A Guide To Obtain Permanent Residency In Canada For International Students (Nigerians and Kenyans)

There are numerous permanent resident (PR) categories where you can fit, including the Federal Skilled Worker Program, Canadian Experience Class, and the Provincial Nominee Program.

Some of those PR categories need eligible work experience in Canada. If you want to work in Canada after graduating from your school, you must apply for a work permit under the Post-Graduation Work Permit (PGWP) program. To apply for permanent residency, an international student needs to have a minimum of 1560 hours of work experience in the last 5 years. However, there are more requirements to get permanent residency in Canada which we’ll see in the following topics.

Holding a Canada PR will make you a permanent resident of the country; however, you will not be a Canadian citizen. The following are the entails your Canada PR carries for you:

1. You will get social perks (such as healthcare coverage) that are accessible to Canadian citizens.
2. You can live in any province and city of Canada.
3. You can work across Canada.
4. You can study in any school in Canada.
5. You can apply for Citizenship of Canada if you have been in Canada for a minimum of 3 years out of the last 5 years. It comprises an overall of 1,095 days.
6. You will be under Canadian law and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

General Requirements for a PR Card

Regardless of the program you use to obtain a PR card in Canada, you must meet certain general requirements. These requirements are as follows:

1. You are applying via an authorized program
2. You have obtained the required language proficiency score for your program
3. You are in good health, as your medical examination shows
4. You have sufficient money to support yourself and any family members in Canada
5. You have no criminal record in Nigeria or any other nation you have lived in and will not pose a threat or problem in Canada.

What are the education criteria for getting Canadian PR for Nigerians?

• Nigerians should possess one year of full-time or similar paid work experience in the last 10 years in a skilled occupation as per the National Occupational Classification (NOC) TEER category 0, 1, 2, or 3;
• Confirmed language ability similar to Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) 7 in English or French throughout all abilities (reading, writing, listening, and speaking);
• Canadian educational records (certificate, diploma, or degree) or foreign educational records and Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report.
• FSWP applicants must obtain at least 67 points on six immigration selection factors of IRCC.
• Demonstrate that you have sufficient money for you and your family to settle in Canada.

To know more about Immigrate to Canada from Nigeria click here

Language Proficiency Requirement for Canadian PR

• Confirmation of your English or French language proficiency in the areas of reading, writing, speaking, and listening can be obtained through an IELTS or CELPIP test, which is equivalent to meeting a grade 7 on the Canadian Language Benchmark.
• At least 67 points on the IRCC’s immigration selection factors.

Express Entry

Express Entry is an online system that the Canadian government uses to organize and process applications of skilled workers who want to immigrate and get permanent residence status in Canada. The online system manages three major federal economic programs-

• Federal Skilled Worker (FSW)
• Federal Skilled Trades (FST)

How can you apply for Express Entry?

Express Entry Application is a two-step process-

The first step includes the submission of your profile which needs the following documents:

1. Language test scores
2. Educational Credential Assessment report
3. A passport or travel document

Now when you have submitted your profile and you get an invitation to apply for permanent residence in Canada, you may have to give a more substantial application that should have additional identity documents, police clearance certificates, reference letters, and results of a medical examination.

What are the requirements for Express Entry?

Generally, as an eligible skilled worker to apply to Express Entry, you must:

• Have at least one year, in the past 10 years of consecutive full-time (or equivalent part-time) work experience as a skilled worker
• Be able to show on an approved language test at least a Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) seven in English
• Completed post-secondary education that is evaluated against the education standards of Canada with an Education Credential Assessment.

Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

A PNP program or Provincial Nominee Program in Canada is the best alternative to a Canadian Federal skilled worker visa (PR).

In Canada, the PNP program enables provincial governments to select the immigrants they need for their specific province or territory. This program also gives applicants the chance to obtain permanent residency status.

Which provinces are under the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP)?

• British Columbia
• Alberta
• Manitoba
• Newfoundland and Labrador
• New Brunswick
• Saskatchewan
• Nova Scotia
• Ontario
• Prince Edward Island
• Northwest Territories
• Yukon

Documentation for the Provincial Nominee Programs (PNPs)

Some basic documents needed are –

• General application form of the primary applicant.
• Form attested by the spouse and other dependents.
• Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report
• Language skills results
• Proof of fund
• Medical certificate
• Police clearance certificate
• Recent color photographs
• Valid passport
• Identity proof
• Documents that support the spouse and other dependents.

If you want to become a permanent resident of Canada, you have to be ready with all the necessary documents. You have various options to obtain PR in Canada, but make sure you fulfill all conditions. If you seek help from experts to get any help, the Craydel team will love to do it. You just need to fill out a form.