Best Ways to Immigrate to Canada From Nigeria
Thousands of Nigerians immigrate to Canada every year, making Nigeria one of the top countries of origin for Canadian immigration.
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There are at least eight ways you can immigrate to Canada:
Express Entry
Express Entry is an online Canadian immigration application management system that was officially created and launched in 2015.
Its purpose is to simplify the management of applications for Canadian permanent residency, and also help speed up the process of choosing the applicants who are eligible to apply for such visas.
The program is dedicated for three types of Canadian permanent residency visas, such as the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Federal Skilled Trades Program, and Canadian Experience Class Program; however, Provincial Nominee Program applications can also be processed using the Express Entry system.
In general, a skilled foreign worker will file an online Express Entry profile and after receiving an Invitation to Apply, he or she will have up to 60 days to file a complete application to become a Canadian permanent resident (a decision is usually received within 6 months after the PR application is filed).
Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)
The FSWP is one of the most popular programs for immigrating to Canada and allows people with certain skillsets to be eligible for permanent residency in Canada.
In order to be eligible for the FSWP, you need to meet certain criteria such as:
- Having 1 year of work experience during the past 10 years in one of the TEER 0, 1, 2 or 3 occupations on the 2021 NOC list that is eligible for the FSWP
- Meeting the English or French language proficiency criteria (for example, have an IELTS or TEF exam score with at least the minimum score that is required)
- Receiving at least 67 out of 100 points for your age, education, relevant work experience, English/French language skills, Canadian job offer and adaptability
Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP)
This Canadian immigration program is for eligible skilled foreign trades people.
The requirements for FSTP include:
- Two years of work experience within the five years before you apply for the program in a skilled trade that qualifies for the FSTP
- Meet English or French language proficiency criteria by receiving at least the minimum required score on an evaluation exam (such as the IELTS or TEF)
- Have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer OR a Certificate of Qualification in the skilled trade issued by a Canadian provincial, territorial or federal authority
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
As you might know, Canada has ten provinces and three territories and 11 of these can nominate a candidate for a Canadian Permanent Resident Visa, hence the name – Provincial Nominee Program (PNP).
Only the French-speaking province of Quebec and territory of Nunavut do not participate in the PNP, however, Quebec has its own Regular Skilled Worker Program.
In order to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria through a PNP, you must first apply to a PNP and receive a nomination for Canadian permanent residency.
This means that your skillset, education, work experience, and language proficiency should meet the minimum requirements of the PNP for the specific province that you are interested in.
After you receive a nomination, you can apply for immigration to Canada from Nigeria through the PNP using the Express Entry system.
If you are approved for immigration to Canada from Nigeria through the PNP, you will live and work in the province or territory that nominated you for Canadian permanent residency.
Agri-Food Pilot Program (AFPP)
The Agricultural and Food Pilot Program (AFPP) is an ambitious five-year project and was recently launched in April 2020 by the Government of Canada.
The AFPP is dedicated to creating new job opportunities for the Canadians, and also for agricultural workers from abroad, who will be able to contribute to the country’s agricultural and food-producing industries.
A foreign worker must satisfy the Canadian work experience requirement, such as having at least 1 year of full-time work experience during the past 3 years in at least one of the occupations that is eligible for this program.
There is also a requirement for the foreign worker to have a valid full-time job offer from an employer in Canada for an eligible occupation and the job must be permanent.
Another requirement for the Agri-Food Pilot Program is to have at least CLB 4 level English or NCLC level French language skills as demonstrated by taking an authorized evaluation exam for English (such as the IELTS) or French (such as the TEF).
The education requirement for the AFPP is to possess at least a Canadian high school diploma or receive a favorable Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) that shows that your secondary or post-secondary education received outside of Canada is valid and equivalent to a Canadian education.
Caregiver Program
The Caregiver Program offers opportunities for qualified caregivers to become Canadian permanent residents or to work in Canada on a temporary basis.
Examples of jobs in Canada that qualify for the Caregiver Program are home support workers and home child care providers.
A key requirement for the Caregiver Program is to have a Canadian employer who will sponsor your immigration to Canada from Nigeria.
Study Permits
A study permit is given to an international student who has been officially accepted by a designated Canadian learning institution, such as a university, college, or private school.
The permit will be given for the duration of the studies and you will need to leave Canada upon completing your studies.
However, some of the study programs will allow you to apply for a post-graduate work permit, so you will be able to prolong your stay in Canada legally and get more work experience.
Furthermore, if you have at least 1 year of full-time paid work experience in a skilled occupation in Canada during a 3-year period, you may be able to apply to become a Canadian permanent resident through the Canadian Experience Class Program.
Family Sponsorship
If you have a family member in Canada who is a Canadian permanent resident or citizen, you will be able to apply for this program.
The Family Sponsorship Program is designed to help the unification of the immigrant family members in Canada.
One of the main eligibility requirements is that the family member must be a close family member, such as your:
- spouse
- common-law partner
- conjugal partner
- dependent child
- parent or grandparent
- orphaned brother or sister under 18 years of age and without a spouse/partner
- orphaned nephew or niece under 18 years of age and without a spouse/partner
- orphaned grandchild under 18 years of age and without a spouse/partner
Your family sponsor living in Canada will need to prove he or she has the financial ability to take care of you upon your arrival for the first three years.
You will also need to prove your family relationship and family sponsor’s residency status in Canada.
Conclusion
The fact that thousands of Nigerians move to Canada every year shows that it is indeed possible.
If moving to Canada from Nigeria is your dream, then take the steps toward making your dream come true.
Since 2012, Canadian Visa Expert has been working with authorized immigration consultants who can check your eligibility to legally immigrate to Canada from Nigeria and also guide you through each step of the application process if you qualify.
Today, you can take the first step and find out which program is the most suitable for you.
Discover Frequently Asked Questions from Our Support
Is it good to leave Nigeria and go to Canada?
This is a questions that only you can answer. Nonetheless, Canada has a lot to offer, and if what it has to offer meets your desires and goals, then, yes, by all means, move to Canada from Nigeria.
What is the easiest way to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria?
The easiest way to move to Canada from Nigeria will be the one that suits your profile best. Most importantly, you need to find the Canadian visa program that you qualify for and then take the steps to apply for it. For skilled foreign workers, Express Entry is one of the fastest and easiest ways to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria.
How much does it cost to legally immigrate to Canada?
In order to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria as a permanent resident, a skilled foreign worker will pay several thousand Canadian Dollars (CAD) for government fees and non-government expenses during the entire process. The amount will depend on the size of your family, where you will live in Canada and other factors. You and your spouse/partner (if relevant) will each need to pay the $850 CAD Canadian Permanent Residency Application Fee and the $515 CAD Right of Permanent Residence Fee. The Dependent Child Fee is $230 CAD per child (if relevant). The Biometrics Fee is $85 CAD for 1 person or $170 CAD for a family of 2 or more. Each family member will need to pay the $50 CAD Canadian Permanent Resident Card Fee. In addition to the government fees, the non-government expenses may include costs for the English or French language evaluation exam; Educational Credential Assessment (if required); medical exam(s); transportation to Canada; and living expenses after arriving in Canada.
How long does it take to legally immigrate to Canada?
The answer to the question of how long it takes to legally immigrate to Canada from Nigeria depends on a variety of factors, including the nature of the applicant's individual situation and the type of Canadian immigration program they are applying for. Generally speaking, it can take around 8-18 months for an individual or family to apply for and gain approval for Canadian permanent residency.
