Move From Saudi Arabia to Canada With Licensed Immigration Consultants
Last updated:
Choosing to immigrate to Canada is an important and personal decision. RightWay Canada Immigration Services supports individuals and families in Saudi Arabia who are pursuing permanent residence, study or work opportunities, family reunification or another Canadian immigration pathway. Our role is to make the process clearer, more manageable and carefully prepared from the beginning.
Our team of licensed Canadian immigration consultants is regulated by the College of Immigration and Citizenship Consultants (CICC) and works in accordance with Canadian immigration requirements. Since 2016, RightWay Canada has assisted 604 clients from Saudi Arabia and earned multiple industry recognitions, along with a strong reputation reflected in positive client reviews.
Every immigration case is different. We take the time to understand each applicant’s circumstances and goals, assess the available options and provide clear guidance on eligibility, required documents and the steps ahead. Our support goes beyond completing forms, helping applicants approach the process with greater clarity and confidence. Book a consultation with a licensed immigration consultant to discuss your individual situation. Information about our services and pricing is available on our fees page.
Saudi Arabia to Canada Spousal Sponsorship
Applicants applying for spousal sponsorship from Saudi Arabia must follow the country-specific IRCC instructions alongside the standard sponsorship application checklist. These instructions identify the additional forms, military records, and civil-status documents that may be required for an application involving Saudi nationals.
For Saudi Arabia applicants, the requirements include Supplementary Information – Your Travels (IMM 5562), Details of Military Service (IMM 5546) for certain applicants with a senior government, military, defence, police, or National Service history, and military card or booklet copies where applicable. Applicants divorced in Saudi Arabia must also provide the specified divorce documents.
Required Forms
Applicants from Saudi Arabia must complete the following country-specific forms where applicable:
- Supplementary Information – Your Travels [IMM 5562]
- Required for the principal applicant.
- Required for all family members included in the application who are 18 years old or older.
- Details of Military Service [IMM 5546]
- Required for anyone included in the application who has ever:
- held a high-ranking or senior official government position, or
- served in the military, army, defence, or police unit, including National Service.
- Required for anyone included in the application who has ever:
If IMM 5546 applies, submit a copy of all pages of the person’s military card or booklet, including blank pages.
Military Documents
If the military service requirement applies, applicants must submit a copy of all pages of the person’s military card or booklet. This includes:
- pages with entries
- blank pages
Divorce Documents
If an applicant got a divorce in Saudi Arabia, they must submit a copy of the document that applies to their situation:
- final irrevocable divorce
- final divorce judgment
Saudi Arabia to Canada Study Permit
Applicants applying for a Canada study permit from Saudi Arabia must follow the Riyadh visa office instructions for local document requirements. These instructions are listed in the Riyadh Visa Office Additional Document Checklist — IMM 5847, which is used together with the standard Canada study permit checklist.
For Saudi Arabia applicants, IMM 5847 focuses on passport documents, academic records, financial evidence, sponsor or scholarship documents, a one-page study plan, and Saudi residence-status documents where applicable.
Required Forms
Saudi Arabia study permit applicants must follow the Riyadh Visa Office Additional Document Checklist for study permits.
Country-specific checklist:
IMM 5847 is used alongside the standard study permit checklist. It does not replace the general study permit requirements.
Applicants should submit the passport they intend to use for travel, together with a copy of the passport bio-data page. Previous passports may also be included to help document the applicant’s travel history. The passport should remain valid for at least six months from the date of arrival at the Canadian port of entry.
Applicants who are not Saudi citizens should also provide proof of their current immigration status in Saudi Arabia, including:
- a copy of their Saudi Residence Permit, or Iqama; and
- a copy of their exit and re-entry visa.
Student Records
Saudi Arabia study permit applicants should provide transcripts and graduation certificates from all institutions they have previously attended.
Academic records may include documents from:
- high school;
- university;
- language courses; and
- technical or vocational training.
Applicants who are still studying should also provide a letter from their current educational institution confirming their enrolment.
Returning students should include:
- a copy of their expired study permit;
- proof that they remain in good standing at their current Canadian educational institution;
- their anticipated return date; and
- academic records from the institutions they have attended in Canada.
Financial Evidence
Saudi Arabia study permit applicants should provide documents explaining how their studies will be funded.
When someone other than the applicant’s parents is providing financial support, the application should explain:
- how the applicant’s studies will be funded;
- the applicant’s relationship to the person or institution providing the funds;
- why that person or institution is providing financial support; and
- how the sponsor has the financial capacity to cover the applicant’s education expenses.
If the applicant’s expenses are covered by a scholarship, the application should include a letter from the sponsoring organization confirming:
- the applicant’s name and date of birth;
- the program and level of study;
- the name of the educational institution; and
- any accompanying family members covered by the scholarship.
Applicants who are not receiving a scholarship are encouraged to provide:
- employment letters for themselves or their parents, where applicable;
- bank statements for themselves or their parents covering the previous four to six months;
- proof of tuition or housing payments, if already paid; and
- proof of a student or education loan, where applicable.
Employment letters should be certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce.
Study Plan
Saudi Arabia study permit applicants must provide a one-page study plan explaining the purpose of their proposed studies in Canada.
The study plan should explain:
- why the applicant wants to study in Canada in the program to which they have been accepted;
- the applicant’s overall educational goal;
- why they are not pursuing a similar program in Saudi Arabia or in their country of residence or citizenship;
- what research they have conducted into available study options in Saudi Arabia or in their country of residence or citizenship;
- how the proposed program may improve their employment opportunities in Saudi Arabia or in their country of residence or citizenship;
- the ties they have to Saudi Arabia or to their country of residence or citizenship;
- how the applicant or their parents plan to cover tuition fees, other educational costs and living expenses; and
- whether the applicant has any siblings studying in Canada or elsewhere outside their home country.
For a minor applicant, the study plan should also explain the reasons for studying in Canada and the immigration status of the applicant’s parents or guardians in their current country of residence.
Saudi Arabia to Canada Visitor Visa
Applicants applying for a Canada visitor visa from Saudi Arabia must follow the Riyadh Visa Office Instructions, IMM 5887, alongside the standard temporary resident visa requirements. These instructions apply to Saudi Arabia applicants and set out local document, financial-evidence, and residence-status requirements.
For Saudi Arabia applicants, documents not in English or French require certified translations, and photocopies should generally be submitted because documents are not returned. The checklist outlines financial evidence for self-funded and sponsored travel, plus additional documents for family visits, business trips, events, short-term studies, medical travel, and minors.
Visa Office
IRCC does not publish a separate Saudi Arabia-only checklist under a different country name.
For visitor visa applications from Saudi Arabia, the official visa-office document available through IRCC is the Riyadh Visa Office Instructions, IMM 5887 E (02-2018).
These are Riyadh visa-office instructions for Saudi Arabia applicants.
Document Rules
The Riyadh checklist says that documents not in English or French must include a certified translation.
It also asks applicants to submit photocopies only, unless the checklist says otherwise, because documents are not returned.
Financial Documents
The Riyadh checklist gives specific financial-document examples.
For applicants paying for their own trip, the checklist lists:
- bank statements or bank book covering the past three months
- employer letter
- pay slips
- proof of pension
- business registration or trade licence
- investments
The checklist notes that employment letters should be certified by the Saudi Chamber of Commerce and should state:
- position
- salary
- length of service
- dates of contract
- dates of authorized leave
If another person is paying for the trip, the checklist asks for:
- letter signed by the person paying
- photocopy of that person’s passport or other official photo identification
- bank certificate showing sufficient funds
- explanation of the relationship
- documents dated within three months of the application date
Specific Situations
The Riyadh checklist includes some situation-specific document items.
For non-Saudi citizens applying from Saudi Arabia, the checklist asks for:
- copy of Saudi Residence Permit or Iqama
- copy of exit and re-entry visa
For applicants visiting family or friends in Canada, the checklist lists:
- invitation letter from the person in Canada
- evidence of the host’s legal authorization to be in Canada
For business travel, the checklist lists an invitation letter from the Canadian party conducting direct business with the applicant, including:
- company name
- inviter’s full name and title
- business address, email, website, and telephone number
- details of business activities
- trip duration
- statement showing who will pay the trip expenses
The checklist also lists an employer letter confirming:
- employment and title
- purpose of trip
- who is covering expenses
- company name
- company contact details
For trade shows or business conferences, the checklist lists:
- conference organizer letter confirming registration
- employer letter confirming employment, title, purpose of trip, expenses, company name, and company contact details
For short-term studies of six months or less, the checklist lists:
- letter of acceptance from the Canadian school
- tuition amount
- anticipated start and end dates
- latest registration date
- tuition receipts, if paid
- letter explaining the reason for studying in Canada
- copy of the highest diploma obtained
For applicants accessing medical services in Canada, the checklist lists:
- letter from a physician in Canada confirming care
- proof of insurance or sufficient funds to cover service costs
For minors travelling alone or with one parent, the checklist lists:
- proof of custody or consent letter from the non-accompanying parent
- copy of the non-accompanying parent’s identity document with signature
