How to Apply for Canada Express Entry from Nigeria

Relocating to Canada from Nigeria has been a topic of conversation for many Nigerians because it provides many people with several opportunities.

The Canadian government established the Express Entry System to solve labour market shortages in the economy, it comprises immigration options that allow skilled persons to go to Canada and become permanent citizens.

Who is Eligible for Canada Express Entry?

There is no such thing as a one-size-fits-all profile that is eligible for Express Entry. Candidates that enter the pool are assigned a comprehensive ranking system (CRS) score, and those with higher CRS scores are more likely to be invited to apply. Language competence, age, degree of job experience, education, and Canadian connections are all selection characteristics that can affect your CRS score.

What is a Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) Score?

Canada uses the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) to rank skilled worker candidates who want to immigrate to Canada through Express Entry. The CRS awards candidates a score based on criteria such as their age, education, language skills, and work experience.

The points you get from the CRS include a core set of points up to 600 and a set of additional points of up to 600. Your total score will be out of 1,200.

Core: Up to 600 points.

Skills and experience factors:

• Spouse or common-law partner factors, such as their language skills and education

• Skills transferability, including education and work experience

Additional: Up to 600 points.

• Canadian degrees, diplomas or certificates

• A valid job offer

• A nomination from a province or territory

•A  brother or sister living in Canada who is a citizen or permanent resident

• Strong French language skills

Core points + Additional points = your total score

The ideal Express Entry candidates, according to Canadim, a Canadian immigration law practice, would match the following requirements:

• Be under the age of 30.

• Have a minimum of two Bachelor’s degrees or a Master’s degree.

• You must be able to demonstrate moderate to advanced English and/or French language skills (Canadian Language Benchmark [CLB] level nine or higher).

• Have a minimum of three years of skilled work experience.

Immigration Programs for Canada Express Entry

Express entry immigration procedures are available for skilled or experienced employees in the following categories:

Federal Skilled Worker Program: Skilled workers with foreign job experience who want to permanently immigrate to Canada.

Federal Skilled Trades Program: Federal skilled employees who desire to become permanent residents because they are qualified in a skilled trade.

Canadian Experience Class: Skilled workers who have worked in Canada within the last 3 years and desire to become permanent residents.

If you are eligible for one of the programs listed above, you can also apply for the Provincial Nominee Program through Express Entry. If you are nominated, you will receive bonus points and will be requested to apply as soon as possible.

Steps on How to Apply for Canada Express Entry from Nigeria

Step 1: Determine your eligibility.

To access the CSR tool, click here, fill in the appropriate fields, and submit. If your score is less than 420, it is recommended that you search for the alternatives you marked no and find a means to mark them yes. For example, if you only have a Bachelor’s degree, you can choose to pursue a Master’s degree to boost your score, or if your work experience is between 2 and 3 years, you can wait a few more years to boost your score.

This tool gives you a number at the end (a personal reference code). The code looks like: JM1234567890. Use this number to move your information from the tool to your Express Entry profile.

Step 2: Submit your profile.

The next step is to send your application to the Express Entry pool. If you are eligible based on step one, the tool will direct you to your online account to complete an Express Entry profile.

• If you don’t already have an account, follow the steps to create one.

• When prompted, enter the personal reference code given to you in step 1

• Enter your personal information.

• You have the option to exit the profile at any moment, your data will be stored in your account.

• Your Express Entry profile must be completed and submitted within 60 days. You’ll have to start over if you don’t. After you’ve completed your profile, you can submit it online.

Step 3: Get your ITA (Invitation to Apply).

IRCC conducts Express Entry draws on a regular basis, and candidates with the highest CSR scores usually receive invites to apply within a few weeks, if not less than a week. If you are invited to apply, you will have 60 days to complete your application, and if you are not chosen right away, your profile will stay active in the Express Entry pool for 12 months.

Step 4: Apply for Visa

Once you get your ITA, you should start filling out the online form right away so that you can get all the information and documents you need before your invitation expires.

Follow these steps to fill out the online form:

• Sign into your account

• Click the link to apply for permanent residence under Express Entry.

• Fill in all the mandatory fields and submit.

• When filling out the form, make sure you include all of the relevant documents and answer all of the questions truthfully.

How Long Does the Express Entry Processing Time Take?

Following the four steps outlined above, the next step is to do nothing. You simply have to wait for a response from the Canadian government, which can take anywhere from 3 to 6 months or even up to a year.

When a complete permanent residence application is received, the government begins to estimate the processing time. When a final decision is made on the application, the processing time comes to an end.

After the evaluation, you will either receive an email stating that it has been accepted or that it has not been approved.

Originally posted on April 18, 2022 @ 1:18 am