Thinking about moving to Canada from Nigeria in 2025? Many Nigerian professionals are looking north for new opportunities, and Canada’s Express Entry system remains a primary route to make that happen. It’s a system designed to bring skilled workers into the country, and with new updates for 2025/2026, understanding the process is key.

This guide breaks down the Canada Express Entry application process step-by-step, specifically for professionals applying from Nigeria. We’ll cover eligibility, required documents, the application stages, and important tips relevant to your situation.

What is Canada’s Express Entry System in 2025?

Express Entry isn’t an immigration program itself. It’s the online system Canada uses to manage applications from skilled workers for permanent residence. It covers three main economic emigration programs:

1. Federal Skilled Worker Program (FSWP): This is often the most suitable path for Nigerian professionals who have skilled work experience gained outside Canada.
2. Federal Skilled Trades Program (FSTP): For qualified workers in specific skilled trades.
3. Canadian Experience Class (CEC): For individuals who already have recent skilled work experience in Canada

Candidates create an online profile. Based on the information provided (like age, education, work history, language skills), they get a score using the Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS). The Canadian government then invites the highest-scoring candidates from the pool to apply for permanent residence through regular “draws”.

Key Changes for 2025:

• Category-Based Draws: While general draws inviting top-scoring candidates continue, Canada is increasingly using category-based draws in 2025. These target candidates with specific work experience or skills needed in Canada. For 2025, announced priority categories include:

o Strong French language skills o Healthcare occupations o Skilled Trades occupations (like carpenters, plumbers) o New for 2025: Education occupations (like teachers, early childhood educators) o (STEM and Agriculture/Agri-food may still feature but appear less emphasized in the 2025 priority announcements compared to the others)

• Focus on Human Capital: Recent changes suggest a reduced emphasis on points for prearranged Canadian job offers (LMIA-based), putting more weight back onto your core skills, education, language ability, and work background.

For most Nigerian professionals applying from abroad without Canadian experience, the FSWP under Express Entry is the main focus.

Are You Eligible? Key Requirements for Nigerians (FSWP Focus)

To qualify for the Federal Skilled Worker Program pool under Express Entry, you generally need to meet these minimum requirements:

• Skilled Work Experience: At least one year of continuous, full-time (or equivalent part-time) paid work experience in the last 10 years. This work must be in a single occupation listed under TEER Category 0, 1, 2, or 3 of Canada’s National Occupational Classification (NOC) system.
• Language Ability: You need to prove your proficiency in English or French. For English, the minimum requirement is Canadian Language Benchmark (CLB) level 7 in all four abilities (reading, writing, listening, speaking). This translates to specific scores on approved tests like IELTS General Training.
• Education: You must have completed education equivalent to at least a Canadian secondary school (high school) diploma. For post-secondary education completed outside Canada (like degrees from Nigerian universities), you’ll need an Educational Credential Assessment (ECA) report to prove it’s valid and equal to a Canadian credential.
• Points Assessment: You must score at least 67 points out of 100 on the FSWP selection grid. This grid awards points for age, education, work experience, language skills, adaptability (like having relatives in Canada or previous Canadian study/work), and whether you have a valid Canadian job offer (though job offers are not mandatory).
• Settlement Funds: You must show you have enough money to support yourself and your family upon arrival in Canada, unless you are currently working legally in Canada or have a valid job offer from a Canadian employer. The required amount changes yearly and depends on your family size.

Meeting these minimums gets you into the Express Entry pool. Your actual CRS score determines your ranking and likelihood of getting invited.

Step 1: Get Your Documents Ready – ECA and Language Tests

Before you even think about creating an online profile, tackle these two crucial steps:

A. Educational Credential Assessment (ECA)

If your degree, diploma, or certificate is from a Nigerian institution (or any country outside Canada), you need an ECA. This report confirms your foreign education is valid and equal to a Canadian one.

• Why: It’s mandatory for FSWP if you want points for your education.
• Who does it: Several organizations are designated by IRCC (Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada), but World Education Services (WES) is very commonly used by applicants from Nigeria. Others include ICAS, IQAS, and CES.
• Process: You’ll typically apply online to the chosen organization (e.g., WES), pay a fee, and arrange for your Nigerian university to send your transcripts directly to them. You might also need to send copies of your degree certificate.
• Cost: Fees vary. An ECA report specifically for Canadian immigration purposes from WES costs around $256 CAD (as of early 2025, check their website for current pricing). There might be additional costs for courier delivery.
• Timing: Processing can take several weeks or even months after the organization receives all required documents from your institution, so start this early.

B. Language Testing

You must prove your language skills by taking an approved test.

• English: Most Nigerians take the IELTS General Training To meet the minimum CLB 7 for

FSWP, you typically need a score of 6.0 in each of the four bands (Listening, Reading, Writing, Speaking). Aim higher if possible, as language scores significantly boost your CRS points. Other accepted English tests exist, like CELPIP (mainly available in Canada).

• French: If you speak French, taking the TEF Canada or TCF Canada can earn you valuable points, potentially even making you eligible for French-language category draws.
• Booking: Find approved test centers in Nigeria (e.g., Lagos, Abuja) and book your test well in advance.
• Validity: Test results are typically valid for two years. Ensure yours will be valid when you submit your Express Entry profile and, if invited, your final application.

Step 2: Prove Your Work Experience

You need to demonstrate at least one year of eligible skilled work experience.

• NOC/TEER: Identify the correct National Occupational Classification (NOC) 2021 code for your job(s). Your main duties must match the description for a TEER 0, 1, 2, or 3 occupation. Check the official NOC website on Canada.ca.
• Reference Letters: Get detailed reference letters from your past employers for the qualifying period. These letters are critical and should:
  • Be on company letterhead. o Include company contact information (address, phone, email). o           State your specific period of employment.
  • List your positions held and main responsibilities/duties for each. o Mention your salary and number of hours worked per week.
  • Be signed by a supervisor or HR representative.
• Translation: If any letters are not in English or French, you’ll need a certified translation.

Step 3: Create Your Express Entry Profile

Once you have your ECA report reference number and language test results (and have confirmed your eligibility), you can create your profile online via the official IRCC website (Canada.ca).

• Information Needed: You’ll enter details about your age, education, language test scores, work history (including NOC codes), family information, and proof of funds amount.
• CRS Score: The system automatically calculates your Comprehensive Ranking System (CRS) score based on the information you provide. This score determines your rank in the Express Entry pool.
• Accuracy is Vital: Be completely honest and accurate. Misrepresentation can lead to severe penalties, including being banned from applying to Canada for five years.
• Profile Validity: Your profile is valid for 12 months. If you don’t receive an invitation within that time, you can recreate it if you still meet the criteria.

Step 4: The Waiting Game – Draws & Improving Your Score

After submitting your profile, you enter the Express Entry pool. Now, you wait for invitation rounds (draws).

• Draw Frequency: IRCC typically holds draws every couple of weeks, but the frequency and type can vary.
• Draw Types:
  • General Rounds: Invite candidates with the highest CRS scores, regardless of the program (FSWP, CEC, FSTP).
  • Program-Specific Rounds: Invite candidates from only one program (e.g., PNP-only draws).
  • Category-Based Rounds: Invite candidates with specific attributes (e.g., strong French skills or work experience in priority sectors like healthcare, trades, or education for 2025).
• CRS Cut-off: Each draw has a minimum CRS score cut-off. If your score is above the cut-off for that draw, you’ll receive an Invitation to Apply (ITA). Cut-offs fluctuate based on who is in the pool and Canada’s immigration targets.
• Education Category Focus (2025): If you’re a Nigerian professional in education (like a teacher, assistant, or early childhood educator), the new 2025 category-based draws for education could be very beneficial, potentially leading to invitations at lower CRS scores than general draws. Eligible NOCs include 43100, 42203, 42202, 41221, and 41220.

Boosting Your CRS Score While You Wait:

Don’t just sit passively! You can improve your score:

• Improve Language Scores: Retake IELTS or TEF/TCF to aim for higher CLB levels (CLB 9+ gives maximum points).
• Gain More Education: Completing another degree or diploma can increase points (requires another ECA).
• Gain More Work Experience: Each additional year of skilled work experience adds points.
• Provincial Nominee Program (PNP): Explore PNPs aligned with Express Entry. Getting a provincial nomination adds 600 points to your CRS score, virtually guaranteeing an ITA. Check individual provincial websites for their requirements.
• Spouse/Partner Factors: If applying with a spouse or partner, their language skills, education (with ECA), and Canadian work experience can also add points.
• Learn French: Even moderate French skills alongside strong English provide extra points.

Step 5: Invitation to Apply (ITA) – The Final Push

Receiving an ITA is a major milestone! But the clock starts ticking.

• Deadline: You have only 60 days from receiving the ITA to submit your complete electronic Application for Permanent Residence (eAPR). Don’t delay gathering your documents.
• Key Documents Needed: You’ll need to upload scanned copies of documents supporting the claims made in your profile, including:
  • Valid Passport (copies of bio-data page and relevant stamp pages). o Language Test Results (e.g., your IELTS TRF).
  • ECA Report. o Detailed Work Experience Reference Letters. o    Police Certificates (see Nigerian specifics below). o      Medical Examination Confirmation (from a panel physician). o         Proof of Funds documentation (see below). o Digital Photograph. o           Birth Certificates, Marriage Certificates (if applicable). o Other documents as requested in your personalized checklist.

Step 6: Submitting the Application & Fees

Upload all required documents through your IRCC online account before the 60-day deadline. You also need to pay the necessary fees.

• Fees (as of early 2025 – verify on Canada.ca):
  • Application Processing Fee: $950 CAD per adult.
  • Right of Permanent Residence Fee (RPRF): $575 CAD per adult (payable upfront or before visa issuance).
  • Dependent Child Fee: $260 CAD per child.
  • Biometrics Fee: $85 CAD per person, or a maximum of $170 CAD for a family applying together.
• Total Cost Example (Single Applicant): $950 (Processing) + $575 (RPRF) = $1,525 CAD, plus $85 CAD for biometrics = $1,610 CAD. (This excludes ECA, language tests, medicals, police certificates, etc.).

Pay online via credit card.

Crucial Details for Nigerian Applicants

Navigating some requirements involves specific steps for Nigerians:

• Police Certificates:
  • Who needs it: You and any family members 18+ need one from Nigeria if you currently live there OR if you’ve lived there for 6 months or more in the last 10 years (since age 18). You also need certificates from any other country where you lived for 6+ months since age 18.
  • How to get it in Nigeria: Apply to the Nigeria Police Force Central Criminal Registry (CCR), Alagbon Close, Ikoyi, Lagos (or potentially through state CID HQs). The process usually involves submitting an application form, passport photos, copies of your passport bio-data page, and getting your fingerprints taken. You might need to apply in person or potentially arrange it by mail/proxy if outside Nigeria (check current procedures).
  • Cost/Timing: Fees can vary and might be around N80,000 – N100,000 or more locally (or $50-$100 USD if applying via an embassy abroad, check current rates). Processing can take several weeks, sometimes longer. Apply for this as soon as possible, even before getting an ITA, if you anticipate needing it. The certificate for your current country of residence must be issued within 6 months of submitting your eAPR.
• Medical Examinations:
  • Who: You and all accompanying family members must undergo a medical exam.
  • How: The exam must be done by a doctor approved by IRCC, known as a Panel Physician. You cannot use your regular family doctor. Find the list of approved Panel Physicians in Nigeria on the IRCC website.
  • Process: Book an appointment directly with the panel physician’s clinic. They will perform the exam and send the results directly to IRCC. You’ll get a confirmation document to upload.
  • Cost: Costs vary by clinic but might range internationally from $200-$500 CAD equivalent per person. Confirm fees when booking.
• Proof of Funds:
  • Requirement: Mandatory for FSWP unless you have a valid Canadian job offer or are currently working legally in Canada.
  • Amount (Updated June 2024, verify for 2025 on Canada.ca):
    • 1 person: $14,690 CAD
    • 2 people: $18,288 CAD
    • 3 people: $22,483 CAD
    • 4 people: $27,297 CAD
    • (Add $3,958 CAD for each additional family member)
    • Always check the official IRCC website for the absolute latest figures before applying.
  • Proof: Get official letters from your bank(s) on their letterhead showing account numbers, opening dates, current balances, and average balance over the past 6 months. Funds must be readily available (not borrowed, no property equity) and in your name or your accompanying spouse’s name (with proof of access if solely in spouse’s name). Savings accounts, fixed deposits (if accessible), stocks, bonds might be acceptable – check IRCC guidelines.

What Happens After Applying?

Once your eAPR is submitted:

• Acknowledgement: You’ll receive an Acknowledgment of Receipt (AOR).
• Processing: IRCC aims to process most Express Entry applications within 6 months from the AOR date. However, times can vary.
• Biometrics: You’ll receive instructions to give biometrics (fingerprints and photo) at a Visa Application Centre (VAC) if you haven’t done so recently for a Canadian application.
• Updates: Check your online account regularly for updates or requests for more information. Respond promptly.
• Decision: If approved, you’ll receive a Confirmation of Permanent Residence (COPR) and potentially a permanent resident visa (if needed) to travel to Canada.

Conclusion

Migrating to Canada via Express Entry in 2025 is achievable for qualified Nigerian professionals, but it demands careful preparation and attention to detail. Understanding the FSWP criteria, getting your ECA and language tests done early, and meticulously preparing your documents are vital steps. Pay close attention to the specific requirements for police certificates and medical exams from Nigeria. Keep an eye on the category-based draws, especially if your profession falls into Education, Healthcare, or Trades.

Always double-check requirements, fees, and proof of funds amounts on the official Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) website (Canada.ca), as rules and figures can change. Good luck with your application!