How to Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria

Relocating to Canada does not have to be a Herculean task. Whether you want to relocate to Canada with your family or want solo travelling, Pay4Me has highlighted some of the easy ways to relocate to Canada.

In recent years, Nigerians have found solace in Canada-thanks to its quality of education, work-life balance, and security. Every year, thousands of Nigerians make Canada their permanent home. 

Here are the popular ways you can migrate to Canada from Nigeria:

Express Entry 

You can consider the Express Entry route if you want the most popular or fastest way to relocate to Canada. People who want to acquire the coveted Canadian permanent residence can use this route. 

Applicants with college or university degrees with moderate English proficiency or skilled work experience are ideal candidates for Express Entry. As a result, Nigerians have taken advantage of this route to relocate to Canada.

You can submit your application under the Express Entry program if you qualify for any of these programs:

• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)
• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

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1.     Canadian Experience Class (CEC)

A path for skilled workers with work experience.

International students and skilled foreign workers can use the Canadian Experience Class to fast-track their permanent residence. 

You must:

1. Meet the required language levels for your job. When you take language tests for your CEC application, it is valid for two years.
2. Have at least one year of skilled working experience in Canada in the last three years before you apply. The experience includes:

a.    A full-time job could translate into 30 hours/week for twelve months.

b.    An equal amount of time in a part-time work position 

c.    Full-time work at more than one job (30 hours a week at more than one).

1. Have work experience in Canada under temporary resident status with authorization to work.

Under the National Occupation Category (NOC), there is a specific classification for each job if it must be eligible for CEC.

If you graduated from a Canadian Designated Learning Institution (DLI), you can improve your rank in the Express Entry pool by working under a Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP). 

In addition, as an international student, you can complete an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) to determine how your education is equivalent to a completed certificate, degree, or diploma from a Canadian secondary or post-secondary institution.

2.    Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) Program

The Federal Skilled Worker (FSW) program uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank applicants desirous of relocating to Canada permanently. As a result, you don’t need work experience before you can use FSW.

However, you must meet some requirements based on the following:

• Work Experience: You have at least twelve months of continuous, full-time, skilled work experience 
  • Skilled work experience refers to experience classified under NOC Skill Level 0, A, or B.
• Language Proficiency: You require a minimum of Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 on an approved English or French language test.
• Education:Applicants require a  minimum of a Canadian high school diploma or the equivalent.
• Financial Support: You need enough support fun to settle in the country.
• Residence in Canada: Applicants must reside outside of the province of Quebec.
• You should score a minimum of 67 out of 100 points on the FSW eligibility points grid.

3.     Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

The Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) allows people with work experience and no connection to Canada or job offer to apply for permanent residence.

Applicants must meet the following requirements:

• One year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the past ten years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) skill level 0, A, or B;
• Validated language ability equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 
• Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign credential and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• Score at least 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
• Prove enough funds

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) 

You can use the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP) that covers the thirteen provinces and territories in the country. However, each province operates its immigration programs, Provincial Nominee Programs, or PNPs. 

You can use it to get your Canadian permanent residence. In addition, if you get nominated via  PNP with the support of Express Entry, you earn an extra 600 Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) points. 

Hence, you are guaranteed to receive an invitation to apply (ITA) for permanent residence in the next Express Entry draw.

Family Sponsorship 

Canadian immigration places top priority on family reunification. Canada allows citizens to sponsor their family members to the country. If you want to sponsor a family member as a permanent resident under family class sponsorship, you need to  fulfill the following conditions:

1. Be a citizen or permanent resident of Canada aged at least 18 years.
2. Reside in Canada.
3. Have funds to provide financial support to the sponsored person 

In addition, you must comply with additional requirements like meeting financial obligations, including support for sponsored family members on time, not receiving social assistance (except for reason of disability), a clean criminal record, etc.

Canada's Start-Up Visa Program 

You can relocate to Canada with a start-up visa. How does this work? If you have an innovative business idea, you can use this program. The country is seeking talented entrepreneurs who will stimulate the Canadian economy with their businesses while creating employment opportunities for its residents.

 Other Federal Economic Programs 

Do you have a job offer in the country's rural, in-demand field or Atlantic region? You may apply for permanent residence through another federal economic program because the country offers various financial pilot programs to fill labour or demographic gaps in specific areas or sectors.

Frequently Asked Questions

1.     Is there an age limit to apply for under the FSW program? 

FSW has no age limit, but after age 35, you will begin to lose points toward the FSW eligibility requirement. For this reason, if you have lower age points, you may need to increase your eligibility points through other factors.

2.     Can my spouse and children be included in my FSW application? 

Under the Federal Skilled Worker route, you may include your spouse and kids on the application for permanent residence. 

3.     Can I include my parents on my Federal Skilled Worker application? 

Your parents cannot be included on an application for permanent residence through the Federal Skilled Worker program. However, you can bring them in when you have become a permanent resident.

How We Can Help You

Pay4Me handles your cross-border payments and student loans to Canada and the United States. So get in touch with us today to start your Canadian Immigration journey on the right foot.