Canada PR for UAE Expats: CRS Score and Eligibility

For many expats in the UAE, Canada represents a land of world-class healthcare, high-quality education, excellent job opportunities, and a safe, multicultural environment to raise a family. If you are living in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or anywhere in the UAE and considering making Canada your permanent home, now is a great time to apply for a Canada PR Visa: 

Why Choose Canada?

Canada has earned a global reputation as one of the most immigrant-friendly countries in the world. With a consistent annual intake target of over 400,000 new permanent residents, the Canadian government continues to welcome skilled professionals. Permanent residency in Canada comes with a wide range of benefits such as: 

• As a PR holder, you gain access to Canada’s public healthcare system, subsidized education for your children, and the right to live and work anywhere in the country. 

• Permanent residents can apply for Canadian citizenship after meeting certain residency criteria and enjoy one of the most secure and inclusive societies in the world.

Understanding the CRS Score

When you apply for a Canada PR visa through the Express Entry system, your eligibility is determined by a points-based system known as the CRS Score Calculator. This score plays a critical role in your chances of receiving an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency from IRCC. 

The CRS score is calculated based on several key factors including your age, education, work experience, language proficiency in English or French, and other personal details. Additional points may also be awarded for having a spouse with strong credentials, a valid job offer in Canada, or a nomination.

Express Entry: A Popular Route for UAE Expats

The Express Entry system is currently the fastest and most popular way for skilled workers in the UAE to obtain Canadian permanent residency. It manages applications under three federal programs: the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), the Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP), and the CEC. 

To be eligible for the Federal Skilled Worker Program, applicants must have at least one year of full-time skilled work experience in the last ten years, meet the minimum language proficiency level (CLB 7 or above), and hold a post-secondary qualification that is comparable to Canadian standards. 

Additionally, applicants must show proof of settlement funds and obtain a valid Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) from a recognized authority. Meeting these minimum criteria allows candidates to enter the Express Entry pool, where they are ranked based on their CRS scores.

Enhancing Your CRS Score

While many candidates meet the basic eligibility criteria, they often find that their initial CRS scores fall short of the cut-off required to receive an invitation. Fortunately, your CRS score is not fixed, it can be improved with the right strategy. 

Strategy 1: Improve the Language Skills 

One of the most effective ways to increase your CRS score is by improving your language test results. 

Strategy 2: Increase your Educational Qualifications 

If you completed your education outside Canada, ensure your credentials are assessed by an approved ECA agency. 

Strategy 3: Gain More Skilled Work Experience

Your work experience (both foreign and Canadian) contributes to your CRS score. 

Strategy 4: Have a Valid Job Offer 

Having a valid, full-time job offer in Canada can add 50 to 200 CRS points depending on the role and level. 

Role of PNP in CRS Score

Applicants who do not meet the CRS cut-off in the Express Entry draws, Provincial Nominee Programs offer an excellent alternative route. Each province and territory in Canada has its own immigration streams that cater to specific labor market needs. 

These programs allow provinces to nominate candidates who are most likely to succeed economically in their region. Once nominated, candidates receive an additional 600 CRS points, which significantly increases their chances of receiving an invitation in the subsequent Express Entry round.

Canada PR Processing Time 

Processing times for Canada PR applications can range from six to twelve months, depending on the program and your individual case. One of the biggest advantages of Canadian PR is the ability to include your spouse and dependent children in your application, giving your entire family access to the same rights and benefits.

Why Work With the Best Canada Immigration Consultants in the UAE?

Applying for a Canada PR visa involves multiple steps, documentation requirements, and policy updates that can overwhelm applicants. Partnering with a trusted and experienced immigration consultancy can make a world of difference. 

Nationwide Visas are regarded as the best Canada immigration consultants in the UAE. The team of licensed experts works closely with each client to understand their unique profile and tailor a successful immigration strategy.

From assessing your CRS score and optimizing your Express Entry profile to assisting with document preparation, IELTS training, and ECA reports, we offer complete support throughout the process. Start your Canada immigration journey!

How to Apply for Canada PR in 5 simple steps

Canada has the required ingredients to live, work and settle for the long term. You can even include your family members in the application as well so that they can have access to the perks which come when you apply for Canada PR visa.

Because of a persistent labor shortage, an increasingly aging population, and low birth rates are some of the very pressing issues because of which it is best to apply for permanent residency. Canada needs immigrants like never before setting targets which shall help in revamping and restructuring the Canadian economy as a whole.

Also, the job vacancies in Canada have reached a historic all-time high wherein the labor market of Canada needs skilled professionals who can get their visa for permanent residency via the Canada Express entry program that manages economic immigration programs such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), Canadian Experience Class (CEC), and Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP) are a few of them.

An application management system like the express entry system is basically a points-based system wherein you need a score of 67 points or more. Once you get a higher score you shall be given an Invitation to apply for permanent residence in a nation like Canada which provides all the necessary benefits such as insurance cover that is helpful since it helps you save a lot.

Points are granted based on multiple reasons such as age, work experience, education certificates, fluency in English or French language as well as other factors such as arranged employment and a genuine interest in living in the province as well as being able to economically establish themselves in the province. 

Once you are in the Canada Express entry program pool by creating an express entry profile. Your 67 points determine your initial eligibility into the pool after which you are ranked against what is known as a Comprehensive Ranking System. 

In this pool, you are granted points based on your individual factors. such as spouse skills, skills transferability, bonus points as well as core human capital factors. If you have CRS, then you can get 600 points extra from provincial nomination. You get nominated if your profession is present on the updated eligible skills occupation list.

The 67 points are needed in one of the Federal Skilled Worker programs and are calculated upon 100 whereas the comprehensive ranking system is calculated out of 1200 points. To even get a nomination or even the required points you need to know how to apply for Canada PR visa in general. We in this article shall elucidate on the step-by-step process for the same. 

Step 1 -  The first step is to fill out an online application form by signing in to your account, which can even be used to check the status of your application. After this, click the link to apply for permanent residence under Canada Express entry 

Once you fill out the application ensure that you have uploaded all the required documents. Take your ECA which is an educational credential assessment by an authorized assessing body of Canada to see whether it matches the Canadian education standards. 

Step 2 -  Do give your IELTS exam as the test results will need to be attached by approved test providers like IELTS or PTE based on different bands of writing, reading, speaking, and listening. This will add to your score for initial eligibility 

Step 3 - This step involves the creation of your Express Entry profile by registering under the Federal Skilled Worker program Express Entry program online. This profile is then submitted to the Express Entry pool based on whether or not you are eligible. You can even apply for provincial nominee programs as an option since it can help you gain points and increase your chances of receiving an invitation to apply for a PR visa. 

Step 4 - Submission of documents like a valid passport or travel document, test results, or a written job offer from a Canadian employer as well as proof of funds in the form of bank statements or pay stubs to prove that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family in Canada. 

Also, submit your police certificates to show that you have no previous criminal record, take medical exams as well as a birth certificate. You shall be provided a personalized document checklist for submission. 

Pay your fees for processing fees for your application, and if family members are included then add theirs as well. The right of permanent residence fee as well as the biometric fee is also essential. You can make this payment via an online account. 

Step 5 - Receive your Invitation to apply which you must within 60 days you receive your application. Do not delay this step and submit them along with all the required documents. Once you receive a request for visa stamping, soon after which Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) is sent to you.