*6 WAYS TO APPLY FOR CANADA VISA IN NIGERIA

6 WAYS TO APPLY FOR CANADA VISA IN NIGERIA

Nigeria continues to emerge as one of the most important sources of new immigrants in Canada. This means that there are many options for applying for a permanent Canadian residence from Nigeria. In this article, we will discuss these different options on how to apply for Canada Visa in Nigeria

As Canada recovers from coronavirus pandemic’s economic effects, immigration will possibly become more necessary than ever.

Even though the crisis, Canada continues to bring in new permanent residents who were eligible before the implementation of restrictions, as well as temporary foreign workers vital to the food supply of the country.

In an immigration level plan released just before the pandemic took hold in Canada, the federal government announced its intention between now and 2022 to welcome up to 1,1 million new permanent residents. While the recovery of coronavirus will unlikely affect these numbers, many opportunities to immigrate to Canada will clearly remain.

In 2019, 12,600 Nigerians became permanent residents of Canada, putting it fourth behind India (85,585), China (30,260), and the Philippines (27,815) on the list of countries of citizenship.

Nigeria ‘s figure represents an increase of more than 200 percent since 2015 when it welcomed just over 4,000 newcomers.

If you are looking to apply for Canada Permanent Residence as a Nigerian, read on to find out what programs are available.

What Are the Ways To Migrate (Apply) To Canada From Nigeria?

Broadly, the options are:

• Federal Economic Class.
• Provincial Economic Class.
• Quebec Immigration.
• Business Immigration, including the Start-Up Visa Program.
• Temporary Residence First, Then Transition To Permanent.
• Family Class Sponsorship.

1. Federal Economic Class.

Canada accepts the largest number of economic class immigrants, with annual levels set to move over 200,000 in that category over the next three years.

The Federal High Skilled category is the largest group within the economic class.

When considering applying for a permanent Canadian residence from Nigeria, there are many immigration streams to consider.

What Are Canada’s Federal Economic Class Programs?

• Federal Skilled Worker
• Federal Skilled Trades
• Canada Experience Class

Canada uses Express Entry to run the Federal Economic Class immigration program. A similar strategy is practiced in other provinces too.

Express Entry requires that candidates submit a profile, with the highest scoring profiles issued an Invitation to Apply to one of the immigration programs mentioned above.

Candidates are then given 60 days to submit a complete application.

Candidates score Comprehensive Ranking System points under Express Entry for key factors such as age, education, work experience, and language skills.

What Is The Express Entry Process?

• Submit profile and enter Express Entry Pool.
• Get issued an Invitation to Apply if you meet the minimum points requirement.
• Submit an application in 60 days.
• Get a decision in the target processing time of six months.
• If successful, move to Canada.

One of the easiest ways to increase a CRS score is with a work bid, which depending on the level of ability can be worth 200 or 50 points.

Several provinces throughout Canada also run Express Entry sources, allowing them to draw qualified staff from the pool.

A provincial nomination worth 600 points ensures an Invitation to Apply effectively.

If you meet the requirements, Express Entry can be a fast way to achieve immigration to Canada, with six-month target processing times once the full application is received.

2. Provincial Economic Class.

What Are Canada’s Provincial Programs?

• Ontario Immigration
• Quebec Immigration
• Alberta Immigration
• British Columbia Immigration
• Manitoba Immigration
• New Brunswick Immigration
• Newfoundland Immigration
• Nova Scotia Immigration
• Saskatchewan Immigration
• Prince Edward Island Immigration

If you are not eligible for a federal economic program, the next step is to find regional sources for your Nigerian permanent residency application.

Each province in Canada runs its own immigration programs, targeting the specific demands of the local labor markets.

If you have some unique skills, a provincial stream may be waiting to accept you.

Quebec has autonomy over its immigration system, with the right to set its own levels of immigration and the power to run its own programs.

*Quebec recently launched an Expression of Interest similar system to Express Entry, where applicants send profiles to the Arima system and periodic invitations to apply are given.

3. Quebec Immigrant Investor Program

One of the most common commercial programs in Canada is the Quebec Immigrant Investor Plan.

It is the only passive investment program, which leads to permanent residence in Canada.

Canada suspends Quebec Investor intake officially until June 30th, 2020. It is unknown whether the coronavirus pandemic will affect program reopening.

Quebec Investor: Primary Requirements

• A Legally acquired personal net worth of $2 million;
• Two years of suitable management or business experience within the five years preceding the application;
• Investment of $1.2 million into a passive government guaranteed investment for a period of five years bearing no interest;
• Intend to settle in the province of Quebec.

Quebec also runs programs for the Immigrant Entrepreneur and Self-Employed.

Several other provinces across Canada also operate business programs as a route from Nigeria to permanent residence.

The provinces are increasingly requiring time spent in Canada establishing a company as a temporary resident before candidates are eligible for permanent residence.

4. Business Immigration, including the Start-Up Visa Program.

Canada also aims to attract entrepreneurs and investors through its business immigration programs, with many applications accepted from Nigeria.

At the federal level, options include:

• Self Employed Program
• Start-Up Visa Program
• Immigrant Investor Venture Capital (IIVC) Pilot Program

Start-Up Visa Program

Canada’s Start-Up Visa Program gives eligible immigrant entrepreneurs with permanent residency in Canada.

The program targets innovative entrepreneurs and connects them to Canada’s private sector investors who will help set up their start-up business.

Initially, candidates may come to Canada on a work permit sponsored by their designated Canada-based sponsor, before applying for permanent residence once their company is up and run.

Three kinds of private-sector investor exist:

• Angel investor.
• Venture capital fund.
• Business incubator.

Initially a three-year pilot, the program was made permanent on March 31, 2018.

What Are the Start-Up Visa Candidate Eligibility Requirements?

The basic candidate eligibility requirements for the Start-Up Visa are:

• Qualifying business.
• Commitment Certificate and Letter of Support from a designated entity.
• Sufficient unencumbered, available and transferable settlement funds.
• Proficiency in English or French at minimum Canadian Language Benchmark level 5.
• What Is A Start-Up Visa Program Designated Entity?
• A designated entity is a Canadian private sector angel investor, venture capital fund or business incubator.

The required commitment must meet the following criteria:

• A designated angel investor group must invest at least $75,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more investments from angel investor groups totaling $75,000.
• A designated venture capital fund must confirm that it is investing at least $200,000 into the qualifying business. Candidates can also qualify with two or more commitments from designated venture capital funds totaling $200,000.
• A designated business incubator must accept the applicant into its business incubator program.

What Are the Start-Up Visa Program Business Ownership Requirements?

For the candidate to qualify for permanent residence:

• The intended business must be incorporated and carrying on business in Canada.
• The candidate must own at least 10 percent of the voting rights in the corporation.
• No other person can hold 50 percent or more of the voting rights in the corporation.

NOTE: Up to five applicants can have the same business investment promoting their applications for permanent residence. Some candidates may, however, be designated as essential to the business. If any essential candidate withdraws or is refused, all other candidates will see their applications terminated under the same business investment.

6 WAYS TO APPLY FOR CANADA VISA IN NIGERIA

Owner-Operator Business Immigration

Candidates who wish to immigrate from the UAE to Canada should also think of buying a Company and Move to Canada.

Federal owner-operator rules allow an applicant to buy a business and move to Canada on a temporary work permit, before moving further down the line to permanent residence.

Under this policy, a work permit is issued after the sale and transfer to the immigration candidate of the majority share ownership of an existing profitable Canadian business.

5. Temporary Residence First, Then Transition To Permanent.

Immigrants are increasingly coming to Canada as temporary residents, and are moving to permanent residents.

During the coronavirus pandemic, Canada continued to accept temporary workers in priority occupations.

This is a popular route for candidates when applying from Nigeria not immediately qualifying for permanent residence.

Time spent as a temporary resident in Canada counts towards applying for a permanent residency.

They issue Job permits through the Temporary Foreign Worker Program, the International Mobility Program, and the Canada Plan for International Experience.

In addition, caregivers have their own work permit streams (under the TFWP) and transition to permanent residence

6. Family Class Sponsorship.

Candidates in Nigeria with family members who are already permanent residents or citizens can apply through Family Class Sponsorship immigration.

6 WAYS TO APPLY FOR CANADA VISA IN NIGERIA

Which Family Members Can Be Sponsored For Canada Immigration From Nigeria?

• Spouse
• Common-Law partner
• Conjugal partner
• Dependent children
• Parents
• Grandparents
• Brothers or sisters, nephews or nieces, granddaughters or grandsons who are orphans, under 18 years of age and are yet t0 marry or in a common-law relationship
• Another relative of any age or relationship but only under specific conditions
• Accompanying relatives of the above (for example, spouse, partner, and dependent children).

What Are The Requirements To Be A Sponsor?

• You must be 18 years of age or older.
• You and the sponsored relative must sign a sponsorship agreement that commits you to provide financial support for your relative, if necessary. This agreement also says the person becoming a permanent resident will make every effort to support her or himself.
• You must provide financial support for a spouse, common-law, or conjugal partner for three years from the date they become a permanent resident.
• You must provide financial support for a dependent child for 10 years, or until the child turns 25, whichever comes first.

6 WAYS TO APPLY FOR CANADA VISA IN NIGERIA

Due to various factors such as age, prior immigration records, social ties, and economic ties, it could be difficult to obtain a visa. You may need to explore scale-through with a consultant. Don’t worry, BENINFO247 offers free consultation services to assist you in making the application successful. You can use the form provided at the end of this article to apply for the free consultation services and visa documents. Please use this form to pick a provider, to request our free consultation services. CLICK HERE or read on, and return later.

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