November 4, 2024

A Traveler’s Journey: How to Apply for a Thailand Visit Visa from Pakistan

Think about organizing a vacation to Thailand—colourful markets on water, stunning and calm buildings of gods, and amazing sand areas. But before you dive into the adventure, there’s one essential step to take: applying for your visit visa. Here is your comprehensive guide that transmutes the visa application process into a traveled road and makes your trip as comfortable as possible.

Step 1: The Route – Choose the Right Visa Type

As a first step to the visa application, it is highly important that an individual establishes which category of visa the individual requires. In the case of tourism, the single-entry tourist visa usually is enough, and depending on the passport, you can enter the country for a stay of up to 60 days. However, if you think you may be coming more than once then go for a multiple entry visa, this visa is valid for six months and allows one to leave and come back to Thailand severally in the one period of six months.

The most common visa that may be granted to a visitor is the single-entry visa, and it is the only type of visa that we will be discussing here.

Step 2: Pack Your Essentials – Gather Required Documents

As with any journey, getting your documents in order is very much like placing your things in a suitcase. Here’s your visa documentation checklist:

  • Passport: Ensure your passport is valid for at least six months from your intended arrival date in Thailand.
  • Visa Application Form: Download the visa application form from the official website of the Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad or obtain one at the embassy.
  • Photographs: Two passport-sized photos taken against a white background.
  • Flight Booking: A confirmed return flight ticket showing your travel itinerary.
  • Proof of Accommodation: Confirmed hotel bookings or a letter from your host in Thailand.
  • Bank Statement: Financial proof showing you can support yourself during your stay—typically a 6-month bank statement with a minimum balance of PKR 100,000.

Make sure each document is accurate, unambiguous, and current.

Step 3: The Map – Navigating the Application Process

With your documents in hand, let’s chart the course:

  1. Fill Out the Application Form: Complete your visa application form meticulously. Double-check for errors to avoid delays.
  2. Submission: You can either drop the documents in at the Royal Thai Embassy located in Islamabad or you can use any of the authorized visa processing agencies to do so for you.
  3. Visa Fee: Submit your biometric fingerprints and pay the visa processing fee of about PKR 5,000 for a single entry tourist visa. This is regarding non-refundable fees, so be sure that all your paperwork is accurate.

Step 4: Pit Stop – Biometrics and Interview

Occasionally, applicants are requested to submit fingerprints and a photograph or be interviewed. In case you are asked to go to an interview, you may expect that there will be questions regarding your travel including where you are going, why you are traveling, your financials/income, and what you plan to do upon reaching Pakistan.

Step 5: Wait at the Gate – Visa Processing Time

When you have completed your submission of an application you will have to wait for some time. The time taken in the visa processing normally takes 7-10 working days. You should apply in advance before your travel dates, to cover for any delays that may occur.

Step 6: Take Off – Visa Approval and Travel

When you get the visa you get ready for take off! Grab your passport with the colorful sticker for the visa attached to it verify your travelling dates and pack your luggage. It would also be advisable to take a copy of your visa approval together with your traveling documents when traveling to take your flight.

Bonus Tip: Visa on Arrival (If You’re in a Hurry!)

Another option if you are traveling at short notice is to obtain a Visa on Arrival (VoA) at certain airports in Thailand. Pakistani citizens are entitled to this option which enables you to extend your stay to 15 days. However, applying beforehand through the embassy offers more flexibility, especially if you plan to stay longer.

Conclusion: Ready to Explore Thailand?

By following these general procedures, you’ll be set up to apply for your Thailand visit visa and conquer your dream vacation. Thai culture, wildlife, and beaches give much to explore—so don’t hold back if you are thinking of exploring Thailand.

References:

  • Royal Thai Embassy in Islamabad: Official Visa Requirements

 

October 22, 2024

Family Sponsorship: How to Bring Your Family Members from Pakistan to Canada

One noteworthy aspect of Canada’s immigration system is the family reunification immigration policy which allows Canadian citizens and permanent residents to apply for the immigration of certain family relatives. As for Pakistani immigrants in Canada, family sponsorship helps them to reunite with their family members whom they wish to come, work or study in the country. This report discusses the importance of family sponsorship particularly in Canada and the key components including who is eligible, how to apply and factors to consider to immigrate to Canada from Pakistan with family members.

1.Qualification for Sponsoring Family Members

Only certain family members can be sponsored by a Canadian citizen or a Permanent Resident living in Canada. One must be able to comply in order to sponsor:

  • Status in Canada: A Canadian citizen and a Permanent Resident who resides in Canada. A citizen living outside Canada may apply for family reunion but then, will be required to relocate to Canada, after the sponsored relative comes over.
  • Age: A person shall be 18 years and above before allying any of the family members.
  • Financial Requirements: Evidence that the person undertakes or will undertake certain maintenance for the sponsored person for some time so that this person will not come out for social assistance within the sponsorship period.
  • Acknowledgement of Sponsorship: Especially the relatives need to be taken care of, financially, by certain sponsors at least for some defined amount of time generally between 3 to 20 years dependent on the degree of relationship and age of the beneficiary.
  • No History of Sponsorship Failure: If historically you were sponsoring a person who received social assistance, then you are not permitted to sponsor a new person.

2.Who is eligible for Sponsorship

According to the family reunification Canadian program, it is possible for the sponsors to bring several categories of family members to Canada.

  1. Spouse or Common-Law Partner
  • The legally married couples or common-law couples that have lived together for one year can apply for a spousal sponsorship for their spouses and conjugal partners who are presently in Pakistan.
  • Every spouse or partner will undergo medical and criminal background checks as part of the application procedure.
  1. Dependent Children
  • If you have children, biological or adopted, that are under the age of 22 and single, you have the right to apply for their sponsorship for immigration purposes.
  • However, as per the immigration policy, an adult child, 22 years, who is mentally or physically disabled can still be considered as a minor if he/she is not able to earn.
  1. Parents and Grandparents
  • Under the Parent and Grandparent Sponsorship Program, Canadian citizens or permanent residents are allowed to sponsor the parents and grandparents.
  • Through a minimum necessary income dossier (MNI), sponsors are expected to prove their ability to look after their parents or grandparents financially before applying to sponsor them by showing how they supported themselves and/or their family through the three consecutive tax years preceding the contemporaneous application.
  • PGP runs a lottery system which means that the interested sponsors first have to submit the expression of interest after which they may be invited to apply.
  1. Other Eligible Relatives
  • In very few circumstances, you may qualify as a sponsor for a sibling who is an orphan, a brother’s son, a brother’s daughter, or a granddaughter under the age of 18 who is unmarried or who lives in free union.
  • Where there is no living relative of you in Canada whom you want sponsored and also no family members to be sponsored in Canada, you may sponsor other relative of any age.

3.Application Process for Family Sponsorship

The family sponsorship process includes a number of steps which are important in the process:

Step 1: Determine Eligibility

You need to make sure that you qualify in order to sponsor a family member before you apply. You must also make sure that your family member (spouse) is eligible to come to Canada (does not have a criminal record or serious medical issues).

Step 2: File Sponsorship Application

The sponsorship process begins with the submission of an application to Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). There are two applications:

  1. Sponsorship Application: This is the proof that you are sponsoring your family member.
  2. The immigration application: Which is then done by the immediate family member being sponsored, who will go through medical exams, bring police certificates and subject themselves to background checks.

Step 3: Pay Processing Fee

Family Sponsorship Fees Family sponsorship incurs multiple fees: one for the sponsorship, another fee for processing each sponsored family member and then there is the Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF).

Step 04: Application Process and Decision

IRCC will also assess the sponsorship application to confirm that the sponsor, as well as the family member(s), qualifies. There are different sponsorship types:

  • Spousal sponsorships are at an average of 12 months.
  • The demand and lottery system can make parent, as well as grandparent sponsorships longer.
  • Dependent child sponsorship may be a different case, but should also be processed more quickly than other types of applications.

Step 5- Approval and Travel to Canada

If the application is approved, your family will be given a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and a visa to come to Canada.

4.Letter of Offer Form and Sponsorship Agreement with Undertaking

If you qualify to sponsor, you will sign a sponsorship agreement with the Government of Canada. This is a legal contract that legally binds you to provide financial support to your family member for a certain period of time. It gives rise to a circumstance where the time duration of the whole process is subject to whom you are sponsoring:

  • Spouse or Partner: 3 years
  • Children: 10 years or until they turn 22 (or over), whichever comes first — Maximum of 3 years for children over 21 (dependent).
  • Parents and Grandparents: 20 years

Missing this commitment can have serious consequences and you may face legal action such as being banned from sponsoring again or even be required to pay back any social assistance the person you sponsored received.

5.Things to Think of For Pakistani Families

  1. Cultural and Social Integration

The multiculturalism in Canada facilitates Pakistani families to integrate into the society. There are significant Pakistani populations in major cities such as Toronto, Vancouver and Calgary who have established cultural associations, mosques for religious practice and community organizations.

  1. Healthcare and Education Outreach

For your sponsored family members, this means they will be free to benefit from Canada’s superior public services including nearly universal socialised healthcare and publicly funded education for children. Permanent residents may also qualify for other social programs, such as pensions and employment insurance.

  1. Time Delays Processing Challenges

Processing times can vary based on the type of family sponsorship you are using; Parents and grandparents not included. This could be a burden to many Pakistani families if they are hoping for their family members will arrive soon for assistance or company.

  1. Immigration Scams

It’s crucial to be aware of fraudulent immigration consultants who target families trying to sponsor relatives from countries like Pakistan. Only deal with licensed immigration consultants or lawyers registered with the Immigration Consultants of Canada Regulatory Council (ICCRC).

  1. Alternatives to Family Sponsorship

If family sponsorship is not immediately feasible, other options for family members include:

  • Visitor Visa: Family members can apply for a temporary visa to visit Canada, though they must prove that they intend to return to Pakistan after their visit.
  • Super Visa: Parents and grandparents can apply for a Super Visa, allowing them to visit Canada for up to 2 years at a time over a 10-year period.

 

Conclusion

Canada’s family sponsorship program is one of the most generous in the world, offering a path to permanent residency for spouses, children, parents, and even extended relatives. For Pakistani immigrants, the program provides a means to reunite with loved ones in a country that values family bonds and offers ample opportunities for a high quality of life. While the process can be time-consuming and requires careful planning, the benefits of living together as a family in Canada are well worth the effort. It’s advisable to work with a licensed immigration consultant or lawyer to navigate the process and ensure that all requirements are met efficiently.

October 16, 2024

Step-by-Step Guide to Applying for Canadian Immigration from Pakistan

Immigrating to a country like Canada is an option that this year’s Pakistani aspirants wish to achieve better employment opportunities, quality education, and a better quality of life. However, the process of immigration to Canada is, as was said earlier, relatively open; however, it is a complex process that implies several steps and demands compliance with a lot of actions. It aims to be a guide for immigrants from Pakistan to Canada; detailing the entire immigration process for persons seeking permanent residence in Canada based on different modes.

Step 1: Determine Eligibility and Choose the Right Program

Canada has many different programs for immigration, and first, everyone needs to figure out which of them fits their personal qualifications and further objectives. The most common programs are:

  • Express Entry: It includes occupation-restricted programs for applicants with job offers that have a point-based Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). It includes three sub-categories:
    1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
    2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
    3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC)
  • Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Both provincial and territorial governments obtain skills, related education, and work experience to nominate candidates for the program with the aim of contributing to the local economy of the province or governments.
  • Family Sponsorship: Family members who are either Canadian citizens or permanent residents of Canada can sponsor a candidate.
  • Quebec Skilled Worker Program (QSWP): It is a selection program intended for Quebec only and it has almost no link with the federal express entry system.

Before applying, use Canada’s online tools like the CRS calculator or eligibility checker on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website to determine which program you qualify for.

Step 2: Create an Express Entry Profile (For Express Entry Applicants)

For those who have opted to apply within the framework of the Express Entry system, you should create an online profile. The details you give when making your expression of interest will help you get a CRS score that ranks you against other applicants. The score is given according to age, level of education, general and foreign language proficiency, work experience, and flexibility.

Requirements for Profile Creation:

  • Language Proficiency: Candidate must take a language test in either English (IELTS or CELPIP) or French (TEF or TCF). Your result should not be older than 2 years at the time of application.
  • Educational Credential Assessment (ECA): Foreign degrees and diplomas need to be evaluated by an approved body, such as WES (World Education Services), to evaluate their equivalency to Canadian Standards.
  • Work Experience: Using the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) code provide details of your work experience.

After completing the profile, you will enter into the pool of Express Entry. After which you will receive an Invitation to Apply if your score is above the cut-off score in subsequent draws.

Step 3: Applying for Provincial Nomination (PNP Applicants Only)

When you are targeting a specific province, at some stage during the application process you will need to submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to the provincial immigration office. Provinces have their own set of criteria to examine the applicants according to the skills shortage and economic needs of that province. For instance, when one obtains a nomination from a province, one gets 600 points on the Comprehensive Ranking System that is used by Express Entry.

Important Considerations:

  • Refer to provincial guidelines for some general information before filing an EOI.
  • Some provinces permit application submission through their PNP without going through the Express Entry process through their PNP, bypassing the Express Entry system altogether.

Step 4: Arranging Required Documentation for PR Application

To be specific, as one gets an ITA from a province or territorial government, one has 60 days to make an application for permanent residency. Documentation is very crucial to an application and where one is most likely to get inaccurate or poorly completed documents, that is most likely where he will be terminated or rejected.

Key Documents Include:

  • Valid Passport: Make sure that you possess a valid passport at least for 6 months beyond your arrival date in Canada.
  • Proof of Funds: You must provide official proof that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family. Applicant can provide bank statements or financial documents as proof of funds availability.
  • Police Certificates: A police Character certificate is a must from all the countries you lived in for more than six months since the age of 18
  • Medical Examination: Medical examination with an IRCC-approved panel physician is a must to ensure that you meet Canada’s health requirements.
  • Offer of Employment (if applicable): If you have a valid job offer from any employer from Canada it can improve your chances significantly, especially for Express entry or PNP pathways.

Step 5: Submitting application and Payment of Dues

Once you possess all the above-mentioned documents it becomes easier to file your application through the IRCC’s online platform. Ensure that you pay all the relevant fees including the processing fee for yourself or any dependent on time. Remember to include all fees; application fees and processing fees for you and the rest of your dependents if any. Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) should also be paid as provided below.

Tentative Processing Fees (as of 2024):

  • Primary applicant: CAD 1,325 (including RPRF).
  • Spouse/partner: CAD 1,325.
  • Dependent child: CAD 225.

Payment of fees can be made via credit card, and failure to pay in full will result in application delays.

Step 6: Wait for Application Processing and Prepare for Next Steps

Appeal durations differ with the type of program and also with the volume of appeal filings. Express Entry profile processing time totals six months on average, while PNP and family sponsorship can take more time. When you apply, the application status can always be checked online via the IRCC account.

Post-Submission Considerations:

  • Biometrics: After submitting your application, you may be required to submit your biometrics (fingerprints and photograph). You will receive a request letter with instructions on how to complete this step.
  • Follow-Up Requests: IRCC may request additional documentation during the processing period. Respond promptly to avoid delays.

Step 7: Receive Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR)

After approval of the application, you will receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residency (COPR) and a permanent resident visa. Now you can travel to Canada as a new permanent resident.

Before traveling, make sure to:

  • Arrange proper accommodation in Canada.
  • Have sufficient funds to meet your expenses while settling.
  • Prepare important documents, such as educational and professional credentials, to facilitate integration into the Canadian workforce.

Final Thoughts

The immigration process is quite formalized and structured in Canada which means that there are general or main steps and concepts that need to be followed at every turn. As it is evident from the above-stated procedures, each candidate aspiring to apply to Pakistan should follow the procedures mentioned above to enhance his chances of success if applying through Express Entry, provincial nomination, or a family sponsorship program. To ensure a smooth process of application it is very important to avoid falling into pitfalls like missing deadlines, incomplete documents, and not following the SOPs.

For the latest updates and accurate information, always consult the official IRCC website and relevant provincial portals.

 

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