Canada is a welcoming country for immigrants with different nationalities, acknowledging the fact that immigrants make a huge contribution to its economy. One of the largest number of immigrants coming to Canada are Nigerians, who are fourth on the list of those who were granted permanent residency status in 2022.
What are the ways to move to Canada from Nigeria?
Moving to Canada from Nigeria can be done either by entering as a skilled worker or as a student. It will mostly depend on your resources, interests, and experience you have while in Nigeria. You may then apply for permanent residency once you have entered Canada, then for Canadian citizenship once you become eligible.
Learn more about the process, requirements, and the legal protections in acquiring Canadian citizenship by marriage.
As a skilled worker, you can move to Canada from Nigeria either through Express Entry or the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). As a student, you may also enter Canada through a Student Permit and work while studying or after graduating.
Express Entry
If you’re a skilled worker, you can easily move to Canada from Nigeria through the Express Entry system of the federal government. There are three programs which you can apply for under the Express Entry:
- Canadian Experience Class: if you have 1 year full-time work experience in Canada for the last 3 years;
- Federal Skilled Worker Program: if you have 1 year full-time work experience in Nigeria or any country outside Canada for the last 10 years; or
- Federal Skilled Trades Program: if you have 2 years full-time work experience in Nigeria or any country within the last 5 years in a skilled trade industry (e.g., transportation, agriculture, culinary, etc.).
You may check online to see if you’re eligible under any of these programs of Express Entry. Once you’ve determined the program that suits you best, fill out an online profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.
You will have to submit certain documents such as your passport, language test results, or an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) if you’re applying under the Federal Skilled Worker Program. If you’ve ranked high and if you are chosen to move to Canada from Nigeria, you will then receive an invitation to submit your application.
Today we’ve sent out the first round of invitations to skilled newcomers with work experience in health care who have applied under Express Entry. These category-based selection rounds will continue throughout the year. More info: https://t.co/IyzpkVPlPv pic.twitter.com/VrNdvXhXOk
— IRCC (@CitImmCanada) June 28, 2023
Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)
You may also choose to move to Canada from Nigeria by directly applying under the PNP of a specific province or territory if you qualify under Express Entry.
Some of the provinces where most Nigerian immigrants and permanent residents live are:
- Ontario: Ontario Immigrant Nominee Program (OINP)
- Alberta: Alberta Advantage Immigration Program (AAIP)
- Manitoba: Manitoba PNP (MPNP)
- Saskatchewan: Saskatchewan Immigrant Nominee Program (SINP)
- Québec: Regular Skilled Worker Program (RSWP)
- British Columbia: BC Provincial Nominee Program (BC PNP)
Check the province’s official website to know more about the “streams” offered by each PNP and its requirements. If you’re interested to work in Ottawa, check with the OINP website or consult with a Lexpert top-ranked immigration lawyer in Ontario to know more about the OINP.
Student Permit
Nigerian students are one of the largest numbers of international students from Africa who are studying in Canada.
Moving to Canada from Nigeria as a student is done by first choosing your Designated Learning Institution (DLI) and applying for a student permit afterwards.
However, if you intend to study in Québec, please note that this province has its own process of accepting foreign students. You may consult with an immigration lawyer in Québec to learn more.
Designated Learning Institutions (DLI)
You will need a student permit to move to Canada from Nigeria to become an international student. Applying for a student permit must be done while you’re still in Nigeria, which includes enrolling for a student program in a DLI.
The DLI is a college authorized by its provincial government to accept foreign students. Once you’ve been considered by a DLI, it will provide you with a letter of acceptance. This is required in applying for a student permit to move to Canada from Nigeria.
Application for a Student Permit
The application process for student permits is done online. The documents you are required to submit online will depend on the specific permit you are applying for – either the Nigeria Student Express (NSE) or the Standard Study Permit (SSP).
For both permits, you would need to submit the following:
- letter of acceptance from the DLI
- original passport
- proof of sufficient funds
- language test results for NSE or academic documents for SSP
Working while Studying
Once you’ve moved to Canada from Nigeria as a student, you may also work either on-campus or off-campus. In both cases, you can only work once your study program has started. You can only work under the conditions stated in your permit.
You will not need a work permit if you are going to work while studying, provided that you are a full-time post-secondary student.
Working off-campus will require a work permit if it’s indicated in your student permit, or when you’re only taking a:
- English or French as a second language (ESL/FSL) program
- general interest course; or
- course required under a full-time program
For off-campus jobs, you will only be allowed to work for 20 hours a week, but you may work full-time during scheduled breaks (e.g., winter holidays, summer holidays, or during reading weeks).
Working after Graduating
After you’ve graduated from your student program, you may continue living and working in Canada through a work permit or a post-graduation work permit (PGWP). An application for a work permit or PGWP must be filed before your student permit expires.
Not all DLIs and study programs qualifies you to work in Canada under a PGWP. If you plan to permanently move to Canada from Nigeria after graduating, you must strategically choose the appropriate DLI and study program before enrolling.
Applications for a work permit or a PGWP are also done online through an IIRC account.
Interested to know more about how to move to Canada from Nigeria? Consult with a Lexpert best-ranked immigration lawyer in Canada for more details.