Detailed Information For Those That Want To Migrate To Canada - Part 4

These are tips to relocate to Canada if you are Interested.... Its the third and final part. You can read Part ONE and TWO  and THREE if you want....

Today I will explain the Provincial Nominee Program (PNP), it has helped a lot of persons relocate as well. EE favours the very young, those above 36 years wouldn't be able to amass enough points to make the cut off marks so they can apply through the PNP route.

There are ten Provinces in Canada (what we refer to as states in Nigeria) and 3 territories (the territories are frozen all year so let's focus on the provinces). Each province lists out a number of occupations that they need each year usually referred to as Occupations in Demand. They then select applicants that meet the criteria they have put in place and invite them to apply to the province for a nomination. If the application is approved (I.e all documents provided have no errors or misinformation) 600 points is awarded to the candidate and this give the applicant that had a low score before PNP a very high score. By the next time draws are made from the EE pool this individual receives an ITA. Provinces have other requirements as well. Some make it mandatory for you to have a sibling based there. You would have to do your research on each of them.

(Please read previous post for the meaning of all acronyms)
Even if you get an ITA without PNP, it's good to google which province has your occupation in demand before leaving Nigeria. This will help you know where to reside especially for those who have no contact person at all in Canada. It means there would be lots of vacancies available for your line of work in the province you find out. Don't just head to Ontario because it's the most popular and most populated. After finding out which province suits you, I would advice you start researching all about it while here in Nigeria, familiarise yourself with the government website, check YouTube for people who reside in that particular province and watch their videos even their old ones. 

Go on Google and find out the average temperatures at various times of the year for that province, check kijiji.ca for apartment rental prices so you have an idea. Relocation is like the six unit project you did in your final year at school so treat it as such. You have to invest time, energy, resources and top it all with prayers.

All the provinces except Quebec has this PNP route and you can explore it. Quebec has their own system of government and immigration. If you are issued an ITA by a province, you would still upload ielts, work reference letter, evaluated credentials and proof of funds. And a processing fee of between 100k-600k (depending on the province: with Ontario having the highest fee) will be paid before the 600 points will be given to you.


The French advantage.

Canada is a bilingual country with Quebec and New Brunswick having the highest population of French Speakers and the federal government has been looking for a way to ensure French language doesn't die out. A couple of years ago, they started giving extra points to those who can prove they are proficient in English and French as well. So someone who writes the ielts (which is an English exam) and is able to learn French and write the exam (TCF or TEF) gets extra 40-60 points depending on how well you perform.

Many persons who never spoke French before have used the situation in Nigeria as a determination to learn the language, found a good tutor, spent months on it and have passed the exam. The exam costs about 200K (depending on your location in Nigeria, I hear it's 160k in Lagos, a friend of mine wrote it in PH for 190k this year) so you don't want to fail it.

My advice is first of all, use the CRS calculator to check what your potential scores would be. If it's 460 and below then prepare to go the PNP route and/or learn French.

I would advice you still learn French for your future benefit even though French is mostly spoken in only two of the ten provinces. You would have an advantage over others if the vacancies posted are for bilingual applicants, also bilingual staff in regular occupations earn more per hour than others even in the same company. To illustrate, two customer service reps in one company, one can speak both French and English and has the certificate to back it up, this individual will be paid more per hour than the other one. This is information I have been able to confirm from various provinces so have an open mind to learn French unless you're in the I.T industry or medical field as those ones always have work in Canada and earn very well.


Next is the Federal Skilled Trades (FST) route.

This is for those that own their businesses in Nigeria and want to relocate, cooks, plumbers, bakers, electricians even truck drivers are in high demand in Canada oh. Labor is very expensive there so if you're good with your hands and you have a diploma to show for it you will never be broke in Canada. Google vocational colleges in Nigeria where you can attend and get the certificates.

Those who own businesses, your business has to be registered with CAC and you will tender your CAC certificates plus tax returns over the years. It's still a points based system for FST so you will get the least point if your registration is just one year old as at when you apply. There are NOCs for all occupations, you would still need to spend time on the site to determine which is yours even for FST.


The National Occupational Classification (NOC) is Canada's national system of organizing and describing occupations. It can help you locate information about occupations found throughout Canada's job market.


Everyone let's try our best to make something out of this year. If you're certain of raising the POF from family when it is needed then take the first step and evaluate your credentials. Be committed and I'm certain when your family sees how dedicated you are they will rally round and support. It's easier and cheaper for single people to relocate as POF is less, and no added expenses to spend on family. So our young graduates that have one year NySC work experience you can use that and claim points as well. Even if you have the money and mind of going through Master's to Canada, as a single young person with at least one year of working experience I would advice you try the EE route first. 

If you get permanent residence (PR), then arrive Canada and still do your masters. The school fees you will pay as a PR is 1/3 of what international students pay.

Prices of food in Nigeria is through the roof, Yet salary is not going up. We will still pay for all these things in Canada with our heavy taxes but you get value for your money, you get a sane and secure environment.

During the lock down last year, what did Nigeria do for its citizens? Nothing! They siphoned all the funds donated and still hoarded palliatives that was freely provided for the masses.

Please and please, if you have the means or are sure of it then start something this month and it will work out rightly for us all. Amen!

BV BIANCA BRUNO .