Immigrating abroad is a huge choice, and I always advise Nigerians who want to relocate to Canada to do it legally. In view of the fact that Canada is Nigerian-friendly – whichever way you want to look at it, Nigerians are highly considered for immigration. In 2021 alone, over 15,000 Nigerians were granted permanent residency in Canada.
Besides, Nigerians are usually well qualified for Canadian immigration programs due to high English proficiency, high education level, and work experience.
If you want to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria lawfully, two popular options are the Federal Skilled Worker Program and the Provincial Nominee Program. Below, I will overview each of the pathways that you can follow and explain what needs to be done in order to apply.
By following the guide in this article, you will have a better chance of success in securing a visa to Canada.
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What are the ways to Legally Immigrate to Canada?
There has never been a better time for Nigerians to consider starting the process of relocating to Canada. Below are two common but legal ways you can migrate to Canada from Nigeria:
Federal Skilled Worker Program
The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be a good option for you if you are looking to immigrate to Canada. Through this program, you can acquire the highly coveted Canadian permanent residency.
Basically, the FSWP, under the Express Entry program, allows applicants with work experience and no connection to Canada or job offers to apply for permanent residence.
In order to be eligible for the FSWP, you must be able to use your work experience, language skills, education, and other human capital factors to be allowed to immigrate to Canada. In particular, you must meet the following requirements:
- Have at least one year of full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past Ten years in a skilled occupation categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill levels 0, A, or B.
- Demonstrate language proficiency at Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French, covering all language skills such as reading, writing, listening, and speaking.
- Possess a Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
- Score a minimum of 67 points on the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) six immigration selection factors, which include factors like age, education, work experience, language skills, and adaptability.
- Provide evidence that you have sufficient funds to support yourself and your family when settling in Canada.
Once you have all the above requirements and are eligible for the FSWP, you may upload your Express Entry Profile onto Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada’s (IRCC) website.
You will then receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and more. Every two weeks, IRCC sends out invitations to apply (ITAs) for permanent residency for the highest-scoring candidates in the pool. If you meet the cutoff score, you will get ITA to apply for Canada PR.
After getting an invitation, send all the required documents to the immigration refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC), for approval.
Provincial Nominee Program
Another option is through the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). You may be able to apply to immigrate to Canada directly through a PNP, provided you meet the eligibility criteria.
Basically, you will have to enter the Express Entry pool and be invited to apply for nomination by a province that will select you from the federal pool.
If you are nominated through Express Entry, you will receive an additional 600 CRS points, which means you are effectively guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply for permanent residence in an upcoming Express Entry draw.
After obtaining an invitation to apply, upload all the required supporting documents you have on the IRCC portal for your Canadian immigration application to be approved.
How long does it take to process Canadian immigration from Nigeria?
If you’re applying for a Canada permanent residency from Nigeria, then you should expect your visa processing time to be from 6 to 18 months. If you apply through the Provincial Nominee route within Nigeria, it could take up to 2 years.
It’s important to note that these processing times can sometimes be influenced by factors beyond your control, such as changes in policies, application volumes, etc. You can use this tool to check Canada immigration processing times on the IRCC website.
How much will it cost to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria?
Generally, immigrating to Canada from Nigeria costs around $15,500 CAD (₦9,043,210) for a single applicant and $21,000 CAD (₦12,255,445) for a couple. The cost of relocating to Canada with a family of four is between $25,000 to $30,000 CAD (₦14,589,816 to ₦17,507,779). Remember that the cost may differ based on whatever program you apply to and may vary depending on family size.
How much is a flight from Nigeria to Canada in Naira?
The average cost for a flight ticket from Nigeria to Canada through Ethiopian Airlines is ₦1,502,840* round trip from Murtala Muhammed International Airport to Toronto Pearson International Airport. Meanwhile, the cost of a one-way flight from Nigeria to Canada is ₦1,359,523*.
Kindly note that the cost of flight tickets also varies from time to time and between different airlines. And the variation in prices can be very high.
Most times, the differences in flight pricing are due to some factors, such as the time and period the flight is booked and the day and time the flight is planned to take off.
Is it hard to get a Canada visa in Nigeria?
Personally, I think it’s not difficult to get a Canadian visa, as many applicants get it in Nigeria. In my view, poor proof of tie to home country, the Lack of consistency in the field of study, random cash deposits to bank account, or weak employment status are the reasons many Nigerians seeking Canadian Visas are denied their applications. So, if you can carefully prepare your application, provide all the required documentation, and meet the eligibility requirements for your chosen visa, you should get it.
It’s also advisable to seek assistance from a qualified immigration consultant to ensure your application is complete and meets all requirements. You may reach out to me via the Contact US section or drop a comment below. Good luck!