have a prepared job and a work permit. Alternatively, you can apply through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program (TFWP) if you are an academic, farmworker, caregiver, or ICT or STEM specialist. This program has participating Canadian companies that may wish to hire you through the TFWP.
Step 2. Collect Your Documents
Once your immigration advisor shows you your best path to Canada, you will need to gather the supporting documents for your immigration application. Here is a list of supporting documents you may need. Please note that some documents may be optional depending on your visa or the type of immigration program.
- IELTS/TEF Language Test Results
- Education Credential Assessment (if applicable)
- Proof of Valid Job Offer (if applicable)
- LMIA Document (if applicable)
- Valid Passport
- Resume/CV
- 2 Passport Size Photos
- Proof of Funds (Bank Statements)
- Letter of Acceptance (Student Visa)
- Family/Dependants Information
Step 3. Apply to Immigrate to Canada from Dubai
The last step in your immigration journey is your application. If you use the services of the CRIC, they will take care of all these steps on your behalf by making a request to the appropriate ministry (provincial or federal) with all your supporting documents and a duly completed request. They make sure your app is optimized and error-free. Once they have applied for your visa or immigration program, you will be notified if your application has been successful and you can then pack your bags for a new life in Canada.