Moving To Canada From Nigeria?

With the situation in Nigeria getting worse, the Japa fever is unlikely to drop anytime soon. Among many Nigerians considering leaving, Canada has stood out as a particularly appealing destination for several reasons. So, if Canada is on your list of places want to move to, here’s how you can get started:

Figure out ways to move to Canada from Nigeria.

If you’re looking to relocate permanently to Canada, then express entry happens to be the most popular way to move to Canada from Nigeria and is also considered to be the fastest in some cases. With this route, you can relocate as a skilled worker with at least 3 years of working experience or based on future employment success in Canada, your age, a university degree, moderate English proficiency, and proof of funds. It falls under three categories, which are assessed on different points-based systems.

Some provinces, like Quebec or those less populated in the Atlantic region, have additional opportunities for immigrants seeking stable employment and you can be sponsored by a province if your job skills are especially unique.

Canada also encourages new permanent residency through its Start-Up Visa Program for those entrepreneurs who are willing to invest in the country. The program allows entry for innovative entrepreneurs, who will employ Canadians, and could compete on a global scale.

Know if you can afford it.  

The next thing to do when planning to move to Canada from Nigeria is to know how much your relocation would cost you.

For instance, if you’re going through a student visa,  know that getting your academic transcripts evaluated by World Education Services (WES)  typically costs around CAD$227 (approximately ₦340,500 at the current exchange rate), and may be more if you request a hardcopy of the evaluation.

The registration fee for the IELTS (International English Language Testing System) exam can be as high as ₦250,000. And the amount you need to show for proof of funds (POF) depends on how many people you’re relocating to Canada with you and starts at $14, 690 for one family member, which is  ₦22,035,000 in naira. There are other fees you’ll need to pay which depend on the path you’re choosing to move from Canada to Nigeria. It’s also a good idea to familiarise yourself with the typical living expenses in Canada. For example:

By understanding these costs upfront, you can better prepare and budget for your relocation to Canada. And if you’re going there as a student,  you can send money to your school in Canada, through CadRemit. To get the real exchange rate, the same one you find on Google, consider using CadRemit to get your money from one country to another. In fact, with CadRemit you can choose to send money from your Nigerian account to your CadRemit wallet and spend it in CAD when you arrive in Canada.

Next, find a place to live in Canada.

Don’t wait until you arrive in Canada to get a place. The smart way to go about finding a place is to do this before moving to Canada from Nigeria. A real estate agent may also help find a new place to live. Most Canadians live on the southern border, near the largest cities of Toronto, Vancouver, and Montreal. The rental market is competitive in these urban areas, and there are always plenty of apartments, townhouses, or single-family homes for rent or sale. However, consider what your budget is like, places like Toronto and Vancouver are the more expensive areas in Canada.  And living outside of the cities, in the Quebec province, or Atlantic coastal provinces like New Brunswick or Newfoundland are more affordable.

Don’t forget to get healthcare insurance.

When moving to Canada from Nigeria, it is important to make sure you register for health insurance to avoid unexpected expenses that may exceed your budget in the first few months or years. Each province in Canada has its healthcare system, and some may have a waiting period of up to three months before issuing a health card. Each province has its healthcare system, and some have a waiting period of up to three months before a health card can be issued. Only three provinces charge health care premiums: British Columbia, Ontario, and Alberta. In the remaining provinces, healthcare is paid for through taxes.

Private insurance is available to cover additional healthcare needs, such as pharmacy or specialist services. However, all provinces provide free emergency hospital care, regardless of your status or whether you have a health card.

Get ready and remember these few important things:  

Canada is a bilingual country with French and English as its official languages. While most Canadians primarily speak English, French is the official language in the Quebec province.

You’ll need to pay for services like air conditioning, home phone, internet, and other utilities, which can be expensive. Also, your Nigerian driver's license is only valid for 90 days after your arrival. After this period, you will need to pass a series of tests to obtain a certified Canadian driver's license.

Canada's climate varies greatly depending on the region. The north is the coldest, while the west is generally warmer than the east, so research the local climate and temperatures before deciding where to find an apartment. When shopping in Canada, be aware that the listed price of an item does not include taxes. You will need to pay a bit more for the product due to the taxes. Be ready to do some non-career jobs while you search for a job that suits you. Don’t wait to get a blue-collar job before you start working.

Lastly, don’t ruin your credit score. Because Canada is a credit-based economy, it might be easy to live above your means and when you’re not able to pay the amount you owe, it’s terrible for your financial reputation.

With several pathways available, migrating to Canada from Nigeria can be a daunting process. However, before you choose any immigration route, do your extensive research and weigh your options and how achievable they are, and if it’s through school, remember you can use CadRemit to settle your tuition fees and secure your offer easily.

Olivia

CadRemit Editorial