Canada has become a home far from home for a lot of Nigerians in recent years. Over 15000 Nigerians have migrated to Canada in 2021 with the number considered to be further increasing in the upcoming years. Nigeria has been one of the main source countries for immigrants moving to Canada this can be credited to their proficiency in English, hard-working nature and higher education.
As the government of Canada still welcomes immigrants to Canada, the following are the popular pathways on how to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria in 2022 and years beyond.
Note: This total does not include the settlement funds you must show before you can be allowed to settle in Canada. For a single applicant, you must have around $13,000 CAD while the amount varies for families according to their sizes.
1. Express Entry Program
Express entry is the most popular and fastest route for foreign nationals who want to live in Canada, as applicants can migrate in as fast as 6 months. This pathway normally processes applications for foreign nationals who want to acquire permanent residence in Canada.
Applicants with skilled work experience, university degrees, and language proficiency in English and French or either are ideal candidates in the Express Entry system. Though having a job offer is essential for other programs that will be discussed later, candidates applying through Express Entry do not need to have a job offer so as to be nominated in the Express Entry pool. Candidates in the pool are ranked against one another according to their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).
Candidates who qualify for the following programs are also eligible to submit an application under the Express Entry program:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC),
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) and
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
2. Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
Nigerian candidates who wish to live in a specific province or territory in Canada can apply through Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs). Each province or territory in Canada has its own unique immigration programs so that the coming foreign nationals meet these provinces/territories’ economic (labor market) and demographic needs.
With the exception of Quebec and Nunavut, most of Canada’s provinces and territories have at least one provincial nominee program that is aligned to Express Entry, making it one of the fastest pathways to Canadian permanent residence.
If a candidate is nominated through a PNP which is aligned with Express Entry, and Enhanced streams, you will receive an additional 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. This means the candidate is practically guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in a subsequent Express Entry draw.
Candidates can also come to Canada through PNP which isn’t aligned which Express Entry System, base stream. Candidates who meet the required skills needed in a specific province or territory can use this pathway if they don’t qualify for the Express Entry pool.
Applicants with skilled work experience, university degrees, and language proficiency in English and French or either is ideal candidates in the Express Entry system. Though having a job offer is essential for other programs that will be discussed later, candidates applying through Express Entry do not need to have a job offer so as to be nominated in the Express Entry pool. Candidates in the pool are ranked against one another according to their Comprehensive Ranking Score (CRS).
3. Family Sponsorship Program
Nothing surpasses family. Canada immigration considers family reunification as a top priority as well. The family class sponsorship program allows Canadians and Canadian permanent residents to sponsor their family members in Canada.
The following are the requirements to be fulfilled by the sponsor so as to reunite with his/her family member in Canada:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada aged at least 18 years.
- Reside in Canada, if they are a permanent resident. Canadian citizens can sponsor a family member even when living outside the country. However, he or she must reside in Canada when the sponsored family member becomes a permanent resident of Canada.
- Have adequate resources to provide financial support to the sponsored person for the mandated duration.
- Have a clean criminal record
- Must not receive social assistance except for reason of disability
4. Studying in Canada To Get Permanent Residence
Studying in a Canadian post-secondary institution offers a greater chance for immigrants to enhance their applications for permanent residence. Nigerian students may be able to obtain a Post-Graduation Work Permit upon graduation, which will enable them to live and work anywhere in Canada for up to three years.
Obtaining both Canadian study and work experience is highly valuable when it comes to CRS. A Nigerian student with those experiences can apply for permanent residence through the Canadian Experience Class, some PNPs, as well as the Quebec Experience Program for those who study in Quebec.
5. The Start-Up Visa program
The start-up visa program opens the door for entrepreneurs who are interested in starting businesses in Canada. Canada has opened its arms to international entrepreneurs with innovative business ideas. Nigerian talented entrepreneurs can apply for this program and be a part of building Canada’s economy as well as creating job opportunities for its people.
Eligible candidates can come to Canada on a work permit and will be granted Canadian permanent residence once they have established their business.
6. Other Federal Economic Programs
The government of Canada offers several federal economic programs to help bring in different foreign nationals to fill the occupational and demographic gaps in certain regions across Canada.
If you have a job offer in an in-demand field, or in a rural or Atlantic region of Canada, (New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island), you may be eligible to apply for permanent residence through another federal economic program.
Do you have a job offer in Canada, contact us to learn more about your immigration options.
How much does it cost to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria?
The cost of relocating to Canada from Nigeria is generally about $2,300 CAD for a single applicant, or around $4,500 CAD for a couple. However, the amount is not guaranteed, it will vary depending on the specific demands of the program you apply for.
Do I need to take a language test to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria?
If you want to move to Canada from Nigeria, you must take one of Canada’s official language exams, including IELTS or CELPIP for English language and TEF or TEC for French.
Both the English and French language tests have testing locations in Nigeria. Furthermore, there is no preferred test by the Canadian government, you can choose
