Key Points
- Record immigration growth (2018–2022): Canada admitted 437,120 new permanent residents in 2022 (all-time high)[3]; Pakistan was the 7th-largest source (11,585 newcomers, 2.6% of all immigrants)[4].
- Skilled focus: Of Canada’s new PRs in 2022, 256,000 (58.5%) arrived via economic (skilled worker) programs[5]. Canada’s priority sectors (IT, healthcare, engineering) align with Pakistan’s talent pool[6].
- Economic impact: Immigrants comprise ~26% of Canada’s workforce[7], driving innovation and entrepreneurship. Pakistani-Canadian professionals help fill shortages in healthcare and tech[8], supporting economic growth.
- Diaspora & remittances: Approximately 215k–300k Canadians of Pakistani origin[9][10] maintain strong ties. Pakistan earns remittances[2].
- Trade and investment: Canada–Pakistan bilateral trade was C$1.11B in 2020[12], spanning education, ICT, energy and agri-food. Canada ranks among Pakistan’s top investors[12], and forthcoming agreements (e.g. FIPA) will strengthen these economic ties.
- Education & culture: Over 6,400 Pakistani students came to Canada in 2022[13], creating a skilled talent pipeline. Migrants and their families enrich Canadian society and promote cultural exchange between the countries.
- Policy alignment: Canada’s 2023–25 Immigration Levels Plan targets up to 500,000 new immigrants per year[9][14]. Both governments are enhancing cooperation (e.g. negotiating an investment treaty[15] and skills programs) to maximize shared benefits.
| Immigration Category | New Canadian PRs (2022) |
| Economic (skilled) | 256,000 (58.5%)[5] |
| Family Class | 97,165 (22.2%)[5] |
| Refugees/Protected | 75,330 (17.2%)[17] |
| Other | 8,625 (2.1%)[16] |
| Total | 437,120 |
Economic and Social Benefits for Canada
For Canadian policymakers and businesses, skilled immigration is a key economic driver. Canada’s selection programs (Express Entry, Provincial Nominees) ensure newcomers meet labour market needs. In 2022, nearly 60% of new PRs were admitted under economic (skilled worker) streams[5]. Many Pakistani professionals arrive via these channels, bolstering sectors like healthcare and IT. For instance, in 2023 Canada held a special Express Entry draw inviting 500 healthcare workers[6], a field where many Pakistani-Canadian doctors and nurses have expertise. These immigrants help fill critical shortages (doctors, engineers, tech experts) and spur innovation. Beyond filling jobs, migrants contribute entrepreneurship and cultural vibrancy. Pakistani-Canadians have founded tech startups, consultancies and small businesses across Canada, creating jobs and new products. They also bring language and global networks – fluent in English and South Asian languages – which facilitate international trade and collaboration. Family reunification streams help integrate newcomers, and the children of immigrants (e.g. Pakistani-Canadians entering universities and professional fields) further amplify the economic and cultural payoff of migration.Benefits for Pakistan
Pakistan gains significantly from this relationship. Overseas Pakistanis send home billions each year, providing foreign exchange and poverty alleviation. As noted, Pakistan was the among top ten remittance [2]. Likewise, Canadian-Pakistani also contribute to remittances [11]. These inflows support Pakistan’s economic stability, fund education and health for families, and strengthen reserves. Moreover, professionals who migrate or study abroad often transfer skills back home. Returnees bring know-how in medicine, engineering and IT; diaspora investors may launch businesses or joint ventures in Pakistan. Economic ties are also deepening. Canada–Pakistan merchandise trade hit C$1.11B in 2020[12], and sectors like education, clean technology, mining and agri-food have been highlighted for growth[12]. Several Canadian companies and Pakistani-Canadian entrepreneurs invest in Pakistan’s infrastructure and tech startups. Both countries are negotiating a Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPA)[15] to safeguard these projects. On the education front, Canada hosts thousands of Pakistani students (about 6,400 new permits in 2022[13]), who may later contribute to Pakistan’s development through research ties or returning with advanced degrees.Policy and Cooperation
Seeing these synergies, governments on both sides have aligned policies. Canada’s 2023–2025 Immigration Levels Plan sets ambitious targets (465,000 PRs in 2023, 500,000 by 2025)[9][14], with continued emphasis on economic and family streams. Many of these opportunities are open to qualified Pakistanis. Federal and provincial initiatives (e.g. tech talent streams, rural programs) could be promoted in Pakistan via diaspora networks. Pakistan’s government, for its part, facilitates migration through training programs, legal channels and financial incentives for remitting funds. Bilateral cooperation also extends to investment and development. Negotiations on a Canada-Pakistan FIPA[15] aim to increase investor confidence. Development projects (education, energy) are co-funded by Canada, enhancing capacity in Pakistan. Diaspora-led councils and chambers of commerce actively promote trade missions. Academics and NGOs study migration trends, helping policymakers refine programs (for example, improving credential recognition so skilled migrants can work in their trained fields). Overall, this strategic partnership – backed by data and dialogue – turns migration into a structured conduit of shared prosperity.Conclusion
Canada–Pakistan migration is a partnership of prosperity. By attracting talented Pakistani immigrants, Canada fills labour needs and injects innovation into its economy; by sending remittances and expertise, its diaspora helps Pakistan grow and stabilize. Policymakers and investors in both countries stand to benefit when migration flows are managed wisely. Continued investments in training, friendly immigration policies and bilateral agreements will amplify these gains. In short, facilitating people-to-people mobility between Canada and Pakistan creates richer societies and stronger economies on both sides of the world. * Dr. Muhammad Jahanzaib is the Founder & Chief Visionary Officer (CVO) of Diamanium Thinkers, a global think tank. He holds a PhD in International Relations, specializing in the intersection of politics and economics in Pakistan’s foreign and domestic policy. A double gold medalist and published scholar, he writes on economic intelligence, economic diplomacy, political economy, AI, and regional cooperation in South Asia and beyond. He can be reached at jahanzaibdgc@gmail.com. References [1] [14] India And China Were The Top Sources Of New Permanent Residents To Canada In 2022 – Canada Immigration and Visa Information. Canadian Immigration Services and Free Online Evaluation. https://immigration.ca/india-and-china-were-the-top-sources-of-new-permanent-residents-to-canada-in-2022/ [2] [11] Remittances – MRC Pakistan https://www.mrc.org.pk/en/information-hub/remittances [3] [4] [5] [16] [17] IRCC unveils the top 10 source countries of new immigrants to Canada in 2022 | CIC News https://www.cicnews.com/2023/02/ircc-unveils-the-top-10-source-countries-of-new-immigrants-to-canada-in-2022-0233180.html [6] [8] [9] [13] Most popular ways to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan | CIC News https://www.cicnews.com/2023/07/most-popular-ways-to-immigrate-to-canada-from-pakistan-0735922.html [7] ARCHIVED – 2020 Annual Report to Parliament on Immigration – Canada.ca https://www.canada.ca/en/immigration-refugees-citizenship/corporate/publications-manuals/annual-report-parliament-immigration-2020.html [10] [12] Canada-Pakistan relations https://www.international.gc.ca/country-pays/pakistan/relations.aspx?lang=eng [15] Canada-Pakistan Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement Negotiations https://www.international.gc.ca/trade-commerce/trade-agreements-accords-commerciaux/agr-acc/pakistan/fipa-apie/background-contexte.aspx?lang=eng