Immigration between Nigeria and Canada has recently been booming. In 2019, for instance, Nigeria was the fourth largest source country for persons who became permanent residents in Canada. Nigeria is fourth after India, China, and the Philippines.
If you are looking to visit Canada from Nigeria, you have the option of coming and arriving in Canada as a permanent resident or arriving as a temporary resident. Permanent residency is ideal because you would enjoy almost all of the benefits that a Canadian citizen enjoys. Therefore, the first thing would be to access whether you are able to arrive in Canada as a permanent resident.
Permanent Residency Under The Express Entry System
One of the channels that can allow you to arrive in Canada and become a permanent resident upon arrival, is if they made an application under one of the federally managed immigration programs. These programs are managed by a government system known as the Express Entry System.
Some of the factors that increase a person’s chances of successfully applying for permanent residency under the Federal Skilled Worker Program include:
First, being a professional with at least a university degree. Second, if you are between the ages of 22 years old and 34 years old. Third, if they are good and competent at speaking the English language. Fourth, having prior working experience of at least one year in the professional field.
These factors are considered when accumulating points assigned by the Government under the four categories; points which ultimately determine the people who are selected. Basically, points are assigned to you based on your work experience, age, education level, and language score in a language test.
Persons who have the highest number of points are pulled from a pool that would have been created under the Express Entry Program. Those with the highest number of points are going to be the ones who get selected and who will then get invited to become Canadian permanent residents.
Residency Applications Under The Provincially Managed Programs
If you are unsuccessful or ineligible under either of the two programs under the Express Entry System, such persons have the option of applying under one of the provincially managed programs.
Canada has provinces and territories and each province and territory has its own immigration programs designed to satisfy the local needs within those provinces.Therefore, you may have an option of applying through one of the provincial programs to become a Canadian permanent resident.
Once you get into the Express Entry pool, they also have the option of applying to the different provinces to try to get admitted into Canada through one of the provincial programs.
Permanent Residency Through A Spouse
If you have a partner who is a Canadian permanent resident or a Canadian citizen, either a spouse or a common law partner, they may be able to sponsor them to become a Canadian permanent resident.
Generally speaking, those are the available options for you wanting to come to Canada from Nigeria as a permanent resident.
Temporary Residence Options
It is important to bear in mind that you are not limited to coming to Canada only as a permanent resident. you also have the option of coming as a temporary resident initially.
Work Permit
A person may come as a worker. This option would require identifying an employer in Canada who would be willing to hire them, after which they would be able to come to Canada and work on a work permit.
After working in Canada for one year, you would then become eligible to apply for Canadian permanent residency under a program known as the Canadian Experience Class. This program is targeted at foreign nationals who are in Canada, and who have been working in Canada for at least one year.
Student Permit
Alternatively, you also have the option of coming into Canada as a student and bringing your family with you. This option would require applying for a study permit. At the same time, your partner may be able to apply for an open spousal work permit, which allows them to work with any employer anywhere in Canada, while you are studying. This is a viable option, especially because you would be able to work while you are studying.
In addition, you are able to take your children below the age of 22 years old with them on the study permit. The children may also be eligible for a study permit if they will be attending high school or elementary school, without worrying about paying your tuition fees.
This is a very popular and attractive option that has been used by many Nigerian nationals who are today Canadian permanent residents and citizens. One of the main advantages of this option is that you are not required to show proof of funds for your children to be eligible for the free high school or elementary school attendance.
However, there is a requirement that you must be able to show that you have the tuition payments, and also you must be able to show that you can sustain yourselves. These requirements differ slightly from the proof of funds requirement in the sense that you must be able to show that they have sufficient money to sustain themselves.
Postgraduate Work Permit
Upon completion of studies, you become eligible for a postgraduate work permit. This permit allows you to work in Canada for up to 3 years and allows your partner to acquire another work permit while you are finalizing your Canadian permanent residency application.
Let Us Help
There are a number of options available for Nigerian nationals wanting to immigrate into Canada either as permanent residents or as temporary residents before transitioning into permanent residents. Therefore it is important to consult with an immigration lawyer who can advise on the ideal option and guide you through the application processes.
We are available to take you through the most suitable options for you and help you put together your residency application to allow you to immigrate to Canada.
Book a call with us today for any advice or assistance you may need with your immigration applications.
