How to migrate from Nigeria to Canada

Are you experiencing a sense of stagnation in your life? Have you found that your current country no longer offers the opportunities you seek? If this resonates with you, we highly recommend considering Canada as an ideal destination to embark on a fresh start.

The Canadian government has recently announced its intention to address gaps in specific sectors of the economy by welcoming over a million immigrants to fulfill these unfilled occupations. If you’re from Nigeria, discover the process of immigrating to Canada and take the first steps toward crafting a new life amidst breathtaking scenery.

Why Immigrate to Canada?

Canada has emerged as a popular choice for immigrants due to its thriving economy and high quality of life. This increasing prominence aligns with the aspirations of upwardly mobile Nigerians who seek a better life abroad. At CanadianVisa, we highly recommend Canada as the ideal destination for Nigerians in search of a brighter future.

Nigerians often wonder about their eligibility for immigration and the availability of slots for immigration to Canada. Thankfully, in 2023, the Immigration, Refugees, and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) department has made a significant decision to expand its immigration quotas. This expansion aims to welcome even more newcomers than in previous years and has been implemented through three primary programs: the Express Entry System, Provincial Nominee Programs (PNP), and the International Experience Class (IEC).

Popular Canadian Immigration Routes for Nigerians 

Starting your Canadian Visa journey can be a Canadian visa application after you’ve decided to immigrate to Canada from Nigeria. The main avenues are Express Entry, Provincial Nominee Programs, and Sponsorship.

You’ll need to meet specific requirements for each and choose the right program for your background. You can start applying while still residing in Nigeria or while working on a temporary work visa in Canada.

Express Entry System

The Canadian Express Entry system was created in 2015 to fast-track the federal government’s three main programs, the Federal Skilled Worker Program, the Federal Skilled Trades Program, and the Canadian Experience Class with a processing period of as little as six months. 

Applicants need to create an online profile stating which program they are applying for through the Express Entry system. If they meet the criteria, candidates are given points according to the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) which measures profiles according to the categories below.

The highest-scoring candidates are drawn from the Express Entry pool every two weeks and issued with Invitations to Apply (ITAs) for permanent residence.

CRS Criteria Awards Points For:

• Age
• CLB Language proficiency (English and French)
• Level of Education (In and outside Canada)
• Work Experience (In and outside Canada)
• Arranged employment
• Provincial Nomination achieved
• Siblings living in Canada as permanent residents/citizens
• Your spouse’s profile (if married)

Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)

Nigerian Individuals of working age are presented with a lot of work opportunities should they choose to immigrate to Canada. Skills seen as valuable but are either in short supply in the Canadian population or are undervalued has led to increased opportunities for immigrants via PNP’s.

The following programs are offered by certain provinces and territories in Canada to address sectors of the local economies that are lacking specific skills. These streams target skilled workers, graduates, and unskilled/trades workers. 

International Experience Class

The International Experience Class (IEC) is a program created by the IRCC for the purpose of offering a chance to work and travel in Canada. This program is normally aimed at youth who either want to gain a foothold in the Canadian workforce or study at a Canadian tertiary institution.

With the understanding of how Nigerians put a high premium on education as a cornerstone of success, this program is a very valuable course of immigration for many Nigerians’ who would like to immigrate to Canada to start a new life.

The programs offered by the IEC include the Working Holiday Visa (though currently Nigerians are ineligible for this program), Young Professionals or International Co-operative program.

We recommend Nigerian youth apply to the International Co-Operative and Young Professionals as both of these cater to their needs to gain both work and educational experience in Canada.

The IEC pools for 2023 have opened to great anticipation by the IRCC, which has increased the target for newcomers by 20%, which equals to a real figure of 90,000 additional expected newcomers to Canada in 2023.

Helping you Immigrate And Settle in Canada?

Where to Live in Canada

Canada comprises 10 provinces and three territories, each offering unique aspects of culture, lifestyle, and climate. To gain a better understanding of each region and their individual programs, you can explore more about Canada’s diverse areas.

Acquiring a house in Canada is quite feasible, with ample land and properties available to immigrants. The average cost for a family home in a village or a more populated city outside major centers like Toronto ranges between $170,000 and $400,000. Considering the earning potential for skilled professionals, such as engineers who can earn around $300,000 per year (e.g., at a senior level in Alberta), this price range is quite reasonable.

Urban areas in Canada predominantly house the Nigerian community. Cities such as Toronto, Ottawa, Calgary, Edmonton, and Winnipeg boast significant Nigerian communities. Each of these communities has cultivated a distinct and vibrant immigrant culture, welcoming Nigerians from all walks of life.

Nevertheless, despite their uniquely Nigerian characteristics, these communities have seamlessly integrated into Canadian society, embracing its culture, lifestyle, and societal norms.

Finding a Job in Canada

Your main priority when immigrating to Canada is finding a job. A job offer makes the process much easier, for example, adding 200 points to your profile if applying through Express Entry. There are certain occupations, as mentioned above, that are in demand in Canada which can speed up the process towards permanent residence. 

This is only a fraction of the occupations represented on the National Occupation Classification (NOC) in-demand list that have been chosen because they show the variety of sectors that need to be filled by immigrants. You can browse through the different occupations needed by province and program to see which you’re best suited for.

Try these helpful job platforms:

• Canadian Job Bank
• LinkedIn
• Indeed.ca
• Monster.ca
• eJobbo

When You Land in Canada

Once you arrive in Canada there will be a lot to get sorted in terms of basic admin and living arrangements. We’ve compiled a basic list of things to think about before you arrive so that you can easily adapt to local life and start getting to know your community without encountering these hassles. 

Consider the following:

• Set up a bank account
• Take local language courses if you aren’t first-language French or English
• Find temporary accommodation (AirBnB or MakeYourselfatHome.com)
• Get a local sim card
• Apply for insurance

FAQs

What is Canada’s lifestyle like generally?

The culture of Canada is heavily influenced by western culture in general. However, over the years the increasingly diverse demographics of the country has resulted in a broad number of cultural festivals and a melting pot of lifestyles that brought their own flavour to Canadian life.

Are there any educational benefits to getting Canadian citizenship or permanent residency?

Permanent residents (PR) Canadian citizens receive tax-subsidized free education. As a Nigerian, you can be the next newcomer to experience this benefit by using our immigration consultancy services.

What other benefits are available to you besides educational and work opportunities?

Other benefits that permanent residents and Canadian citizens possess include healthcare/medical benefits and subsidized/free, quality housing.