Many Nigerians want to migrate to Canada. Even more, they want to own a permanent residence (PR) in the country. No wonder over 12,000 Nigerians owns PR in Canada. The great possibility of this is due to the open arms of the Canadian government. Well, Nigerians have all it takes both in skills, education, and energy-driven to live in Canada.
However, some Nigerians in Canada do not know how to go about obtaining PR in the country. While those still back also need information on how this could be done. So we’ve carefully compiled a procedural process on how one can obtain a permanent residency in Canada.
While on the other hand, we highlighted the 5 major Canadian PR requirements for Nigerians. We recommend you carefully read and follow the steps below.
How to Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency from Nigeria
#1. Check For Your Eligibility Requirements
Step 1a – Take the quiz to find out if you are eligible
The quiz is simple and free of charge, and you can take it by yourself online. If you have not done a language test before, give yourself a hypothetical test score and fill out your other information. We recommend that you give yourself a test score lower than what you think you may get so you can gauge the amount of room you have to play around with.
Step 1b – Find out what your work NOC is
This is important because you can only claim work history in one NOC (National Occupational Corporation). This means that if you’ve jumped around from job description to job description, you will need to choose the one that you have the longest number of consistent years of work.
It is okay if you’ve changed jobs, but as long as your jobs have all been in one NOC, they count.
#2. Document Requirements
Step 1 – Register for the language test and get your Result
Hence, if you are eligible based on the quiz above in the eligibility test, the next step is to register for the language test. This usually costs around $208 which is CAD275 or N75,000. While obtaining this document takes up to 2 to 3 months.
Everyone applying for Canadian PR has to take a language test to show proficiency in either French or English. You get bonus points if you can prove both! Here are practice tests to help you prepare for the IELTS General test. Do not take these practice guides for granted. They go a long way in ensuring you ace the test.
Step 2b – Prepare your documents for the WES evaluation
Use the two or three months of IELTS preparation to also prepare your degree evaluation, so you can save time. Everyone who goes to school outside of Canada must go through this process.
The Canadian IRCC has a list of certified organizations that can verify your degree and equate it with a Canadian one. This usually costs around $230 which is CAD305 or N83,000. While obtaining this document takes up to 1 to 2 weeks.
You can decide to evaluate your most recent degree or all your degrees. The IRCC only requires your most recent degree (your highest degree), however, you need to figure out what works best for you. It is important to note that if you evaluate multiple degrees under one WES profile, it costs the same as evaluating only one degree.
List of requirements for Nigerian degrees You Can Use for WES Evaluation
- Degree Certificate
- Academic Transcripts
- Final Secondary Examination Results
- WAEC/NECO Scratch Card
#3. Create an Online Express Entry Profile
Now that you have your WES evaluation report and your language test results, you are ready to create an Express Entry profile. real quick, use this tool to find out what your exact CRS Score will be.
This time, you have the actual information and you can tell what your exact score will be. You don’t know what the cut-off score will be but you can check what the cut-off for the last draw was (the week or two weeks before you check) here. That way, you have an idea whether you stand a high chance in the pool or not.
This profile will close within 60 days of opening, that is if you do not submit it, so try to complete it as soon as you can. You will be asked for personal information, work history, test scores, degree details, etc. All these details will add up to give you a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score.
Make sure you are truthful and consistent. As soon as you complete and cross-check your Express Entry profile, go ahead and submit it.
You have officially joined the Express Entry Pool.
#4. Wait for an Invitation to Apply (ITA)
Every two weeks, a draw is made from the pool of submitted Express Entry profiles. This draw is done to offer ITAs to candidates. An ITA says…’ you can now begin the official application process for PR.’
The exact cut-off score is determined by the number of selections the committee plans to choose from that draw. For example, if they need 3,500 selections from that draw, they pick the highest 3,500 candidates in the pool on that date and the 3500th person’s score becomes the cut-off score. If there is a tie for the 3500th person, they use factors like date and time of submission to break the tie.
Just as a guideline, the cut-off scores for January and February 2019 were as follows: 449 (Jan 9), 443 (Jan 23), and 438 (Jan 30). See the full list of cut-off scores here.
Also, while waiting for an ITA, you can register in the Job Bank and start looking for jobs.
#5. Apply for Canadian Permanent Residency
Cost: USD785 / CAD1,040 / N282,600 per adult applicant and USD113 / CAD150 / N54,000 per dependent child.
Time Required: 6 months.
Now that you have been invited to apply, you will need to prepare your application and submit all your documents. It is important to note that your fee of CAD1,040 is split into CAD550 application fee and CAD490 right to permanent residence fee. If you do not successfully get PR, the CAD490 will be refunded to you. You only have 60 days to complete this application!
Canadian PR Requirements [Documents]
- Application Fee (see above)
- Test Results
- Academic Verification Report
- Digital Photographs
- Medical Examination: Every country has an approved list of panel physicians who can provide a medical examination. In Nigeria, there are three in Lagos and one in Abuja and the costs may vary slightly. See here to find their addresses and book an appointment.
- Police Certificates: If you have lived in a country for more than 6 months in a row, within the last 10 years, you have to include police reports from each of those countries (including your home country, where you currently live). The cost of obtaining a police certificate will differ based on where you live and where you are requesting one from. See how to get a police certificate in each country.
- Passport Biodata Page
- Reference or Experience Work Letter: your former and current employers listed on your Express Entry Profile must all provide letters to prove your work history with them.
- Proof of Funds: you must provide a letter from your bank vouching for the availability of funds required for relocation. These are the amount required for relocation:
- 1 Family Member (you alone): CAD12,669 or N3.46 million.
- 2 Family Members: CAD15,772 or N4.31 million.
- 3 Family Members: CAD19,390 or N5.30 million.
- 4 Family Members: CAD23,542 or N6.43 million.
- 5 Family Members: CAD26,701 or N7.29 million.
- 6 Family Members: CAD30,114 or N8.22 million.
- 7 Family Members: CAD33,528 or N9.15 million.
- For each additional family member: CAD3,414 or N932,000.
- Other Documents: Depending on whether you have children who are divorced, married, and so on, there are a host of other documents required including a name change certificate, birth certificate of the child(ren), marriage certificate, etc. Find the full details here.
Once you have all your complete documents, you will be able to fill out your application on the portal and upload scanned copies of all your documents. Make sure you follow the guidelines for clarity, size, and resolution of all documents. You will also be able to make your payment.
At some point, you may be called to submit your biometrics at a local embassy or VFS.
Finally, you will receive a PPR – Passport Request email – Ready for Visa.
Once you get this letter, you can send in your passports. Your PR approval will also come with a deadline when you have to enter Canada or else your PR will be invalidated. This is usually between 6 months to 1 year from the approval. You are ready to go!
