The fact that Canada is among the top places in the world to relocate is no longer news. There are different ways you can explore if you want to relocate to Canada legally from Nigeria. If you truly want to relocate to Canada legally then look no further, help yourself and read through this complete guide to know the proven legal options, and everything you need to prepare for your Journey.
As you well know, Canada is full of opportunities for qualified and skilled people, and since the country is big they are constantly on the lookout for talented individuals to fill their labour force regardless of their home country. It may surprise you that millions of Nigerians are frantically trying to figure out how to legally apply for Canadian visas and relocate to Canada from Nigeria.
Many Nigerians find that moving to Canada opens up a world of options for them that they would not otherwise have in Nigeria. The fact that Canada is a top immigration destination for Nigerians is due in large part to its political stability, booming economy, and internationally renowned educational institutions. So, the country’s current state among other countless reasons why Nigerians want to emigrate to Canada.
How Can I Relocate to Canada Legally From Nigeria?
Proven Ways To Relocate to Canada Legally From Nigeria: It is not just enough to have the thought and drive to leave Nigeria for Canada, that would take you nowhere. The first thing you need to do is to know your options and chose the one that best suit you.
Thousands of Nigerians have successfully relocated to Canada through these legal means. Continue reading to know the different options that you can explore to relocate to Canada legally from Nigeria.
Federal Express Entry Program:
2015 saw the launch of the Federal Express Entry (EEP) program. Its main goal was, and still is, to make relocating to Canada easier for people with professional experience or talents in any field. Relocation via Express Entry is Canada’s primary mechanism for processing immigration applications for highly skilled people, much like boarding a cab to move from one place to another.
In addition to being an immigration program, Express Entry is also a system for processing applications for three different immigration programs in Canada, each of which targets a certain category of skilled workers.
Ideal candidates will have a university or college degree, relevant work experience, and a moderate level of English and/or French fluency. Because of this, experts from Nigeria typically perform well in the Express Entry pool. Additionally, qualified applicants may submit an Express Entry application under the following programs:
- Canadian Experience Class (CEC).
- Federal Skilled Worker (FSW).
- Federal Skilled Trades (FST).
How Express Entry Program Works in Nigeria
You must submit your skill or employment history, educational background, height(s), IELTS, and other criteria for each round of the Express Entry selection process as well as for the yearly selection order to use the Express Entry system.
You must submit your Express Entry profile for review after you’ve completed and double-checked it. You will be given a cutoff point But in this instance, it’s known as a CRS point, The Comprehensive Ranking System. Your data will be evaluated and generated using the score by the specifications. You will be informed about the next application process if you meet the requirements depending on your cut-off points.
Steps Involved in The Express Entry Application process
Step 1: Verify Your Eligibility Status
The first and most important step in the Canada Express Entry application process is verifying your eligibility for the program of your choice. There are a few conditions that must be met to be eligible for any of the Express Entry Programs, while each program listed above has its unique requirements. The general requirements are:
- Job/Work Experience: You must have at least one year of constant, full-time skilled work experience (or the equivalent number of part-time hours) to be eligible for an Express Entry Program.
- Language Proficiency: You must have a minimum Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) score of seven in either English or French, the two official languages of Canada. Multiple tests are accepted by the CLB for each language and it covers four major areas of each language; Reading, Listening, Speaking, and Writing.
There are two tests for English: the Canadian English Language Proficiency Index Program(CELPIP), and the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Also, there are two tests for French: the Test de Connaissance du Français(TCF), and the Test d’Evaluation de Français (TEF). - Travel Documents: To submit your Express Entry profile, you must have a valid travel document, including a passport. All your documents must still be valid for the duration of the Express Entry process.
- Tertiary Education: You must have completed a post-secondary degree that has been evaluated by an Educational Credential Assessment and is comparable to Canadian norms (ECA).
- Medical Certification: You must be in good health condition, and provide proof through a medical examination conducted by a licensed medical expert.
- Criminal Records: No criminal records.
Step 2: Calculate Your CRS Score
Calculating your CRS (Comprehensive Ranking System)score is an excellent idea once you’ve confirmed your eligibility before submitting your application. You may predict with certainty how well you’ll perform in the upcoming Express Entry draws by knowing your CRS score. You can calculate your CRS with the calculator provided by the Canadian government, this is available on their website.
Step 3: Prepare Your Documents
It’s time to create your Express Entry profile after you’ve confirmed your eligibility and improved your CRS score. To do that, though, you must put together several documents that appropriately portray your information. Having your documents sourced before applying is also beneficial. You will need the following documents:
- Recent language tests
- Provincial Nomination (If you have one)
- National Occupation Classification (NOC); This is the Canadian classification for your current job, explicitly referring to the type and level of your employment.
- Proof of funds showing have sufficient settlement funds
- Passport
- Police certificates;
- Job letters from past employers legitimize your work experience.
- Results of a medical exam from certified health professionals;
- Canadian job offer (If you have one)
- Educational Transcripts
Step 4: Create an Express Entry profile
Here is how to create an express entry profile:
1. First get and arrange your documents; which include:
- Age Declaration
- Education Background
- Links to Canada
- Work experience
- Language Skills
- Marital Status
It’s a wise idea to begin compiling all of the required documents holding the necessary information to complete your Express Entry (EE) profile before actually finishing it. This is to make sure your application is accurate and without errors. Any errors made potentially cause a delay in the approval of your visa or even a visa denial.
Additionally, having all of your documents ready is beneficial because you will have 60 days from the time your Express Entry profile is created to complete and submit it. The last thing you want is to still be looking for documents that contain the information you need and end up missing the deadline.
2. Open Your EE Account:
You can easily proceed with submitting your Express Entry application now that you have prepared all the necessary documents. However, you must first create an IRCC-protected Express Entry profile. You can register with a GCKey by generating a username and password, or you can signup by using your online banking credentials from Canada. The IRCC will decide which Express Entry program you qualify for after you have submitted your application. The following papers are required to finish your profile:
- Your passport or travel document;
- Language test results;
- Proof of Canadian education or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA);
- Provincial Nomination (PN) if applicable;
- Written job offer from an employer in Canada if applicable; and
- Proof of funds to settle in Canada.
3. Submit Your Application:
Your profile will be added to a draw pool with other applicants as soon as you apply. A Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score will be given to you, and if you are chosen, you will be given an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residence in Canada. You must submit your application for this status within 60 days of obtaining your ITA.
You could apply for your police certifications in the interim since they might take some time to obtain. If there are chances to raise your CRS score, take advantage of them. You could do this by enhancing your language test scores, finishing a more challenging course of study, accumulating more work experience, or receiving a job offer in Canada. The better your CRS score, the more likely you are to receive your ITA.
4. Updating Your Express Entry Profile:
Make sure to update your profile if anything related to the data that was used to create it changes. This includes beginning a new career, accepting or declining a job offer, taking a new language test, getting married or divorced, or having a new child through birth or adoption.
You run the risk of having your application rejected or being deemed unacceptable, which might result in a five-year visa ban if you don’t keep your Express Entry profile updated and receive an ITA based on misinformation
Step 5: Get Your ITA, Pay the Processing Fees, and Submit Your Application.
As soon as your Express Entry profile is complete, you must keep track of every Express Entry draw to determine the minimum need and if you’ll be qualified to receive your ITA. You will be alerted on your profile if you receive an ITA. The processing fees must be paid and all supporting documentation must be submitted within 60 days of receiving your ITA. The processing fees are as follows:
- Application Processing Fee 850
- Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF) 515
- Include a dependent child (per child) 230
Study Permit:
The next proven way to relocate to Canada legally from Nigeria is with a Study permit (without IELTS from Nigeria). Over 90% of Nigerians moving to Canada now do so by applying for a study permit since it is the most convenient and affordable option. Through this method, over 10,000 Nigerians legally migrated to Canada in the past year. If you’re interested in permanently relocating to Canada to work, study, or both, this might just be the best option for you.
You should consider relocating to Canada with this method if you don’t fancy the idea of taking the IELTS or TOEFL tests. Also, you don’t need to pay a travel agent if you use this moving strategy. All you have to do is enrol in a Canadian school, and apply for a study permit. The best news is that you can relocate to Canada with this method even if you are over 40. Now, how do you get started?
Steps Involved in a Study Permit Application
- Pick any Canadian University and select a program of study. The course you choose must be based on your educational and work history, with that, you will be able to defend your application and reason for studying this will increase your chances of getting a permit.
- Apply to the University or College: Once you have decided on a program, prepare your application and submit it. You can only apply for a study permit if you have received an acceptance letter from the designated learning institution(DLI).
- Apply for Your Study Permit: After a successful application, you will receive an offer letter from the institution. With this, you can proceed to submit your application for a study visa to Canadian immigration.
- You will get your study permit in Canada before you start your program.
- After graduating, you submit an application for permanent residence in Canada depending on your preferred province.
Required Documents For Study Permit Application
To complete your application, you will need the documents below:
- Letter of Acceptance into your chosen program of study.
- Proof of Financial Support: Proof that you have money to support yourself and any family members coming with you. You must show that you can cover your tuition fees as well as your cost of living (accommodation, food, etc.) for your first year in Canada.
- Identity documents: Birth certificate, marriage certificate and passport.
Family Sponsorship:
The next way that would be discussed on how to relocate to Canada legally from Nigeria is Family Sponsorship. Various programs allow family members in Canada to sponsor their family members. To sponsor a family member as a permanent resident under family class sponsorship, the sponsor must fulfil the following conditions:
- Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada aged at least 18 years.
- Have adequate resources to provide financial support to the sponsored person for the mandated duration.
- 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.
List of Family Members that Can be Sponsored :
- Conjugal Spouse.
- Dependent children.
- Common-Law partner.
- Parents.
- Grandparents
- Brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphaned, under 18 years of age and not married or in a common-law relationship.
- Another relative of any age or relationship but only under specific conditions.
- Accompanying relatives of the above (for example, spouse, partner and dependent children).
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP):
The thirteen provinces and territories that makeup Canada each run their provincial nominee programs or PNPs. The provinces’ immigration policies are distinctive and tailored to meet their own economic and demographic requirements because they have diverse populations and economies.
One of the simplest ways to immigrate to Canada is through PNP. The Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) was created to give provinces and territories the ability to encourage immigrants who have shown a desire to live in their area. It employs a scoring system based on numerous provinces to qualify you. Qualification Points are often assigned based on a combination of factors including age, employment history, education, language proficiency, and ties to the province.
The good thing about it is that you might not require a 6.5+ IELTS to be sure to try it out. With an average score then you are good to go. But there is a deal-breaker.
With PNP, you can’t decide where you want to live in Canada. The point is, if you have a needed skill in any Canadian province then the Provincial Nominee Program is for you. Canada’s 10 Provinces are; New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Manitoba, Nova Scotia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, British Columbia, Yukon, and Ontario.
Work Permit:
Canadian government offers over 500,000 work permit each year to temporary workers from different part of the world. With this work permit, you can relocate to Canada legally from Nigeria.
A work permit is another simple way to go from Nigeria to Canada. The application process for a work permit depends on the type of work permit you are applying for. There are two sorts of work permits: open work permits and closed work permits also known as employer-specific work permits.
You need to have a job placement from a Canadian employer supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) to apply for a close work permit. This means, you can’t work in any other place except you change your work permit, a closed work permit only allows you to work for only one employer in the same location. However, with an open work permit, you can work with any employer in Canada.
How to Apply for a Canada Work Permit
The procedure for requesting a temporary work permit in Canada is detailed below: A Visa Application Center or online are both acceptable places to apply.
Step 1: Find out the type of work permit you need to apply for to work in your desired job in Canada.
Step 2: Find out if you are eligible for a Canadian temporary work permit.
Step 3: Determine if you will apply online or if you will apply in written form.
Step 4: Obtain a positive Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your potential employer, if it is a closed work permit.
Step 5: Obtain a temporary job offer from your potential employer
Step 6: Gather All Required Documents and Forms
Step 7: Pay fees
Step 8: Apply
Documents Needed to Apply For a Work Permit
Depending on the type of work permit you are seeking specific documentation may be needed. The following records may need to be submitted with the application for a work permit:
- Completed application forms.
- Biometrics for Canada.
- Written offer of employment (if applicable).
- CV/ résumé.
- Recent passport-sized photos.
- Proof that you meet the job requirements.
- Copy of education credential.
- Certificat d’acceptation du Québec (CAQ) (if applicable).
- Family member’s proof of status (if applicable).
- Labour Market Impact Assessment (if applicable).
- Proof of status in Canada (if applicable).
- Marriage certificate (if applicable).
- Valid copy of your passport.
- Medical exam results (if requested).
- Evidence of financial means to stay in Canada and return to home country.
- Proof of payment for applicable government fees.
General Relocation Requirements
Although Canada accepts over 250,000 new immigrants each year, all immigrants must meet certain entrance requirements. Immigration to Canada starts with applying for permanent resident status. Canadian immigration laws consider permanent residence visa applications in four main categories. There are different requirements to be allowed to stay in Canada under each of these categories.
Qualified applicants are evaluated against six factors to determine their eligibility for immigration to Canada. Applicants must obtain a total of 67 points out of a possible 100 to qualify. The selection factors are Education, Language, Employment history, Age, Arranged employment, and Adaptability.
Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)
- How much money can I bring to Canada when I relocate? Any currency or financial assets you have valued at Can $10,000 or more must be declared every time you cross the border. This sum consists of Canadian, foreign, or a mix of the two currencies. Among the monetary instruments are bank drafts, bonds, checks, stocks, and traveller’s checks.
- Will Express Entry close? The express entry application takes a whole year, you can submit your profile at any time.
- How much will it cost to relocate to Canada? The expense of Express Entry and PNP immigration applications to Canada. In general, you would require about CAD 15,500 to settle in Canada without any family. Couples need about CAD 21,000, while families with kids need between CAD 25,000 and CAD 30,000.
- Do I need a job offer for Express Entry? No, you don’t need a job offer to apply for express entry to Canada. However, a valid job offer will increase your CRS score.
- How Long Does it Take to Apply for a Canadian Study Permit? Your application can be processed within 2 weeks or 16 weeks depending on your country of residence and the amount of application received.
- How long does Express Entry take? The process takes up to 6 months. Starting from when you submit your profile to when you get your PR visa. You can resubmit your profile if you do not receive an invitation after 12 months. In other words; Your profile will remain valid for 12 months in the Express Entry pool and upon issuance of the ITA, you will have 60 days to provide the requested full application of documents, once the immigration authorities receive your complete application, your permanent resident visa, IRCC may process your application in about six months.
- Can I work in Canada with a Study Permit? Yes, you can work in Canada while studying with your study permit. International students studying in Canada frequently receive automatic permission to work part-time.
Final Note on The Complete Guide on How to Relocate to Canada Legally From Nigeria
Many Nigerians dream of moving to Canada, and those who have made the move haven’t looked back. Are you trying to find the quickest route from Nigeria to permanent residency in Canada? The different ways to relocate to Canada as explained above will only be possible if you are ready to pursue your dreams and push through. All of them are interwoven, and you might just be lucky with anyone.
Express Entry allows you to migrate if you can sponsor yourself and satisfy all Canadian immigration requirements. Applying for the Provincial Nominee program will allow you to be nominated based on the needs of the specific Canadian province, and if you’re considering moving to Canada based on your ability and work experience you can explore the student permit option.