Dreaming of a new life in Canada? Immigrating from Nigeria can be your reality! This comprehensive guide unveils pathways, requirements, and resources, empowering you to confidently chase the maple leaf. Packed with facts & figures, it’s your one-step guide to Canadian immigration success!

Overview: Why immigrate from Nigeria to Canada?

Canada is becoming an increasingly popular destination for Nigerians seeking to establish a new life abroad. With over 20,000 Nigerians obtaining Canadian permanent residence in 2022, the allure of Canada’s economic opportunities and attractive living conditions is evident. The country offers a wide range of benefits, including opportunities in sectors such as oil and gas, information and communication technology (ICT), health, and engineering.
Additionally, Canada boasts political stability, a thriving economy, a robust healthcare system, and a globally recognized education system. This article explores the reasons why more Nigerians are choosing to immigrate to Canada and the various immigration options available to them.

Economic Opportunities in Canada

One of the primary reasons why Nigerians choose to immigrate to Canada is the abundance of economic opportunities available in the country. Canada’s thriving sectors, such as oil and gas, ICT, health, and engineering, attract Nigerian professionals seeking better career prospects and higher earning potential. These sectors offer stable employment opportunities and the chance to contribute to the country’s growing economy.

Advantages of Settling in Canada

In addition to economic opportunities, Canada offers numerous advantages for Nigerians looking to settle in the country. One of the key advantages is political stability, which provides a safe and secure environment for individuals and families. Canada also boasts a highly developed healthcare system, ensuring access to quality healthcare services for all residents.
Furthermore, Canada’s internationally recognized education system attracts students from around the world, providing excellent educational opportunities for immigrants and their children.

Nigerian Diaspora in Canada

The Nigerian diaspora in Canada continues to grow each year. Currently, there are approximately 70,000 Canadians of Nigerian descent, and this number is expected to increase as Canada continues to welcome more immigrants. The Nigerian community in Canada plays an active role in various sectors and contributes to the country’s cultural diversity and economic growth. The presence of a vibrant Nigerian diaspora provides a sense of belonging and support for Nigerians choosing to immigrate to Canada.

Growing Immigration Levels

Canada’s commitment to increasing immigration levels each year creates favorable conditions for Nigerians seeking to immigrate. The government aims to welcome over 110,000 permanent residents through the Express Entry program annually. This program offers a fast and efficient pathway to Canadian permanent residence for skilled workers. With Canada’s continuous efforts to attract skilled immigrants and the growing demand for professionals in various sectors, the Nigerian diaspora in Canada is expected to expand further.

Step-by-step guide on how to immigrate from Nigeria to Canada?

Express Entry

The Express Entry is a system implemented by the Canadian government to manage applications for immigration to Canada. It is open to individuals from all over the world, including Nigeria. Under this program, candidates are assessed based on various factors such as age, education, work experience, language proficiency, and adaptability.

Applicants from Nigeria, like applicants from other countries, can create an online Express Entry profile and submit an Expression of Interest (EOI) to be considered for immigration to Canada. Once the profile is submitted, candidates are placed in a pool with other applicants.

The government of Canada then conducts invitations rounds, usually held every two weeks, where candidates with the highest Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) scores are issued an Invitation to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The CRS score is based on factors such as age, education, work experience, language ability, and other additional factors like Canadian job offers or provincial nominations.

If an applicant receives an ITA, they have 60 days to submit a complete application for permanent residency. The application includes providing supporting documents such as passports, medical examinations, police certificates, educational credentials, and proof of funds.

It is important to note that meeting the eligibility criteria for Express Entry does not guarantee an ITA. The CRS scores tend to change with each invitation round, so it is beneficial for applicants to maximize their points by improving their language skills, obtaining a job offer, or obtaining a provincial nomination.

In summary, the Express Entry program offers Nigerians and individuals from other countries a streamlined pathway to apply for permanent residency in Canada. It provides a fair and transparent system where candidates are selected based on their qualifications and potential contributions to the Canadian economy.

Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP)

Are you a Nigerian immigration candidate living abroad? 

If so, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) could be the ideal path for you. This program offers the opportunity for foreign nationals with work experience and no Canadian connections or job offers to apply for permanent residence. 

The FSWP is designed for skilled workers who possess the necessary qualifications such as foreign work experience, education, language proficiency, and other human capital factors to successfully integrate into the Canadian economy. 

For the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP), applicants must meet several eligibility requirements. These include 

• Having one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience within the last 10 years in a skilled occupation classified under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3. 
• Applicants must possess language proficiency equivalent to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French in all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• Applicants must hold a Canadian educational credential such as a certificate, diploma, or degree, or a foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report. To be considered for immigration, 
• FSWP candidates must also score a minimum of 67 points on the six selection factors outlined by Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC). These factors include age, education, language proficiency, work experience, adaptability, and arranged employment.
• Lastly, applicants must demonstrate that they have sufficient funds to support themselves and their accompanying family members upon arrival in Canada.

 Meeting all of these requirements is crucial for being considered eligible for the FSWP.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

The primary alternative for Nigerian immigrants is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Canada is a nation comprising 10 provinces and three territories, and the majority of these entities administer their own PNP. Each province or territory has the flexibility to create immigration pathways tailored to their specific economic and demographic needs. 

Under the PNP, provinces and territories can nominate skilled immigrant candidates to settle in their jurisdictions. Nigerian individuals may be eligible to directly apply for Canadian immigration through a PNP if they meet the necessary requirements. 

Alternatively, they can enter the Express Entry pool and may receive an invitation from a province to apply for nomination. If selected through an Express Entry-linked stream, applicants will receive an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing them an invitation to apply for permanent residence (ITA) in a future Express Entry draw.

PNPs often boast faster processing times compared to Express Entry. For example, the Nova Scotia PNP processed over 5,700 applications in 2022 with an average processing time of 6 months. 

Provinces like Saskatchewan and Manitoba have programs specifically designed to attract skilled Nigerian workers.

Family Sponsorship

Family reunification is a top priority for Canadian immigration, and Canada offers various immigration programs that allow Canadians to sponsor their family members from Nigeria. To sponsor a family member as a permanent resident, the sponsor must be a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, meet specific financial requirements, and fulfill other conditions related to supporting the sponsored person.

•  Ideal for Individuals with close family members (spouse, parents, children) already residing in Canada as permanent residents or citizens.
•  Eligibility criteria are stringent, and processing times can be lengthy.
•  In 2022, over 80,000 permanent resident visas were issued through family sponsorship, demonstrating its potential for eligible candidates.

Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program

The Atlantic Immigration Pilot Program is specifically designed to address labor market needs in the Atlantic provinces of Canada, namely New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. Through this program, eligible foreign workers and international graduates from designated institutions in the Atlantic provinces can apply for permanent residence. The pilot program aims to attract newcomers to the region, promote long-term settlement, and address labor shortages in various sectors.

• Program is ideal for skilled workers with one year of work experience in Atlantic Canada provinces. 
• Processing times are faster, and language score requirements are lower compared to Express Entry.
•  In 2024, the program aims to welcome 6,200 immigrants, creating an excellent opportunity for skilled Nigerians seeking a quicker path to residency. 

Conclusion

Canada continues to be an attractive destination for Nigerians seeking new opportunities and a better quality of life. The country’s strong economy, political stability, excellent healthcare system, and renowned education system make it an ideal choice for immigration. With various immigration programs tailored to different circumstances, Nigerians have several options to pursue their Canadian immigration goals. Whether through skilled worker programs, family sponsorship, or business immigration, Canada offers avenues for Nigerians to fulfill their dreams of a better future.