Thanks to high English proficiency, strong educational backgrounds, and relevant work experience, Nigerians are well-positioned to qualify for Canada’s immigration programs.

Federal Skilled Worker Program

For Nigerians looking to immigrate, the Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP) may be the most suitable option. This program allows candidates with relevant work experience to apply for permanent residency without needing a job offer or a connection to Canada.

The FSWP focuses on skilled workers who can leverage their foreign experience, education, and language skills to thrive economically in Canada. To be eligible, candidates must meet these minimum criteria:

• At least one year of continuous full-time or equivalent paid work experience in the last 10 years in a skilled occupation categorized under the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER categories 0, 1, 2, or 3.
• A validated language proficiency of at least Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French across all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking).
• A Canadian educational credential (certificate, diploma, or degree) or a foreign credential along with an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• A minimum score of 67 points on IRCC’s six immigration selection factors.
• Proof of sufficient funds for you and your family to settle in Canada.

Next Steps for FSWP Eligibility

The FSWP is part of the Express Entry application management system. Once you confirm your eligibility for the FSWP, you can create and upload your Express Entry profile on the Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website.

Upon submission, you will receive a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on your age, education, work experience, and language abilities. IRCC invites the highest-scoring candidates to apply for permanent residency every two weeks, with a processing standard of six months. With a target of admitting over 110,000 permanent residents through Express Entry each year, this program represents one of the fastest and most appealing pathways for skilled workers to gain permanent residency in Canada.

Provincial Nominee Program

Another significant option for Nigerian candidates is the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP). Each of Canada’s provinces and territories operates its own PNP, allowing them to create immigration pathways that align with their specific economic and demographic needs.

Through the PNP, provinces can nominate skilled workers for immigration. Nigerian candidates may directly apply through a PNP if they meet the eligibility criteria. They can also enter the Express Entry pool and potentially receive an invitation to apply for provincial nomination. A nomination through an Express Entry-linked stream grants an additional 600 CRS points, virtually guaranteeing an invitation to apply for permanent residency in a subsequent draw.