How to Immigrate from Qatar to Canada

Canada is one of the leading immigration destinations for international migrants across the world. This is a fact that extends to migrants who come from the Middle East as well.

The recent rise in wealth in the region as facilitated by the widespread discovery, production, sale and distribution of wealth has led to an increase in the metrics that contribute to overall life satisfaction.

Qatar is one of the beneficiary nations of this recent wealth rise, and those Qatari citizens who are more ambitious and adventurous than the norm, taking a chance at a life in another country has increasingly become a decision taken by many.

The Middle Eastern country is one of the smallest, but Qatar’s profile has risen in recent years as a consequence of its hosting of prestigious international cultural and sporting events like the 2022 FIFA World Cup.

This rise in profile has not gone unnoticed by the West, and countries like Canada have become much more amenable to engaging in mutually beneficial programs with Qatar.

Trade and commerce has increased between the two nations and as is conventional with international relations once these two aspects of interaction between sovereign nations has been established, what follows is an easing of access to each country i.e the movement of people to and from the two nations.

If you’re Qatari and are looking to immigrate to Canada, there has ever been a better opportunity than now when the relationship between both countries has made it easier to visit and/or immigrate to each respective nation.

To help you leverage this opportunity, here at CanadianVisa we have constructed a guide that will help you understand how to immigrate from Qatar to Canada with these easy steps.

You can follow these steps to get you started on your application.

Step 1 - Choose where you want to live
Step 2 - Do a little research on your immigration needs
Step 3 - Pass basic requirements for most visa programs
Step 4 - Prepare your basic documents
Step 5 - Apply for a medical examination
Step 6 - Pass language tests
Step 7 - Get police clearance
Step 8 - Apply for your biometrics
Step 9 - Apply for an ECA; and
Step 10 - Start your application

Step 1 - Choose Where to Live

The first thing to learn on how to immigrate from Qatar to Canada is very simple. Find the right province or territory that meets your experiential needs.

As a consequence of having over 100 different immigration streams and categories, to avoid confusing yourself and unfortunately delaying the processing time of your application, you must have a clear idea of why you want to move to Canada in the first place. Consider whether you want to study, work, or just visit Canada.

The 13 provinces and territories have many different climates, economies, labor needs, family environments, health and educational services that cater to each unique area of Canada.

The Global Talent Stream helps talented IT workers find jobs with highly pedigreed Canadian companies. British Columbia’s Healthcare Professionals Stream was made to help doctors, nurses and other medical professionals migrate to the province due to massive labor shortages.

Other provinces have introduced the Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program to help international skilled workers make Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, or Newfoundland and Labrador their home. It also provides applicants the chance to bring their family to Canada with them.

Step 2 - Do Some Research

The next step you need to take with regards to How to immigrate from Qatar to Canada is to conduct research.

Express Entry is one of the most utilized immigration visa application systems used by many immigrants to immigrate to Canada from Qatar. The four main programs managed by the Express Entry system are the:

Via the Express Entry system, prospective immigrants have the chance to receive an ITA (Invitation to Apply) to become permanent residents within six months so long as they meet all the requirements of one of the programs mentioned above!

Did you know that, according to the Canadian Job Bank, there are approximately 470,000 jobs available in Canada each other! This is one of the reasons the country is constantly creating new immigration programs to help keep up with labor demands.

Another popular immigration program is the Family Sponsorship program that lets you bring your family over to Canada after you have obtained permanent residency status.

Many international students apply for a student visa to Canada to help them become permanent residents in the future. Some immigration streams and categories look more favorably on applicants who graduated from a Canadian university! These visa streams include the International Graduate Program and Graduate Entrepreneur Program.

The Post-graduation Work Permit Program is an immigration visa program that was specifically created to assist international students who have completed a qualification from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), whether a certificate, diploma, or degree, to stay and work in Canada.

International PGWP students in Canada are afforded the opportunity to receive an open work permit. This work permit will allow graduates to work full-time, part-time, or be self-employed for any employer anywhere in Canada and change jobs anytime.

Are you not positive about which visa programs are right for your unique needs? There is no need to worry. We can put you in contact with one of our Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultants who can talk to you about your options and the application process. They will guide you through the process of how to complete the contact form and they will call you personally to tell you all you need to know.

Step 3 - Pass Basic Requirements

All visas, no matter which provinces or territories they are in, have basic requirements you need to pass before you can go further with your immigration visa program application.

Work experience is normally a requirement for any economic immigration program. You must generally have around three years of work experience to apply. Application requirements can vary from program to program so make sure you know before you apply.

Take note that internships and volunteer work will generally not be enumerated as work experience. Some programs will require Canadian work experience.

Language ability matters. Depending on the place that you decided to immigrate to in Canada, your language skills in French or English can really influence your immigration chances.

You need to prove that you have the ability to speak, read, write, and listen in either of these languages to an acceptably sufficient degree. You can do this through the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) for English exams and TEF (Test d'evaluation) for French exams.

Please take care to select the General Option for these exams, as it is commonly used for immigration purposes. Veer away from selecting the Academic version unless you wish to study in Canada as an international student.

Clear criminal records are a must when you apply to immigrate to Canada. You must prove this through a Police Clearance Record. Anything from a DUI (Driving Under the Influence) to unpaid speeding tickets can cause real issues with your application.

Step 4 - Prepare Basic Documents

Canada is known for having some of the most strict and stringent immigration visa application processes among the major international immigration destinations.

Even the most well-researched and knowledgeable applicant is prone to making mistakes during the application process, especially when it comes to preparing the proper supporting documentation for submission.

As service to prospective applicants, we recommend taking note of the following table which presents a comprehensive description of each required document that you must submit along with your application.

To get ready for your immigration to Canada, you must at least prepare these basic documents.
A valid form of identification like your ID, passport, birth certificate or driver’s license;
Medical examination from an approved doctor from the Canadian Panel of Physicians;
Valid language exams results from IELTS or TEF that are not older than two years;
Police clearance document;
Biometrics; and an
ECA (Educational Credential Assessment)

Step 5 - Apply for a Medical Examination

There are a select set of doctors that you can go to for an accepted medical exam. These doctors are found on the Canadian Panel of Physicians. If you want to book your own appointment, here is a list of where to find them and their contact details.

City Name	Doctor Name	Contact Information
Doha	Mohammad Abdin Zin Al Abdin	+974 4442 0900
Doha	Jamil Al-Qatami	+974 4442 0900
Doha	Romaisa Ahmed	+974 4442 0900

You should also bring the following to your medical exam:

A legal form of ID like your passport or Driver’s license;
Medical reports if you have any existing medical conditions;
Medical report form IMM 1017E; and
4 passport size photos that were taken recently

Step 6 - Pass Language Tests

We mentioned earlier that there are two main language exams you can take. The IELTS and TEF must be conducted within two years of your application or your results will not be submitted for acceptance.

Exams for the IELTS generally cost in the range of QAR950 to QAR 2,500. TEF exams are around QAR1,100. These costs depend on where you take the test.

Step 7 - Get Police Clearance

You can apply for a Police Clearance by bringing the following:

Copy of your ID;
Fingerprints taken by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs;
Your passport;
Copy of your passport;
Copy of your resident permit;
Two recent photographs that are 4cm by 6cm; and
A letter explaining why you want to apply for police clearance

If you have any issues getting your Police Clearance, get in contact with the Ministry of Interior at 974-450-8666 or email any issues to ceid@moi.gov.qa.

Step 8 - Apply for Biometrics

It is important to know what biometrics actually are. Biometrics are a new security system that Canada has introduced to help monitor who comes in and out of the country.

It accomplishes this through fingerprint and facial recognition technology to ensure that no one can falsely use your information for illegal activities.

Immigrants from Qatar need to apply for their biometrics testing when they pass a certain stage in their immigration visa program application. You will receive a letter from IRCC (Immigration Refugee Canada Citizenship) that informs you that you need to apply for your biometrics. Make sure you do this within 30 days of getting that letter.

Step 9 - Apply for an ECA

An ECA is an Education Credential Assessment. ECAs are used to prove whether or not your education level meets Canada’s standards.

You need to apply for an ECA if you studied anywhere outside of Canada. Also, certain organizations like WES (World Education Services) can help you apply for this document.

Costs for ECAs are around QAR728 and take around 20 days to get your report. Just be aware that this deadline for the issuance of reports can change depending on how many applications the IRCC is handling at the time of your application submission.

Step 10 - Start your Canadian Visa Application

If you’re not sure about how to immigrate from Qatar to Canada, please take note of the following. You can still learn all you need to know about Canadian immigration through our RCICs who will inform you about job opportunities, visa requirements, provincial life, immigration news and so much more.

How we can Help you Move to Canada From Qatar

It may be helpful to enlist the help of a Regulated Canadian Immigration Consultant (RCIC) or an immigration lawyer to assist you with the application process, as the application fee is high, it cannot be refunded and it’s something you want to get right the first time around.

If you're unsure of your admissibility, you can always take an eligibility test that will determine if you qualify to enter Canada. If you require more assistance, hiring an RCIC that will guide you is the way to go.

FAQs

Which Place has the Largest Community of Qataris in Canada?

Toronto, Ontario, Canada’s most urbane, commercial and financially savvy city attracts the most foreign immigrants including Qataris.

Are There any Places of Worship for Qatari Nationals in Canada?

Canada has a large Muslim population which is also reflected in the large number of Mosques in most of the urban centers of the county.

What is the Best Place to Immigrate to Canada as a Qatari?

Qataris are mostly culturally savvy and upwardly mobile individuals, a disposition that mostly leads to success when situated in places like Canada.

How to Immigrate From Qatar to Canada