Moving from Nigeria to Canada: The Complete Guide
Nigerians consistently rank among the top source countries for Canadian permanent residence. Here's the realistic route, cost, and timeline — no consultant required.
Pick your pathway
Most Nigerian applicants without a Canadian job offer go through Express Entry, either on core CRS points alone or, more commonly, with a Provincial Nominee Program to add 600 points. Applicants with strong IELTS scores (CLB 9+) and a bachelor's degree assessed by an ECA body are usually well positioned.
Read the Express Entry guide →Know your number
Calculate your CRS score before doing anything else — it tells you whether to aim for a general draw or focus your energy on a Provincial Nominee Program like Saskatchewan's SINP, which has historically been accessible to Nigerian applicants in healthcare, IT and skilled trades.
Calculate my CRS score →Budget realistically
Between government fees, IELTS, ECA, police clearance and settlement funds, expect to need several thousand Canadian dollars in savings before you land — see our full breakdown for exact figures.
See the full cost breakdown →Start your paperwork early
Nigerian police clearance certificates and document authentication can take longer than in other countries — start these the moment you decide to apply, not after you're invited.
Build my document checklist →