Canada for Nigerians

Study in Canada

Study starts with an acceptance letter from a Designated Learning Institution (DLI). Most study permit applicants need a Provincial or Territorial Attestation Letter (PAL or TAL). From 1 January 2026, however, applicants entering a degree-granting master's or doctoral programme at a public DLI do not need a PAL or TAL. Quebec requirements still apply separately. You must also show that you can pay your tuition and living costs. A Post-Graduation Work Permit can follow an eligible programme, but confirm both the school and programme before you enrol.

Living costs of about CAD 22,895 per year for a single applicant outside Quebec, in place since September 2025, shown on top of your first-year tuition and travel rather than instead of them. Quebec sets its own, higher figure. Confirm current amounts with IRCC, as they are updated periodically.

Work in Canada

Canada separates permanent skilled immigration from temporary employer-specific work. Express Entry ranks eligible candidates for permanent-residence programmes. On 4 August 2026, Ontario opened expressions of interest for its new Workforce Priority stream. Most applicants need a qualifying full-time, permanent Ontario job offer, and the employer must start the process through the Ontario Employer Portal before the worker can register. An expression of interest is not an application or an invitation, and this is not a general Canadian recruitment drive.

Routes include Express Entry programmes, Provincial Nominee Programs and employer-specific work permits with an LMIA or a recognized exemption. Ontario's Workforce Priority stream is now an expression-of-interest route for foreign workers with a qualifying Ontario job offer. Applicants can seek nomination only if invited. Eligible self-employed physicians have a separate exception to the job-offer requirement. The Global Talent Stream remains an LMIA channel for certain employers and occupations, not a job-search programme. A Canadian job offer does not automatically guarantee a work permit or permanent residence.

Permanent residency and citizenship in Canada

Express Entry is one of Canada's main permanent residence systems for skilled workers. It ranks applicants by factors such as age, education, language scores and work experience. Provincial routes also apply. Ontario opened its Workforce Priority stream on 4 August 2026, but most applicants need a qualifying permanent Ontario job offer and employer participation before registering an expression of interest. Some Nigerians study in Canada and later qualify for a Post-Graduation Work Permit and permanent residence, but this is not automatic. The school, programme and applicant must still meet the relevant rules.

After permanent residence, citizenship needs 1,095 days, which is three years, of physical presence in Canada within the five years before you apply. Time spent here earlier as a student or worker counts as half a day each, up to a maximum of one year of credit. Canada allows dual citizenship and Nigeria does too, so you keep your Nigerian passport.

Family Reunification in Canada

Canadian citizens and permanent residents can sponsor a spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent children, and parents or grandparents. Spousal and dependent-child sponsorship has no minimum income requirement. The genuineness of the relationship is examined closely.

Spouse, common-law or conjugal partner, dependent children, and parents or grandparents under the parent and grandparent programme.

Sponsor must be 18 or older and a Canadian citizen or permanent resident, and must sign an undertaking to financially support the sponsored family member.

No minimum income for spouse, partner or dependent-child sponsorship. A Minimum Necessary Income applies to parent and grandparent sponsorship. Confirm current thresholds with IRCC.

Marriage certificate or proof of common-law status, birth certificates, photos and communication history, and proof of a genuine, continuing relationship. Documents need certified English or French translations where applicable.

Marriage in Canada

Marriage is regulated by each province or territory through its vital statistics office. You marry under provincial rules and receive a provincial marriage certificate.

Valid passport, proof of single status where required, and a divorce decree or death certificate if you were married before. Requirements vary by province, so check the relevant vital statistics office before booking.

Apply for a marriage licence from the provincial authority, marry within the licence validity period, then receive the registered marriage certificate. A civil marriage is separate from any immigration status.

Using Nigerian Documents in Canada

Use the checklist for the specific IRCC programme. IRCC calls the Nigerian police record a Police Character Certificate and publishes how to obtain it. For Express Entry education points or Federal Skilled Worker eligibility, an ECA from an IRCC-designated body is a separate credential assessment, not Nigerian MFA authentication or embassy legalization.

Ordinary IRCC applications follow their programme checklist without routine Nigerian MFA authentication or embassy legalization. Provide a translation or Educational Credential Assessment only when that programme requires it.

No Canadian embassy legalization step for ordinary IRCC submissions. The High Commission of Canada does not routinely legalize Nigerian civil documents for immigration.

English Nigerian records normally need no translation. For records in another language, follow IRCC's English or French translation instructions, including any required translator affidavit and copy of the original.

Birth certificate, marriage certificate, divorce decree, police character certificate, degree and transcript, and an Educational Credential Assessment for foreign qualifications used in Express Entry.

Asylum & Legal Stay in Canada

A person can make a refugee claim at a Canadian port of entry or, if already in Canada, through the current online process. Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada or the Canada Border Services Agency first checks whether the claim is eligible to be referred. An eligible claim is sent to the Refugee Protection Division of the Immigration and Refugee Board, known as the IRB, which holds the hearing and decides whether Canada owes protection.

Official Asylum & Legal Stay Source

After referral, the claimant receives procedural instructions and must submit the Basis of Claim form and supporting evidence within the applicable deadline. Provincial legal-aid programmes and refugee law clinics may provide a lawyer to an eligible person. Tell the IRB about address changes, attend the medical and hearing appointments, and obtain certified English or French translations of documents used as evidence.