How To Get A Canadian Work Visa From Nigeria – Have you read our article on how you can immigrate to Canada? Well, you have to read it if you haven’t read it. Now, we’re going to be looking at what it takes to work in Canada as a temporary foreign worker. With over 1-million new jobs added to the Canadian economy in 2021 and thousands of jobs that are in high demand across the country, it is obvious that Canada will be welcoming more foreign workers during this time. As it stands, Canada is currently accepting and processing work visa applications for foreign workers in essential areas such as nursing and agriculture.
In 2019, over 12,595 Nigerians got Canadian permanent residence through a variety of different visa programs in the country. As a Nigerian, you can apply for a Canadian work visa if you meet the visa requirements of a work permit program.
We are going to be discussing this in details so do well to follow us.
3 Steps to Work in Canada from Nigeria
Step 1: Find a Job in Canada
For you to apply for a work visa in Canada, you will need a valid and reasonable job offer from any employer in the country. It is very possible to find a job in Canada from Nigeria because the country has many job opportunities and shortage of labour to match this opportunities due to its aging population. Many Canadians are currently retiring due to old age, leaving many job vacancies that employers are only able to fill with the help of foreign workers and this is leading to an influx of many foreign workers in the country.
You should note that:
The type of Canadian work visa you qualify for will determine the type of job offer you will obtain in Canada. For example, if you have a job offer as an agricultural worker then you could obtain an employer-specific work permit by applying through the Agricultural Worker Stream of the Temporary Foreign Worker Program.
In another example, if you are a highly-skilled tech personnel and you have a job offer in a tech position then you could qualify for a work visa through the Global Talent Stream and benefit from 2-week visa processing. Sweet right!!
Top 15 jobs in Canada in 2021
When we say top 15 jobs in Canada, we mean the jobs that are in high demand in the country. We will be looking at the list according to Randstad and also their average annual salary.
| Top 15 Jobs in Canada in 2021 | |
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary in CAD (Source: Neuvoo) |
| Administrative assistant | $43, 875 |
| Customer service representative | $34, 125 |
| Sales associate | $37, 050 |
| Driver | $44, 234 |
| Accounts payable and receivable clerk | $34, 750 |
| Registered nurse | $80, 126 |
| Project manager | $90, 675 |
| General labourer | $31, 919 |
| Welder | $43, 875 |
| Electric engineer | $74, 997 |
| Software developer | $85, 600 |
| Merchandiser | $31, 346 |
| Accountant | $58, 500 |
| HR manager | $78, 975 |
| Financial advisor | $77, 739 |
Can I work in Canada without a job offer?
Well, yea you can. Though it’s in very specific circumstances that you may be able to apply for a Canadian work visa without a job offer. For instance, if you study in Canada and graduate with a Canadian qualification then you may be able to apply for a Post-Graduate Work Permit (PGWP) without a job offer. This will allow you to stay on and gain valuable Canadian work experience that could lead to a permanent future in the country.
Step 2: Get a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA)
If you are applying for a Canadian work visa from Nigeria, your job offer will need to be supported by a Labour Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) for it to be seen as valid and for you to also stand the chance of living in the country. This is because the majority of work permit programs that allow foreigners to live and work in Canada on a temporary basis usually require an LMIA.
What is an LMIA?
An LMIA is a document that’s issued to Canadian employers who need to hire foreign workers because they couldn’t find someone to fill the job position locally. A positive LMIA shows that there is a need for a foreign worker to be hired to fill a job position. This means that you can only obtain an LMIA from the employer in Canada who wishes to hire you. You need a copy of the LMIA document when you submit your work visa application. It is issued by the Employment and Social Development Canada (ESDC) to the employer that wishes to hire foreign workers.
Who doesn’t need an LMIA?
People that don’t need a LMIA document to work in Canada are temporary foreign workers from Nigeria who qualify for a work permit program under the International Mobility Program (IMP). For example, if you are a company transferee then you could qualify for an LMIA-exempt work visa under the IMP. Certain essential occupations in Canada are also exempted from this requirement such as healthcare professionals.
Step 3: Work towards a Permanent Future in Canada With Pilot Programs
Another easy way to work in Canada from Nigeria is to apply for your work visa through one of two incredible Canadian immigration pilot programs specifically designed for agriculture workers and caregivers from abroad. Finding a job in these areas won’t be difficult as there is a high demand for workers in these fields. You should also know that, the work experience you gained in Canada will help you and your family to settle in the country permanently.
Immigration Pilot Programs
The Agri-Food Pilot
The Home Care Provider Pilots
How it Works: When you apply for your work visa you will also be applying for permanent residency at the same time. As soon as you fulfill the required working hours in Canada, your application for permanent residency will be processed.
How much does a Canadian Work Visa cost?
When you submit your work permit application, you will be required to pay a fee called the application processing fee. You will be issued both a work permit and a visa to enter Canada when you apply for the first time. Also your family members may be able to join you in Canada if you are the bread winner of the home or they are dependent on you.
| Canadian Work Visa Application Fees | |
| VISA TYPE | COST |
| Work permit | $155 per person |
| Work permit extension | $155 per person |
| Open work permit | $100 per person |
Live and Work in Canada as a Permanent Resident
Sometimes it’s easier to apply to work and live in Canada through an immigration program instead of attempting to get a work visa from Nigeria. The immigration programs are better if your occupation is not in high demand and you are could not get a job offer supported by an LMIA. The next best option is to apply through the Express Entry immigration system that doesn’t require a valid job offer.
Enter the Express Entry Draw from Nigeria
From Nigeria, you can apply for Canadian permanent residency through the popular Express Entry system which is designed for skilled foreign workers. The Express Entry system selects eligible candidates for permanent residency from an online pool of candidates. The Express Entry is called so because the system processes applications for permanent residency in a period as short as six months.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are scored based on points in a ranking system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Each candidate is given a score for eligibility criteria such as their age, amount of work experience, level of education, their spouses’ credentials, etc. The highest-scoring candidates receive Invitations to Apply (ITA) for permanent residency. The draws are done as frequently as every two weeks. If you receive an ITA then you can apply to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident.
Who is considered a skilled foreign worker?
The table below shows the skilled foreign workers that can apply for express entry. Let’s looks at them…
| Skilled Work Experience for Express Entry | |
| Skill level/type | Example jobs |
| Skill type 0 | Management jobs human resource managers |
| Skill level A | Professional jobs Accountantsmarketing professionals |
| Skill level B | Technical jobs and skilled trades Plumber event planners |
We Can Help Define Your Path to Canada From Nigeria
If you are not sure how you can get a Canadian work visa or how you can even apply for permanent residence, you might become confused as to choosing the best path to work in Canada as a Nigerian based on some of your criteria like level of education, work experience, and skills. Well, the thing is you don’t have to be confused about how to go about it; we at boozyn are always here to guide you on the best decision to take.
REFERENCE
- canadianvisa.org
- currentschoolnews.com
- worldstudentforum.com
