How Much Does It Cost to Move to Canada from Pakistan — Real Numbers 2026
The total real cost of moving to Canada from Pakistan through Express Entry is PKR 1.8–2.4 million before you leave — visa fees, ECA, IELTS, biometrics, medicals, and settlement funds. Here is every cost broken down so you can plan your budget accurately.
Most guides about Canada Express Entry tell you how to apply. This one tells you how much money you actually need before you board your first flight.
The numbers are significant. Between IELTS, WES evaluation, visa fees, medical exams, and the settlement funds you need on arrival, the total cost of moving to Canada from Pakistan typically ranges from PKR 1.8 million to PKR 2.5 million — before you even start your first month of living there.
This is not to discourage you. It is to prevent the situation many Pakistanis face: progressing through the Express Entry process for months, receiving an ITA, and then discovering the settlement fund requirement for the first time. Plan for the real numbers from the start.
The Full Cost Breakdown — Step by Step
Stage 1 — Before You Can Enter the Express Entry Pool
These costs happen before you even have a profile in the Express Entry system.
IELTS General Training or Academic
Required to prove English language proficiency. CLB 7 in all four bands minimum for Express Entry points.
Cost: PKR 35,000–40,000 per attempt (British Council or IDP Pakistan, as of 2026).
You may need more than one attempt — budget for two sittings: PKR 70,000–80,000 to be safe.
PTE Academic (alternative to IELTS)
Slightly faster results (48 hours vs 13 days for IELTS).
Cost: PKR 30,000–35,000 per attempt.
WES Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)
Required for your Pakistani degree to count for CRS education points.
Cost: CAD $325 (approximately PKR 80,000) for WES Premium service (7 business days).
Standard service: CAD $245 (~PKR 60,000) but takes 65 business days.
Additional cost: IBCC equivalency for your SSC and HSSC certificates — PKR 2,000–3,500 and 3–6 weeks.
University transcript sending fee: PKR 1,000–3,000 (your university charges this).
ECA total: approximately PKR 85,000–90,000
HEC and MOFA Attestation (for documents WES requires)
HEC attestation for degree: PKR 2,500
MOFA attestation: PKR 1,500–2,000
Board attestation for school certificates (x2): PKR 2,000
Attestation total: approximately PKR 6,000–7,000
Stage 2 — After ITA, Before Submitting PR Application
Once you receive an Invitation to Apply, you have 60 days to submit your complete PR application. These costs hit during that window.
Express Entry PR Application Fee
Principal applicant: CAD $850 (~PKR 210,000)
Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) — paid when approved but usually paid upfront: CAD $500 (~PKR 123,000)
Spouse (if including): CAD $850 + $500 RPRF (~PKR 333,000 additional)
Each dependent child under 22: CAD $230 (~PKR 57,000)
For a single applicant: CAD $1,350 = approximately PKR 333,000
For a couple with one child: CAD $2,830 = approximately PKR 697,000
Medical Examination
Every person included in your PR application must complete a medical exam with an IRCC-approved Panel Physician.
Pakistan approved Panel Physicians: CIBTvisas partner clinics in Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad.
Cost: approximately PKR 25,000–40,000 per adult, less for children.
Medical total (single applicant): PKR 25,000–40,000
Medical total (couple + 1 child): PKR 60,000–90,000
Biometrics
Biometric data collection for fingerprints and photo.
Fee: CAD $85 per person (~PKR 21,000), or CAD $170 for families (~PKR 42,000).
Paid at a Visa Application Centre (VFS Global in Pakistan).
Police Clearance Certificate (Pakistan)
Pakistan National Police Character Certificate from NADRA: PKR 500–1,000 per person.
Processing: 2–4 weeks.
Pakistani Bank Statements and Documents
Official bank statement printing fees: PKR 500–2,000 (varies by bank).
Notary/lawyer fees for certified copies: PKR 2,000–5,000.
Stage 3 — Settlement Funds (The Big Number)
This is the requirement most Pakistanis underestimate. When you submit your PR application, you must prove you have sufficient funds to settle in Canada. This is on top of all the visa fees above — it is separate money that must be sitting in your account.
Required settlement funds (2026) for FSWP applicants:
| Family size | CAD required | PKR equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 1 person | $14,690 | ~PKR 3,618,000 |
| 2 people | $18,288 | ~PKR 4,505,000 |
| 3 people | $22,483 | ~PKR 5,539,000 |
| 4 people | $27,297 | ~PKR 6,723,000 |
| 5 people | $30,690 | ~PKR 7,560,000 |
CEC (Canadian Experience Class) applicants: settlement funds not required. This is only required for FSWP (Federal Skilled Worker Program) applicants applying from outside Canada.
Important: These funds must be genuinely yours — liquid, accessible, and in your bank account consistently over the past 4 months. Sudden deposits of borrowed money will not satisfy the requirement.
Stage 4 — Flight and First Month in Canada
This is not a visa cost but it is a real cost you must budget before leaving Pakistan.
Return or one-way flight to Canada
One-way economy: PKR 250,000–400,000 depending on airline and city.
Family of four one-way flights: PKR 1,000,000–1,600,000.
First month accommodation in Canada
Short-term accommodation (Airbnb, extended stay hotel) while finding a long-term rental: CAD $1,500–3,000 (~PKR 370,000–740,000) per month depending on city.
Toronto: significantly more expensive. Calgary and Edmonton: more affordable.
SIN (Social Insurance Number) registration: Free.
Province health insurance: Free or low-cost depending on province but starts after a waiting period (Ontario: 3 months). Get IRCC-recommended bridging health insurance for the waiting period: approximately CAD $100–200/month (~PKR 25,000–50,000/month).
Total Cost Summary
Single Applicant (FSWP — No Canadian Work Experience)
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| IELTS (2 attempts) | PKR 75,000 |
| WES ECA + IBCC | PKR 90,000 |
| Attestation (HEC, MOFA, Board) | PKR 7,000 |
| PR application fee (principal) | PKR 210,000 |
| RPRF fee | PKR 123,000 |
| Medical exam | PKR 35,000 |
| Biometrics | PKR 21,000 |
| Police clearance + documents | PKR 5,000 |
| **Subtotal (before settlement funds)** | **PKR 566,000** |
| **Settlement funds (must show)** | **PKR 3,618,000** |
| **Total required** | **PKR 4,184,000** |
| Flight + first month accommodation | PKR 650,000–1,000,000 |
| **Grand total before earning anything** | **PKR 4.8–5.2 million** |
Couple (FSWP, no children)
| Cost Item | Amount |
|---|---|
| IELTS x2 | PKR 150,000 |
| WES x2 + attestation | PKR 190,000 |
| PR application fees (x2) | PKR 420,000 |
| RPRF x2 | PKR 246,000 |
| Medicals x2 | PKR 70,000 |
| Biometrics x2 | PKR 42,000 |
| Documents | PKR 10,000 |
| **Subtotal** | **PKR 1,128,000** |
| **Settlement funds** | **PKR 4,505,000** |
| **Total required** | **PKR 5,633,000** |
| Flights x2 + first month | PKR 1,300,000–1,800,000 |
| **Grand total** | **PKR 6.9–7.4 million** |
How to Reduce the Cost
CEC instead of FSWP if you have Canadian work experience. No settlement funds required. If you can get a Canadian work permit first and work in Canada for 1 year, you qualify for CEC — eliminating the settlement fund requirement and significantly reducing total cost.
Study permit pathway. Getting a Canadian study permit first (cost: approximately CAD $150 + IELTS + tuition) allows you to enter Canada, work part-time, and build CEC eligibility over 1–2 years. The total cost is higher in tuition but the settlement fund burden is reduced.
PNP instead of federal FSWP. Some Provincial Nominee Programs have different settlement fund requirements. Check province-specific requirements.
IELTS preparation. Every extra IELTS attempt costs PKR 35,000–40,000 and adds months. Prepare thoroughly for 3–4 months before your first attempt. British Council offers official IELTS preparation materials free online.
WES timing. Start WES during the research phase — not after your ITA. WES takes 7 business days on premium service but universities can take weeks to send transcripts. Start early, not during the 60-day ITA window.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I get a loan for settlement funds?
No — IRCC requires that settlement funds are genuinely yours and available. Loan proceeds that you are obligated to repay do not qualify. The funds must be unencumbered.
Do I need all this money immediately?
No — the costs are spread across the 12–24 months of the Express Entry process. IELTS and WES happen first. Visa fees and medical happen after ITA. Settlement funds must be shown at PR application stage. Plan the budget over the full timeline.
Is there any financial support for new immigrants arriving in Canada?
Not during the PR application stage. Once you arrive and have your PR card, some provinces offer settlement services (free English classes, employment support) but there is no cash grant.
Internal links: Canada Express Entry 2026 — Complete Guide · Canada Express Entry CRS Score 2026 · Canada PR Documents Checklist 2026 · Canada PNP 2026 · Cost of Living Canada 2026 · How to Send Money from Pakistan 2026 · HEC Attestation & MOFA Process 2026
IRCC fees, WES charges, and settlement fund requirements are updated periodically. Always verify current fee amounts at [ircc.canada.ca](https://ircc.canada.ca) and [wes.org](https://wes.org) before budgeting. PKR equivalents are approximate based on March 2026 exchange rates. This article reflects March 2026 data.