pakistan to canada
Your Complete Guide to Immigrating to Canada from Pakistan in 2025
How to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan as a Skilled Worker, Student or Businessperson
Licensed Citizenship and Immigration Advisers
Licensed Citizenship and Immigration Advisers
How to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan as a Skilled Worker, Student or Businessperson
Thinking about moving to Canada from Pakistan? It’s a big dream for many, and for good reason! Canada offers amazing opportunities, a welcoming vibe, and a great quality of life. It’s home to a large and vibrant Pakistani diaspora, with significant communities in cities like Toronto, Mississauga, Calgary (where community groups estimate over 35,000 immigrants from Pakistan reside), Vancouver, and Montreal.
However, the Canadian immigration landscape is changing in 2025. The government has reduced overall immigration targets (aiming for 395,000 new permanent residents in 2025, down from previous projections) and is putting more focus on applicants already inside Canada. Understanding these shifts is key as you navigate the Canadian immigration pathways for Pakistanis.
Don’t worry, you’re in the right place! This guide is your updated roadmap. We’ll walk through the main ways to make your Canadian dream a reality, reflecting the latest 2025 policies, Canada immigration requirements for Pakistani citizens, application steps, costs, and settling into your new life. Let’s get started!
So, why are so many people from Pakistan looking towards Canada? Even with policy shifts, it consistently ranks high globally for things that matter: quality of life, top-notch education, reliable healthcare, and a stable economy. Canada actively welcomes skilled newcomers who align with its economic needs.
For Pakistani immigrants, Canada often means:
Canada’s immigration system is managed by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada). While the main routes remain, keep the 2025 context in mind: reduced targets and a preference for those already in Canada. The main pathways are:
This guide focuses primarily on permanent residency paths, acknowledging the increased advantage for those applying from within Canada in 2025.
With economic programs prioritized, aligning your skills with Canada’s needs is crucial.
This hasn’t changed: Canada uses the National Occupational Classification (NOC) system, grouping jobs by Training, Education, Experience, and Responsibilities (TEER). Most economic programs target TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3. Knowing your NOC code and TEER level is essential for checking program eligibility.
Express Entry remains the primary online system for managing applications under the FSWP, FSTP, and CEC.
The core process is similar, but the draws have evolved:
Here’s a look at the main priority categories for 2025:
2025 Priority Category |
Focus / Examples |
French-Language Proficiency |
Strong French language skills (reading, writing, listening, speaking) |
Doctors, nurses, pharmacists, therapists, social service workers, etc. |
|
Skilled Trades |
Electricians, plumbers, welders, carpenters, construction managers, etc. |
Teachers (various levels), early childhood educators, etc. (New!) |
Other categories like STEM and Agriculture/Agri-food have also seen revisions (with some occupations added and others removed). The Transport category is no longer listed as a main priority for 2025 category-based draws. Keep an eye on the official IRCC announcements for specific occupations included in each draw.
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
---|---|---|
Specialists in clinical and laboratory medicine | 31100 | 1 |
Specialists in surgery | 31101 | 1 |
General practitioners and family physicians | 31102 | 1 |
Veterinarians | 31103 | 1 |
Dentists | 31110 | 1 |
Optometrists | 31111 | 1 |
Audiologists and speech language pathologists | 31112 | 1 |
Pharmacists | 31120 | 1 |
Dieticians and nutritionists | 31121 | 1 |
Psychologists | 31200 | 1 |
Chiropractors | 31201 | 1 |
Physiotherapists | 31202 | 1 |
Occupational therapists | 31203 | 1 |
Other professional occupations in health diagnosing and treating | 31209 | 1 |
Nursing co-ordinators and supervisors | 31300 | 1 |
Registered nurses and registered psychiatric nurses | 31301 | 1 |
Nurse practitioners | 31302 | 1 |
Physician assistants, midwives and allied health professionals | 31303 | 1 |
Licensed practical nurses | 32101 | 2 |
Paramedical occupations | 32102 | 2 |
Respiratory therapists, clinical perfusionists and cardiopulmonary technologists | 32103 | 2 |
Animal health technologists and veterinary technicians | 32104 | 2 |
Other technical occupations in therapy and assessment | 32109 | 2 |
Dental hygienists and dental therapists | 32111 | 2 |
Medical laboratory technologists | 32120 | 2 |
Medical radiation technologists | 32121 | 2 |
Medical sonographers | 32122 | 2 |
Cardiology technologists and electrophysiological diagnostic technologists | 32123 | 2 |
Pharmacy technicians | 32124 | 2 |
Other medical technologists and technicians | 32129 | 2 |
Massage therapists | 32201 | 2 |
Medical laboratory assistants and related technical occupations | 33101 | 3 |
Nurse aides, orderlies and patient service associates | 33102 | 3 |
Pharmacy technical assistants and pharmacy assistants | 33103 | 3 |
Social workers | 41300 | 1 |
Therapists in counselling and related specialized therapies | 41301 | 1 |
Social and community service workers | 42201 | 2 |
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
---|---|---|
Architecture and science managers | 20011 | 0 |
Cybersecurity specialists | 21220 | 1 |
Civil Engineers | 21300 | 1 |
Mechanical Engineers | 21301 | 1 |
Electrical and electronics engineers | 21310 | 1 |
Industrial and manufacturing engineers | 21321 | 1 |
Geological Engineers | 21331 | 1 |
Civil engineering technologists and technicians | 22300 | 2 |
Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians | 22301 | 2 |
Electrical and electronics engineering technologists and technicians | 22310 | 2 |
Insurance agents and brokers | 63100 | 3 |
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
---|---|---|
Construction estimators | 22303 | 2 |
Cooks | 63200 | 3 |
Construction managers | 70010 | 0 |
Home building and renovation managers | 70011 | 0 |
Machinists and machining and tooling inspectors | 72100 | 2 |
Sheet metal workers | 72102 | 2 |
Welders and related machine operators | 72106 | 2 |
Electricians (except industrial and power system) | 72200 | 2 |
Industrial electricians | 72201 | 2 |
Plumbers | 72300 | 2 |
Gas fitters | 72302 | 2 |
Carpenters | 72310 | 2 |
Cabinetmakers | 72311 | 2 |
Bricklayers | 72320 | 2 |
Construction millwrights and industrial mechanics | 72400 | 2 |
Heavy-duty equipment mechanics | 72401 | 2 |
Heating, refrigeration and air conditioning mechanics | 72402 | 2 |
Electrical mechanics | 72422 | 2 |
Water well drillers | 72501 | 2 |
Other technical trades and related occupations | 72999 | 2 |
Concrete finishers | 73100 | 3 |
Roofers and shinglers | 73110 | 3 |
Painters and decorators (except interior decorators) | 73112 | 3 |
Floor covering installers | 73113 | 3 |
Contractors and supervisors, oil and gas drilling and services | 82021 | 2 |
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
---|---|---|
Butchers - retail and wholesale | 63201 | 3 |
To be eligible, you must:
Full details will be included in the instructions for each round.
Occupation | 2021 NOC code | 2021 TEER category |
---|---|---|
Secondary school teachers | 41220 | 1 |
Elementary school and kindergarten teachers | 41221 | 1 |
Early childhood educators and assistants | 42202 | 2 |
Instructors of persons with disabilities | 42203 | 2 |
Elementary and secondary school teacher assistants | 43100 | 3 |
Disclaimer: This tool provides basic eligibility information based on publicly available data. Always refer to the official IRCC website and specific round instructions for definitive requirements.
6: Apply for PR: If you get an Invitation to Apply (ITA) – either from a general or category-based draw – you have a set time (usually 60 days) to submit your full application with all supporting documents.
A higher CRS score improves your chances in general draws, but fitting into a targeted category can provide another strategic route to an invitation. Things like a nomination from a province also give you a big points boost, 600 CRS points to be exact.
Feature | Federal Skilled Worker (FSWP) | Federal Skilled Trades (FSTP) | Canadian Experience Class (CEC) |
Target Group | Skilled workers (foreign experience) | Skilled trades workers | Skilled workers (Canadian experience) |
Min. Experience | 1 yr continuous (last 10 yrs) | 2 yrs (last 5 yrs) | 1 yr (last 3 yrs) |
Experience Location | Anywhere | Anywhere | In Canada |
NOC TEER Level | 0, 1, 2, 3 | Specific TEER 2/3 Trade Groups | 0, 1, 2, 3 |
Min. Language (CLB) | 7 (all skills) | 5 (Speak/Listen), 4 (Read/Write) | 7 (TEER 0/1), 5 (TEER 2/3) |
Education Req. | Min. High School equivalent (ECA required) | None required (ECA optional for points) | None required |
Job Offer/Cert. | Not required (but adds points) | Required (Job Offer or Cert. of Qualification) | Not required |
Proof of Funds | Required | Required (unless working legally in CA w/ offer) | Not Required |
Points System | Must pass 67/100 FSWP grid | N/A | N/A |
PNPs remain a vital pathway, especially with shifting federal priorities. Provinces nominate candidates based on their specific needs.
Note: This is a simplified overview. Always check the specific province’s official PNP website for detailed, up-to-date requirements.
This category remains important but is part of the overall managed immigration levels.
Relationship Sponsored | Key Requirement | Sponsor Income Req. | Processing Priority |
Genuine Relationship | No MNI (basic needs) | High | |
Dependent Child | Age/Dependency Criteria | No MNI (basic needs) | High |
Sponsor Eligibility | Yes (MNI x 3 yrs) | Lower (Lottery) | |
Other Relatives (Orphaned) | Specific Conditions Met | Yes (MNI) | Varies |
Studying in Canada is still a potential route to PR, but significant changes took effect in 2025:
Feature | Start-up Visa Program | Provincial Entrepreneur Streams (General) |
Focus | Innovative, scalable businesses | Starting/buying businesses in a province |
Key Requirement | Support from Designated Organization | Meet Provincial criteria (Net Worth, Invest) |
Min. Investment | $75k-$200k (VC/Angel) or Incubator Accpt. | Varies by Province (e.g., $200k+) |
PR Pathway | Direct PR application | Often Temp. Work Permit -> Nomination -> PR |
Location | Anywhere in Canada (except Quebec) | Specific Province |
“Canada’s Start-up Visa program is unique – it connects immigrant entrepreneurs directly with private sector organizations that have expertise in building businesses.” – IRCC
Canada continues to offer protection based on established criteria.
Important Context: Canada-U.S. Safe Third Country Agreement may impact claims made at land borders.
The general process remains, but preparedness is key:
This isn’t exhaustive, and requirements change, but common documents include:
Important Note: Always consult the official IRCC checklist for your specific program!
Waiting for a decision can be the hardest part! Processing times often change depending on application volumes and other factors. Always check the official IRCC processing times tool for the most current estimates for your specific application type and country.
Here are some general estimates based on recent data (as of early 2025) for applications from Pakistan, presented in a table for clarity:
Application Type | Estimated Processing Time (from Pakistan) |
Express Entry (FSWP, CEC, FSTP, PNP – after ITA) | Around 6 months |
Spousal Sponsorship (Outside Canada) | Around 10 months |
Study Permit (Outside Canada) | Around 7 weeks |
Work Permit (Outside Canada, specific employer) | Around 8 weeks |
Start-up Visa | Around 39 months (can be lengthy) |
Visitor Visa | Around 10-35 days |
Super Visa (Parents/Grandparents) | Around 75 days |
Making the move is just the beginning! Here’s what to think about for life in Canada for Pakistani families and individuals.
Aligning with in-demand jobs is more important than ever. Focus remains on:
Moving to a new country is exciting, but it has its hurdles. Be prepared for potential challenges faced by Pakistani immigrants in Canada:
How to Tackle Challenges: Use settlement services! Take language classes. Network actively. Connect with community groups. Be patient with yourself. Seek help from organizations that fight discrimination if needed.
Nobody wants their application refused! Common reasons for Canada visa refusal for Pakistani citizens include:
How to Avoid Refusal: Be meticulous! Double-check everything. Provide all required documents, including certified translations. Be honest and upfront. Clearly demonstrate your funds and ties (for temporary visas). Address any potential issues (like a past minor criminal charge) honestly with explanations or necessary waivers. If unsure, get professional advice before applying.
Moving to Canada from Pakistan in 2025 requires careful planning, considering the policy shifts. While pathways exist, competition may be higher, especially for those applying from overseas.
Key Takeaways:
Do your homework meticulously, gather documents early, and be patient. Given the increased complexity and focus, applicants already in Canada or those whose skills directly match the new priorities likely have the strongest chances in 2025.
Consider talking to a Canada-based licensed Canadian immigration consultant for personalized advice tailored to the current landscape.
Wishing you the very best on your journey to Canada!
Learn more
Amir Ismail is a licensed, recognized, and authorized Citizenship and Immigration Practitioner with over three decades of experience in the immigration industry.
Since 1991, Mr. Ismail has been setting new industry standards, providing expert guidance in a wide range of immigration pathways.
Our solid foundation of over 34 years has made Amir Ismail & Associates a leading immigration consulting firm in Canada, with a strong presence in Pakistan, Dubai, UAE, and the Middle East.
We are your #1 trusted consultants who believe in providing personalized services, all under one roof.