Those Pakistanis that seek to move abroad in 2024. Explore accessible immigration options and identify countries offering a smooth visa process along with an efficient pathways to Permanent Residence.
Canada’s Immigration Programs
In light of recent trends, Canada is the easiest country to immigrate into because of the simplicity of laws along with their smooth immigration process. There are various types of immigration programs available in Canada such as Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and family sponsorship that apply to potential applicants.
Express Entry System
The Express Entry is a points-based candidate selection where they are ranked based on age, education, work experience, and language proficiency. Pakistani candidates with high English proficiency and good job experience have a bright scope to pass through in their Ranking System of Express Entry. Canada’s Immigration goals are to surpass the 400,000 milestone for newcomers each year, adding more chances for applicants from Pakistan. This high quota suits Canada’s objective of fostering population growth.
Australia’s Immigration Pathways
Australia is an attractive destination for Pakistani immigrants looking to migrate in 2024, thanks to its diverse and practical immigration options. The Australian government offers several pathways, including the Skilled Independent Visa (subclass 189), the Skilled Nominated Visa (subclass 190), and the Temporary Skill Shortage Visa (subclass 482). These visas utilize a similar points-based system like Canada, granting points by considering the applicant’s age, education, work experience, and proficiency in the English language, hence in favor of more young-skilled people who can express themselves better in the language.
Skilled Occupation and State Nomination
In addition, the Australian Skilled Occupation List requires professions, in favor of Pakistani applicants possessing the right vacancy in the field. Every state and territory have its nomination system where extra points are awarded on a permanent residency application purely based on skills needed for local labor markets.
Post-Study Employment and Processing Times
There is great benefit in coming to Australia among Pakistani students because of the possibility of post-study employment where they can even apply for a post-study work. Progress has also been made in processing the time required to issue skilled visas. Depending on the type of visa, most applicants’ applications are currently processed within 6 to 12 months.
Ease of Immigration to Turkey
Turkey, by the end of 2024, is expected to be one of the easiest countries to immigrate to. Immigration policies are not complex, and residency requirements for Pakistanis are very lenient. Pakistani nationals can easily and remotely apply for an e-visa to visit Turkey. This entry visa can also be used by those planning to stay there for a long time. In addition, Turkey has a resident license for various residence cases, such as family, study, employment, and prolonged stay permits. Short-term resident permits are renewable yearly, with a possibility of long-term residence.
Citizenship and Community Support
The Citizenship by Investment (CBI) scheme in Turkey is preferred by Pakistani citizens. With at least $400,000 in real estate, or through certain types of investments, a foreign citizen can become a resident, and eventually a citizen of the country. Pakistanis do this because it fast-tracks their process of obtaining Turkish citizenship. After finishing their education in Turkey, Pakistani students can apply for residence or employment visas and extend their stay in Turkey. Turkey grants working visas to capable professionals. Those Pakistanis who also get jobs can get an employee work visa that may lead to settled permanent resident status. As the land is located on two continents and with our foreign connections, Turkey has good relations with Pakistan and hence enjoys mutual Islamic traditions, making our cultures quite similar.
Accelerated Citizenship and Community Support
Turkey’s immigration policies and its citizen laws are suitable for Pakistanis to apply to. Foreigners can apply for citizenship in Turkey after just five years of having a work or residence permit, which is shorter than in many other countries. Those who marry Turkish citizens or invest in Turkey can often obtain citizenship even faster. A relatively higher number of newly-arrived immigrant settlements becomes easier for them. A rising Pakistani community now helps support, share available resources, and bring newcomers up to speed and adapt more easily to conditions at this new place called home. Turkey’s fast application process for visas, the options to extend, and the pathways to citizenship have all contributed to the significant increase in Pakistanis migrating from Turkey to other countries around the world.
Popular Visa Options and Flexibility
In 2024, Portugal became one of the most popular destinations for Pakistani immigrants to opt with the main cause being of its lenient immigration law and a smooth visa process. These include different types of options, which include a study visa for students, a Golden Visa for investors, and a D7 Visa for high-income-generating people. Such kinds of residence qualification pathways opened up doors for professional, including students, professionals, or even pensioners. The D7 Visa is a “Passive Income Visa” that best caters to the interests of the Pakistani people as well because it gives an allowance to retirees, remote employees, and those who have managed to save money. This is a very flexible option because it does not require applicants to stay full-time in Portugal.
Comparing Portugal with Other European Countries
When we compare to other European countries, Portugal has a relatively low cost of living and the lowest investment requirements for one to apply for its Immigration plans. Why it is easier for Pakistani nationals to get Portugal’s Golden Visa. Some people are drawn to Portugal as it is probably one of the shortest routes to EU status, generally after five years of residence and minimal language competency requirements. Additionally, there is a growing number of Pakistanis in Portugal, especially in Lisbon and Porto, who can offer sources of support and work and cultural assimilation.
Opportunities for Students and Families
Through Portugal’s study visas which are available for students and their affordable cost tuition with a postgraduate work permit available for foreign students, local job opportunities, these make it easy for students to transition from studying into employment and residency. Additionally, family reunification- Portugal is also an amicable nation to the family allowing the citizen to bring into the country the spouse and children and even parents.
The procedures for obtaining a visa and staying in Portugal are simple, transparent, and quite fast compared to other countries within the EU. Additionally, Portugal is becoming a preferred destination for Pakistani people searching for a place to relocate to Europe because of residence formalities’ simplicity and low and relatively family-friendly legislation on living costs.
Visa Options for Pakistani Nationals
America is currently one of the most practical countries for Pakistani people to go, given its immigration procedures and lenient laws on immigration. The US immigration department is currently offering visas for family sponsor-based visas as well as employed-based visas. Employment-based visa programs, specifically the EB visa categories, are available for Pakistani candidates in industries e.g. STEM, technology, and medicine.
Family-sponsored immigration is also another common route through which Pakistani nationals can immigrate, provided that they have family members who are United States citizens or permanent residents, sponsoring them by immediate or extended relatives. This route is a viable alternative for students from eligible countries like Pakistan. Especially the students, this becomes a good route. Soon after completing the degree, the students can accumulate relevant work experience through OPT or CPT.
Pathways to Permanent Residency
In many cases, further down the line, some of them end up qualifying for H-1B, which is a step toward permanent residency. Pakistani company owners could get U.S. residency through investment programs, like the EB-5 Immigrant Investor Program, which usually provides green cards to investors and their immediate family members. Pakistani technical professionals can get specialist visas, such as the H-1B visa, which is typically for highly skilled workers but is a pathway to obtaining permanent residency.
An established Pakistani-American community, such as New York, Houston, and Chicago, offers support for new entrants by assisting them to find jobs and settle in. US immigration programs like the H-1B and other family-sponsored categories process applications in more predictable cycles, which is better for the planning of Pakistani citizens when deciding to move to the US. There are multiple U.S. programs the government is solely focusing on pathways through which they will grant people green cards, more emphasis is focused on family sponsorships. Having a green card can then directly lead to permanent residency in the U.S. leading to citizenship.
