Immigrating to Canada from Saudi Arabia

Saudi Arabia is a leading source country of immigrants and international students who move to Canada.

Many of those who immigrate from Saudi Arabia are expatriates.

Despite the high living standards they enjoy in Saudi Arabia, such individuals may choose Canada since it offers various benefits.

Canada offers over 100 different permanent residence pathways, the opportunity to apply for Canadian citizenship after residing in Canada for three years, universal health care, good education, employment opportunities, among other appealing features.

If you are looking to immigrate to Canada from Saudi Arabia, your best bet is to apply as an economic class immigrant.

Canada is targeting over one million new immigrants by 2022, according to its Immigration Levels Plan 2020-2022.

Economic class skilled workers account for nearly 60 per cent of the new immigrants Canada is targeting under this plan.

Despite the coronavirus pandemic, Canada continues to issue permanent residence invitations to successful economic class applicants, including applicants currently residing overseas.

Find out if you are eligible for Canadian immigration

Skilled workers are assessed by Canada based on criteria such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience. Given that Saudi expats and citizens tend to be young, well-educated professionals with strong English language skills, they are in strong position to succeed under Canada's immigration selection process.

Express Entry

Express Entry is the main way Canada manages skilled worker applications.

If you want to apply for immigration under Express Entry, you must meet the requirements of at least one of these programs: the Foreign Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Foreign Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) and the Canadian Experience Class (CEC).

Chances are you will need to be eligible under the FSWP if you have never lived in Canada before.

Assuming you meet the requirements of the FSWP, you can then go ahead and submit an Express Entry profile to Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada's (IRCC) website for free.

You will also need to take a language proficiency test accredited by IRCC. If you wish to take the test in English, your options are either the IELTS or CELPIP exam. You must also get your foreign educational credentials assessed by a provider that is accredited by IRCC.

Based on your criteria such as your age, education, language skills, and work experience, you will obtain a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score.

Every two weeks, IRCC invites Express Entry candidates with the highest CRS scores to apply for permanent residence. Despite its coronavirus travel restrictions, Canada is still inviting successful candidates who live overseas since such individuals will be key to supporting Canada's economy after the pandemic.

Find out if you are eligible for Express Entry

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) is another major economic class immigration option for those coming from Saudi Arabia. The PNP is the second largest skilled worker pathway after Express Entry. The PNP gives Canada's provinces and territories the ability to nominate immigrants who meet their economic needs.

You can apply to a province or territories' PNP directly. You can also make yourself available to the provinces and territories for them to review your profile and then offer you an opportunity to obtain a nomination from them. You can do this by creating an Express Entry profile. If a province invites you to apply to their PNP, you will receive an extra 600 CRS points which will guarantee your success under Express Entry.

Candidates are able to apply for a specific PNP stream directly. In addition, creating an Express Entry profile gives you more options. Once you are in the Express Entry pool, you may receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence, or you may receive an invitation to apply for a provincial nomination, if the province or territory is interested in your profile.

Saudi expats and citizens have over 100 Canadian immigration options

Saudi expats and citizens have over 100 skilled worker options they can benefit from. In addition to Express Entry and the PNP, Canada offers many other permanent residence pathways for skilled workers.

Get a free Canada immigration eligibility assessment