How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada From Nigeria? In my last article, I talked about how to get a job in Canada as a foreigner. Today we’re going to take a look at how to apply for work permit in Canada from Nigeria.
According to the Canadian Treasury Department, more than 1 million new jobs will be created in Canada’s economy by 2021, making Canada one of the top destinations for foreign workers. As a result, Canada is currently accepting and processing work visa applications under the Global Skills Strategy (GSS) in as little as 2 weeks.
The GSS is a Canadian federal government program created to help to qualify Canadian companies to hire qualified workers from around the world through faster application processing times, work permit waivers, and improved customer service.
So you can take advantage of these favorable conditions in Canada and apply for a Canadian work visa from Nigeria if you meet the visa requirements of a work permit program.
How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada From Nigeria?
How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada From Nigeria in 3 steps
Step 1: Find a job in Canada
To apply for a work visa from Nigeria, you need a valid job offer.
The good news is that finding a job in Canada from Nigeria is a great opportunity as Canada is currently experiencing a shortage of skills and labor due to its retired population. 25% of all working Canadians are nearing retirement, leaving many coveted job openings in Canada that Canadians are unable to fill. For example, employers are currently recruiting foreign workers to fill these positions in Canada.
NOTE:
The type of Canadian work visa you qualify for will affect the type of job opportunity you may receive in Canada.
For example, if you have been offered a position in one of the jobs in one of the professions featured in the Global Talent Professions list, you can obtain a work visa through the Global Talent Stream and take advantage of the two-week visa processing time!
Alternatively, you can also apply for a Canadian work visa from Nigeria via an Employer Specific Work Permit by applying through:
- The Canadian Agri-Food Immigration Pilot Program; or
- The Temporary Foreign Workers Program’s Canadian Immigration Home Care Program.
Best of all, after two years of work experience in Canada, you will be eligible to apply for permanent residency in Canada for yourself and your family members!
Check out the top 15 jobs in Canada in 2022, according to Randstad.
Top 15 Jobs in Canada in 2022
| Top 15 Jobs in Canada in 2022 | |
| Occupation | Average Annual Salary in CAD (Source: Neuvoo) |
| 1.Administrative assistant | $43, 875 |
| 2.Customer service representative | $34, 125 |
| 3.Sales associate | $37, 050 |
| 4.Driver | $44, 234 |
| 5.Accounts payable and receivable clerk | $34, 750 |
| 6.Registered nurse | $80, 126 |
| 7.Project manager | $90, 675 |
| 8.General labourer | $31, 919 |
| 9.Welder | $43, 875 |
| 10.Electric engineer | $74, 997 |
| 11.Software developer | $85, 600 |
| 12.Merchandiser | $31, 346 |
| 13.Accountant | $58, 500 |
| 14.HR manager | $78, 975 |
| 15.Financial advisor | $77, 739 |
Can I work in Canada without a job offer?
Yes, under very specific circumstances you may be able to apply for a Canadian work visa without a job offer. For example, if you study in Canada and earn a Canadian degree, you may be able to apply for a Postgraduate Work Permit (PGWP) without a job offer. This allows you to stay and gain valuable Canadian work experience that could lead to a permanent future in the country.
Step 2: Request a Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) from your employer
What is an LMIA?
A Labor Market Impact Assessment (LMIA) is a document that an employer in Canada must have before hiring a foreign worker to demonstrate that there is currently no actual Canadian worker or permanent resident available for the specified work for which the foreign workers are hired.
Jobs exempt from the LMIA requirement
Nigerian temporary foreign workers who are eligible for a work permit program under the International Mobility Program (IMP) are exempt from the LMIA requirement. For example, if you are posted to Canada by your Canadian company from Nigeria, you most likely qualify for an LMIA exemption as you are applying for a work visa under the IMP.
Other in-demand occupations in Canada that are exempt from the LMIA are senior healthcare workers and essential workers, freelance graphic designers, freelance writers, etc.
Step 3: Submit your Canadian work visa application from Nigeria
Once you have a valid job offer and your LMIA, gather all other required documents and submit your work permit visa application to the Embassy of Canada for processing.
A unique way to work in Canada from Nigeria is to apply for your work visa through one of two incredible Canadian immigration pilot programs designed specifically for expatriate farm workers and caregivers. There is a constant demand for labor in these industries, so finding a job will not be too difficult. Your work experience in Canada will help you and your family settle in the country permanently!
How it works: When you apply for your work visa, you also apply for a permanent residence permit at the same time. Once you have completed the required hours of work in Canada, your application for permanent residence will be processed.
How much does a Canadian work visa cost?
When you submit your TWV application, you must pay the application processing costs. When you apply for the first time, you will receive both a work permit and a visa to enter Canada. Your family members may be able to join you in Canada.
| 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 is easier to work and live in Canada through an immigration program than trying to get a work visa from Nigeria. This is especially true if your profession is not in high demand and you cannot get a job offer supported by an LMIA. The next best option is to apply through the Express Entry Immigration System, which does not require a valid job offer.
Enter the Express Entry Draw from Nigeria
You can apply for permanent residency in Canada from Nigeria through the popular express entry system designed for skilled foreign workers. The express entry system selects suitable permanent residents from an online pool of candidates. It is aptly named Express Entry because the system processes permanent residence applications in a record six months.
Candidates in the Express Entry pool are evaluated using a points-based system known as the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). Each candidate is evaluated on eligibility criteria such as age, amount of work experience, level of education, spouse references, etc. The highest-scoring candidates will receive a bi-weekly permanent resident permit (ITA) draws. If you receive an ITA, you can apply to immigrate to Canada as a permanent resident.
Who is considered a foreign skilled worker?
Who is considered a foreign skilled worker? Find out below.
| Skilled Work Experience for Express Entry | |
| Skill level/type | Example jobs |
| Skill type 0 | Management jobs; human resource managers, etc |
| Skill level A | Professional jobs; accountants, marketing professionals, etc |
| Skill level B | Technical jobs and skilled trades: plumber, event planners, etc |
What if I am unable to get a job in Canada from Nigeria supported by an LMIA?
If for some reason you are unable to get a job in Canada from Nigeria supported by an LMIA, your next best option is to apply through an immigration program to work and live in Canada rather than attempting a Canadian work visa from Nigeria to get.
In this case, your best bet is to use the Express Entry Immigration System, which does not require a valid job offer, to apply for Canadian Permanent Resident (PR).
Conclusion – How To Apply For Work Permit In Canada From Nigeria?
With the above information on How to apply for Work Permit in Canada from Nigeria. it’s now quite easy for you to apply and get a work permit in Canada from Nigeria. If you have any questions, you can use the comment section, don’t forget to share on your social media pages for others to know about how to apply for Work Permit in Canada from Nigeria.
